Coastal Charms

Articulated with natural materials, carefully curated furniture and generous openings, this ultra-chic home is both a celebration of its breathtaking location in Balaklava, Crimea and an embodiment of the spirit of the French Riviera. ASIH JENIE finds out more.

Nestled in the sloping site with a breathtaking view overlooking a vineyard and cradled by a hilly landscape near the Black Sea, this family home in Sevastopol, Crimea, is a celebration of its location, occupants and an embodiment of the spirit of the French Riviera. The homeowners, a middle-aged couple who grew up in the city, were expecting twin boys when they bought the land. They decided to do away with the neglected 30-year-old existing house in the plot and enlisted architect Elena Pershina to design a new three-storey home and their long-time friend, interior designer and decorator Natasha Popov, to put its interiors together.

Their design brief requested a modern home with open spaces, ample light and natural materials. Growing up in Sevastopol herself, Natasha pays tribute to the coastal landscape’s beauty by drawing inspiration from the heritage of the Crimean Peninsula, its terrain, and its native flora and sea life. She combined these elements with the handmade touch of the French Riviera she often featured in her projects. Placed inside Elena’s architectural shell, the result beautifully complements the landscape.