Resedential

Kalinin Street, Almaty 2022

Area: 102 m²

Interior Design: Fariz Mammadov

Photography: Roman Yakunin

Styling: Fariz Mammadov, Anel Yerdenova

The project was developed: November 2021

Design completed: September 2022

Photography: November 2022

1930s Historic Apartment Renovation in Almaty — Fariz Mamedov

A 1930s Stalin-era apartment building in the heart of old Almaty. High ceilings, transom windows above the doors, open balconies with classical balustrades… What's not to love! 🫶🏻

Although the beginning wasn't quite so romantic: two separate apartments that needed to become one, numerous load-bearing walls, narrow corridors, and tiny bathrooms. I really wanted to preserve the character of this historic building while introducing a little Parisian elegance and Scandinavian lightness.

We completely reworked the floor plan, dividing the 102 m² apartment into public and private areas, restoring the original balcony details, and introducing tall doors, arched openings, decorative cornices, and a soft color palette reminiscent of coffee with milk and cinnamon.

And to keep things from feeling too predictable, we had a little fun with color: a deep blue-violet hallway, a terracotta guest bathroom, and a wine-colored walk-in closet. Much of the furniture was custom-made, complemented by pieces with history, artworks by Kazakh artists, and the owners' cherished belongings.

But my particular favorite is the bathroom with its beautiful large window! Light, delicate, filled with plants, textiles, and a sky-blue arched shelving unit that, believe it or not, appeared entirely by accident after we discovered an old chimney hidden inside the wall during renovation.

The result is an interior where past and present feel completely at ease together. Warm, cozy, a little nostalgic — and somehow timeless.

Scroll down to explore the floor plan ↓