Russia Houzz Tour: A Communal Room Transformed Into a Glam Studio
Once a room in a rundown 'kommunalka', this Russian studio resurrects the elegance of its pre-revolutionary history
Екатерина Перминова
25 March 2020
This studio apartment had once been a room in a kommunalka, a type of housing in which a communal apartment was shared by several individuals or families, often with one family to a single room. Kommunalki were especially common in the Soviet period, though they still exist in Russia today. This room had already been converted into an independent apartment by the time it was acquired by its current owner, and it was ripe to renovate.
Images by Maxim Maximov
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: The owner currently rents out this studio apartment
Location: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Size: 33 square metres
Designers: Andrey Simonov and Ekaterina Savenko, AI interior studio
“The structure and walls were in good condition, but the same could not be said for the pipes and wiring,” says Ekaterina Savenko, one of the interior designers. “We redid the partitions, dismantled the old ceiling and raised it by 15 centimetres, replaced all the plumbing and wiring and increased the incoming power. In addition, we gave up the gas [stove].”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: The owner currently rents out this studio apartment
Location: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Size: 33 square metres
Designers: Andrey Simonov and Ekaterina Savenko, AI interior studio
“The structure and walls were in good condition, but the same could not be said for the pipes and wiring,” says Ekaterina Savenko, one of the interior designers. “We redid the partitions, dismantled the old ceiling and raised it by 15 centimetres, replaced all the plumbing and wiring and increased the incoming power. In addition, we gave up the gas [stove].”
This room had been part of a larger apartment with a typical layout for Saint Petersburg flats, in which all the rooms open into a common hallway. Turning this space into independent housing required a major renovation. This is rare for structures that were built in Saint Petersburg before the revolution of 1917, because such renovations are particularly difficult.
Struggling with a small floor plan? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz for creative spatial solutions and to maximise storage
Struggling with a small floor plan? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz for creative spatial solutions and to maximise storage
A floor plan showing the apartment’s structural layout and parameters
The client had specific requirements: comfortable accommodation to sleep four people, storage space for luggage, a dining/living area, a bathroom, a separate toilet and a bedroom partitioned off from the entrance.
The combined bedroom/living area and entrance hall were separated by a partition with a built-in storage unit. This storage cupboard provides space for two large and two medium-sized suitcases. Additional blankets and linen are stored at the top.
The client had specific requirements: comfortable accommodation to sleep four people, storage space for luggage, a dining/living area, a bathroom, a separate toilet and a bedroom partitioned off from the entrance.
The combined bedroom/living area and entrance hall were separated by a partition with a built-in storage unit. This storage cupboard provides space for two large and two medium-sized suitcases. Additional blankets and linen are stored at the top.
A floor plan showing the interior alterations, including the arrangement of furniture and fixtures
The studio apartment is located near the Tavrichesky Garden, within walking distance of Saint Petersburg’s main attractions. The location is priceless, but renovations here are typically long and expensive. It’s rare that renovations of dilapidated housing from before 1917 can avoid technical difficulties along the way.
“To avoid unnecessary stress, you need to be ready to replace old plumbing and wiring and update the heaters and their ducts. You should also consider inserts for mounting wall cabinets, shelves and decor,” says Savenko.
“To avoid unnecessary stress, you need to be ready to replace old plumbing and wiring and update the heaters and their ducts. You should also consider inserts for mounting wall cabinets, shelves and decor,” says Savenko.
The living area and bedroom are divided by internal glazing
The floor in the kitchen echoes the original herringbone, but instead of wood, the design team chose highly wear-resistant porcelain tiles.
They also replaced the gas stove with an electric cooktop after finding it difficult to get permits for their proposed design solution. Although this swap is not technically difficult to implement, it takes time and effort to coordinate.
They also replaced the gas stove with an electric cooktop after finding it difficult to get permits for their proposed design solution. Although this swap is not technically difficult to implement, it takes time and effort to coordinate.
The grand proportions and verticality emphasise the apartment’s pre-revolutionary elegance
Due to the timing of the renovation and the limited budget, the windows were swapped out, but their original arched shape was retained. In spite of their deep sills, the three windows bring in sufficient natural light.
The partition between the bedroom and the living room was installed for decorative purposes. The most interesting solution was using sliding doors for the bathroom and toilet – they allow for free movement in the limited space.
The glazed room divider is akin to a bedroom window
Two engravings hang on the walls between the living room windows, and a larger one sits above the bed.
The client wanted the look of encaustic tiles. The idea was implemented in the entrance hall, bathroom and toilet with Dual Gres tiles. Italica interior paints were chosen for the walls.
The bathroom is small and the owner preferred to separate the toilet from the main wet space – a common bathroom layout in Russia. So they went for a shower instead of a bathtub, in a move that saved valuable space.
A contemporary colour scheme peps up the petite bathroom
Ekaterina Savenko, who worked on the redesign, pictured in the studio apartment
Your turn
What do you admire about this studio? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Love clever international design? Don’t miss this Spain Houzz Tour: The Delicate Renovation of a Village Home
Your turn
What do you admire about this studio? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Love clever international design? Don’t miss this Spain Houzz Tour: The Delicate Renovation of a Village Home
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Gorgeous! Great choice of colours, absolute beauty!
Very well configured space. The three windows and the high ceiling really define well the space. The glass partition also guides the traffic between bathroom/WC to the wardrobes in the hallway.
Great job!