A Midcentury Aesthetic Brings Out the Best in This Circa-1900 Apartment

Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar
·5 min read

YEVHENII AVRAMENKO

Meet Ukrainian fashion director Gennadii Pyvovar, and it’s hard to believe that he has experienced—and continues to experience—the hardships of war. He leads an active social life, never misses a day of work, and fearlessly lives in Kyiv’s historic city center, close to cultural and architectural landmarks like the Kyiv Opera House, the National Museum of Natural History, and the Saint Sophia Cathedral, among many others. “It’s what keeps me going, the routine,” says Gennadii, who created his new normal a few years ago after buying an apartment in a circa-1900 building in the heart of Kyiv.

A large library houses Gennadii’s book collection, while a Snoopy lamp by Flos, rested atop a corner table, adds a pop of color. The black wall light is the North 5635 by Arik Levy from Vibia. Petit pl1 lamps from Ideal-Lux are the fixtures of choice for the ceiling.
Cocooned in sage walls, the entrance is a tranquil realm that serves as a prelude to the corridor beyond.
Cocooned in sage walls, the entrance is a tranquil realm that serves as a prelude to the corridor beyond.
YEVHENII AVRAMENKO

Still, there was nothing normal about this apartment. “The place needed work,” Gennadii shares about the space, which had remained untouched for years. Enter architect Maksym Dietkovskyi of Kyiv–based design practice Modektura Studio, whom Gennadii found on Instagram and trusted to restore the home. “I loved his work and knew he could work his magic,” adds Gennadii.

If the corridor is anything to go by, it’s safe to assume that the home doesn’t have many doors. “We used arches to maintain zoning and serve as both connecting and decorative elements,” says Maksym, who turned the corridor into a luminous gallery with a Nostalgia sculpture by Dmitriy Grek and paintings by Kristina Otchich. A trifecta of PH pendants by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen haloes the passageway.

And so Maksym did, work his magic that is. “I thought about how to make the interior unique and let Gennadii’s personality shine through,” says the designer. That the apartment also boasted ample natural light, high ceilings, and a spacious hallway-gallery added to its unique charm and helped set the stage for a midcentury aesthetic (which is what Gennadii requested). “We weren’t aiming for perfection. We chose colors and finishes that felt historic like the home itself,” explains Maksym, who achieved a rustic effect through a palette of toned oak, marble, stainless steel, and brass. He also introduced texture by incorporating sand into the terrazzo flooring, and embedding marble chips into the mineral plaster on the walls. “Through deliberate imperfections, we wanted to highlight the industrial charm of the residence.”

A diptych by Rostyslav Zavhorodnii overarches the range.
A diptych by Rostyslav Zavhorodnii overarches the range.
YEVHENII AVRAMENKO
In the kitchen, Maksym opted for midcentury-inspired stainless steel cabinets to enhance light and airiness. “They keep appliances out of sight,” he notes.
In the kitchen, Maksym opted for midcentury-inspired stainless steel cabinets to enhance light and airiness. “They keep appliances out of sight,” he notes.
YEVHENII AVRAMENKO
The dining area basks in natural light, thanks to windows that stand in for walls. A Rey chair by Hay and other seats in various shapes offer a cozy, casual feel. Hay’s Nelson Saucer Bubble pendant crowns the setting.

Although the home nods to midcentury style, it isn’t entirely inspired by the past. Gennadii and Maksym sought to pair contemporary elements with classic 1900s design pieces, such as vintage Cassina chairs, Porro and B&B Italia furniture, and lights by Louis Poulsen, Flos, and Vibia, to keep the space rooted in the present. “Together they evoke an airy atmosphere,” says Maksym, who also made sure to create a large library, open shelving, and pedestals for Gennadii’s collection of art and vintage treasures. “We did everything in our power to draw in the sun,” he adds. For starters, the designer opted for a stainless-steel kitchen to let in more air and light, and hid all necessary appliances behind glossy façades. He also turned the balcony into an extension of the dining room by installing a modern glass system and introduced colorful glass wardrobe shutters in the bedroom to promote natural light.

In the bedroom, a Mondrian-inspired glass partition covers the wardrobe, admitting light through colorful fluted glass panes. “The bedroom is the most colorful room; the hues change with the light,” says Maksym. The bed is Porro’s Shin by Piero Lissoni.
In one corner of the bedroom, a Fox lamp by Nemo Lighting illuminates a bench, offering a cozy perch for reading.

Admittedly for Maksym, memories of this project will always be marred by the war. “Unfortunately, the implementation was very difficult because there were several military attacks on the city during construction,” he explains. “We had to adapt to working during air raids; with less manpower, power outages, and heavy city traffic; and dealing with delays in material supplies due to closed borders. These circumstances primarily affected the timeline, and we had to work hard to ensure that the original design was realized without any compromises.” He also points out that he now has fewer projects in Ukraine than he did before the war and is open to new opportunities overseas. As for Gennadii, the home serves as a sanctum removed from the ravages of war. “Maksym really breathed new life into the home,” he concludes. “It’s an oasis that helps me find peace everyday.”

Emphasizing functionality and practicality, the small bathroom boasts hidden cabinets behind wooden panels. Terrazzo on the floor extends to the walls, cutting a contrast to the marble sink.
Emphasizing functionality and practicality, the small bathroom boasts hidden cabinets behind wooden panels. Terrazzo on the floor extends to the walls, cutting a contrast to the marble sink.
YEVHENII AVRAMENKO

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest

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