This apartment, thoughtfully designed by entrepreneur and KIM? Contemporary Art Centre founder Zane Čulkstēna, is located in a 1909 building in the centre of Riga. With deep respect for historical heritage and a clear vision that art and good design are essential parts of the living space, this home reflects a refined interplay of past and present. The team of Krassky has played a significant role in shaping the design of the place, by offering individually selected furniture, sanitary ware, and finishing materials. As a result, the apartment gained an aesthetically nuanced interior.
Purchased during the pandemic, the spacious apartment turned out to be a real gem. Untouched by the Soviet-era remodeling, the cultural and historical details, such as the parquet floors, doors, and tiled stoves, remained in good condition. By carefully restoring these treasures of the past, a harmonious balance with contemporary values was achieved. Antique ceiling ornaments and authentic wall paintings now coexist in harmony with artworks by contemporary artists: Maija Kurševa, Ēriks Apaļais, Krista Dzudzilo, Līga Spunde and Amanda Ziemele.
Another key element here is the thoughtfully curated interior, which was executed with the help of Krassky. “The company offers an extraordinarily wide range of options and we have found many wonderful design pieces here,” emphasizes Zane Čulkstēna. Interior designer Lelde Ozoliņa has helped to select the most suitable ones from the rich selection of furniture, lighting, sanitary ware, and finishes.
As the owners wished to preserve the apartment’s original circular layout, functionality was important. Although the rooms are rather spacious, nearly every room has two doors and the antique stoves occupy a significant amount of space. To retain both aesthetics and functionality, modular furniture was an essential decision. One example is the Edra sofa in the lounge zone, which freely adapts to different spatial configurations. It features Smart Cushion technology that allows easy adjustment of the back and armrests, ensuring maximum comfort in every position. “Even though we have two small children who love jumping on it, the sofa still looks like new after three years,” notes Zane. A deep blue-grey shade was chosen from the wide range of fabrics to contrast the calm and light-toned interior.
Originally, the kitchen was set in one of the smallest rooms. To expand it, it was relocated to a large room next to the living area. In order to respect the historical character of the house, discreet kitchen furniture was selected from the brand Cesar. Its elegant design naturally blends with the aesthetics of the living room, avoiding any sharp contrasts. Metal legs of the furniture add lightness and airiness to the layout. This system is freestanding, modular, and adaptable, so the owner of the apartment has also chosen to install it in her company’s office.
Visually minimalistic dining room also serves as a library and home office. Large table is surrounded by iconic Gubi chairs, which seamlessly fit into any interior. The manufacturer offers countless options of fabrics, which allows easy customization with specific color palette and textures of each space. Near the piano, in the darkest corner of the room, the Occhio lamp Sento terra, also acquired through Krassky, stands out. “It’s a fantastic object. The lamp has two lighting modes, soft and bright, that can be activated by a hand gesture, and the design is wonderful,” says Zane Čulkstēna.
A refined atmosphere is also set by the La Plus Belle mirror by Philippe Starck, placed in the entrance area. This Krassky find creates a portal-like impression, setting a very special tone for the space. The owners have paid a great attention to details in every corner. In the master bathroom, sanitary ware by forward-looking design brand Zucchetti was selected. The walls are adorned with nature-inspired stoneware tiles from Inalco. Due to their large size (2x2 meters), the tiles are laid from floor to ceiling, creating an illusion of a solid stone, while the pattern remains uninterrupted by the joints, which is typical for standard tiles. These precise design choices in every room have created a home that is not only comfortable for family living, but also dwells with a highly aesthetical environment.
Designer: Lelde Ozoliņa
Furniture, lighting, sanitary ware, finishing: KRASSKY
Year: 2021
Location: Riga
Area: 150 m²
