two-level apartment in St. Petersburg with a total area of ​​430 m2 Natalya Panina, Daria Gorina Integral, meaningful and non-boring interior. Special effects, mixing elements from different eras - the main ingredients of this apartment

Passing the gallery

Text: Olga Gvozdeva

A photo: Peter Lebedev

Architect: Natalya Panina

Designer: Daria Gorina

Finishing work: Alexander Belik

Magazine: N4 (60) 2002

It would seem that quite recently fashion and interior existed independently of each other. Seasons alternated with enviable consistency, boutiques regulars rushed to the covers of fashion magazines, and minimalism reigned in the interiors, unshakable, like a cosmic winter But finally interiors began to appear, rejecting the principle of "deja vu". New apartment in St. Petersburg - one of them. The starting points in the search for style were the total theatricalization of fashion and fashion for fusion style. A further algorithm was constructed as follows: fusion, on the one hand, and theatrical metaphor, on the other, give rise to the “respectable kitsch” style. Under this phrase lies the combination of incompatible, mixing elements from different eras: a strict, logical classicality of the past and the eclectic, outrageous "acidity" of our modern times. Creative fantasies were seriously opposed to the old building standards, still valid. And then Natalya Panina made a radical decision, so as not to abandon the fireplace (which weight was ten times higher than the maximum allowable rate) and the staircase (which, for lack of supporting walls, had to miraculously connect the two floors). Before embarking on the project, it was necessary to strengthen the ceiling in the newly built house and solve a lot of other engineering tasks. Today the top floor with a huge glass lantern and a spacious terrace is a luxury penthouse. There was enough space for a bright living room with a winter garden, and for the workshop of the hostess, and for residential premises. Downstairs there is a music room, gym, study and guest room. When the layout became clearer, the features of the future masterpiece began to “appear”. It all started with a fireplace. Rather, with the firm conviction that the fireplace should not be large, but huge, like in the old houses of Provence. Then came the framing of his magnificent "frame" of golden smalt. It is customary to bring “trophies” from travels, but in this case their list was not limited to a set of photographs and souvenirs. Thus, stucco consoles that decorate the ends of concrete beams, were "peeped" in Barcelona. From photographs taken in the royal palace, they were recreated in St. Petersburg. Antique objects are located in this space as freely as modern furniture. The old cabinet sofa was repainted and acquired a very informal look. But not only old things were subjected to such free treatment. For example, the wardrobe from PORRO with frosted glass doors was "enhanced" with the help of a can of automotive paint. In the decoration of the music salon, any teenager will recognize the graffiti, and he will be right. The walls in the living room, at first glance covered with noble encaustic, deserve attention. But after looking more closely, you can see tiny golden patches: the gel with golden sparkles was specially brought from Israel. According to Daria Gorina, fashion has become very theatrical and this trend penetrates the interior actively. Special effects, a virtuoso combination of the incompatible - these are, perhaps, the main ingredients of this interior recipe, which bribes with its immediacy and at the same time whole, meaningful and not dull.Daria Gorina:"Each project is an expression of your own vision of the world. But every time this content takes form, which also depends on the customer. As for our style preferences, time itself requires pervasive eclecticism. Eclectics is, of course, not chaos, but thoughtful harmony".Natalya Panina: "We wanted to do something fabulous. At the same time, each of us understood the fairy tale in our own way. The result was an object that can be interpreted very differently."