This is a large and bright space. Moscow designer Natalia Guseva decided in the classical style with elements of the Empire.

SALON: How did the idea of ​​creating this interior?

- After seeing the apartment, I was surprised by the rare combination of large volume and successful planning. I wanted to emphasize this volume and make the apartment even bigger and lighter: Moscow apartments lack the sunshine so much. Considering the hostess’s dream of a "flat in a big way", I opted for a classic French Empire style, where the main thing is space. To avoid the official character of the chosen style, I used it only in the decor elements, focusing attention on the details.

S: What details most vividly characterize the Empire style in this interior?

- We have turned an ordinary corridor into an enfilade, connecting the living room, hall and office, which formed a through perspective of the interior. This technique helped to increase the room illumination. Double sliding doors saved a lot of space: during the "big reception" the doors, when opened, form one large hall, which makes the atmosphere of the guests' reception ceremonial and solemn. The hall, living room and office are also combined with coffered ceilings, which smoothly turn into columns, also characteristic of the Empire. I arranged the furniture in the apartment symmetrically. Massive objects became the centers of the compositions: a wardrobe, a huge bed, a dining table ... In the study there is a fireplace made of Daina Reale marble of coffee color, decorated with pilasters, antique drawing and wrought-iron candlesticks. Completes the composition of a huge mirror, framed wrought sconces.

S: The interior has a lot of mosaics. Why?

- I really like the mosaic and how it works in space, connecting with the lighting and the color surrounding it - the so-called air vibration occurs. The whole mosaic is made of natural marble, precisely matched to the colors of furniture, wallpaper and textiles. I decided to lay out the floor of the hall in a beige-black mosaic, which is supported by transparent glass lamps. The bathroom is also entirely mosaic: a large mirror designed to give volume to the bathroom is framed with a mosaic frame and decorated with Venetian lanterns; the mosaic is inserted into the door panels that cover the shelves and technical niches; sink - and she laid out a mosaic.

S: It is known that many things you do on your own sketches. What was done this time?

- For example, lockers for the bathroom; all the doors in the apartment; kitchen forged table; chest of drawers in the dressing room, consisting of a set of drawers for storage of household trifles accumulating at home in large quantities; textile. In general, the house was very respectable. The interior emphasized both the customer’s wealth and its commitment to the Empire traditions.

Project author Natalia Guseva: "I am engaged in designing only living space: cottages, houses, apartments - and the restoration of estates. In my work I always adhere to the principle: the architectural and interior environment should be humane. Therefore, no matter what style I do the project, be it minimalism, classic or modern, I always take into account the individual qualities of a person: his psychological characteristics, occupation, lifestyle "