"Wabi-Sabi" Apartment in Moscow, Russia

Wabi-Sabi, the Japanese aesthetic is the ability to perceive beauty in its essence. Simplicity without extravagances. Harmony of natural materials.

This small 80 square meter mansard apartment with high ceiling is designed by Andrey Gorozhankin of Russian design studio Decolieu. Called Wabi-Sabi the project involved dividing the existing space with a mezzanine to create two new children’s bedrooms and a bathroom. An additional 50 square meter second floor was added during the renovation. The walls are covered in thin layers of marble and a wooden staircase leads to the upper level. It’s done in quite minimalist style but features some vintage furniture and an amazing custom-made low curved ceiling made of lime and wax. Most of used materials are similar to those that are popular in eco-friendly construction. The accent pieces in oak are provided by a Russian designer Yuri Ryntovt. These are unique pieces, there are never two of the kind. Stripped of bark the walnut boards look at the same time rough and refined, posing both as sculptures and pieces of furniture.