Living with colour

In Moscow, fashion designer Ksenia Chilingarova’s home – created by Harry Nuriev from Crosby Studios – combines historical Russian references with contemporary art

- KARINE MONIE

When two creative minds meet and collaborate on a project, the result is inevitably one-of-a-kind. A case in point is the Moscow apartment of fashion designer Ksenia Chilingarova, who trusted Harry Nuriev from Crosby Studios to make the spaces visually daring yet sophisticated.

“I met Ksenia through a mutual friend, and we had an immediate connection based on similar tastes in art, design, fashion and architecture,” remembers Nuriev. “She was open to my design approach, and I had a feeling that [it was] going to be a great collaboration.” The Russian-born Moscow- and New York-based architect and designer had carte blanche to transform the blank apartment into a kaleidoscope of colours and a true reflection of the owner’s personality and style.

Located in the Kutuzovsky district – an historical area near the city centre with beautiful post-war buildings – the 280-square metre home was not an easy find for Chilingarova. “I had been looking for a big apartment for a long time, because I realised at some point that I need more space for myself,” she explains. “It is difficult to find large spaces with high ceilings and an abundance of natural light in the centre of Moscow. That’s exactly what I found in my new apartment, which is why I fell in love with it. I also wanted [to have] lots of walls to hang beautiful artworks on and a large dressing room. All of that came together [here].” With two bedrooms (master and guest), two bathrooms, a living room, a separate kitchen and a study, the feeling of spaciousness is present in every corner of the apartment.