Houzz Tour: This Guest House Draws Inspiration From Russian Art
This elegant guest house outside Moscow interprets traditional Russian art and folk motifs through a modern lens
This story of this renovation started a few years ago when designer Dina Kostochka had finished one of her first major projects in the Kaluga region, just outside Moscow, Russia. Some visitors to the house she’d designed liked her work so much they asked for her contact information.
These new clients wanted Kostochka’s help designing a guest house on their property. The small log structure had already been built, but the owners didn’t know how to approach the decor. Kostochka suggested working from the outside in, starting by painting the porch a bright blue that looks good in both summer and winter.
These new clients wanted Kostochka’s help designing a guest house on their property. The small log structure had already been built, but the owners didn’t know how to approach the decor. Kostochka suggested working from the outside in, starting by painting the porch a bright blue that looks good in both summer and winter.
Pleased with the look of the porch, Kostochka moved on to the shutters. “Looking at old photos, we saw a house in the background of a photo that had similar shutters, and we decided to copy the look. They look very modern, though they don’t hide their historical inspiration,” the designer says.
The porch is not enclosed, so the owners only relax here in the summer. They usually bring the foldable wrought-iron chairs inside as soon as winter weather arrives. Birch stumps from the neighbour’s property serve as tables. “These stumps were lying around on the neighbours’ property behind the fence, and when we asked if we could have them they were happy to give them to us,” Kostochka says.
“Lots of the neighbours were actively interested in the process and even helped however they could: One person brought apples for the decor, and someone else brought rowan berries,” the designer says. Rowan berries figure widely in Russian art and folklore, so they’re a good fit with the home’s historic atmosphere.
See these fabulous outdoor seating arrangements
“Lots of the neighbours were actively interested in the process and even helped however they could: One person brought apples for the decor, and someone else brought rowan berries,” the designer says. Rowan berries figure widely in Russian art and folklore, so they’re a good fit with the home’s historic atmosphere.
See these fabulous outdoor seating arrangements
The house did not need a new layout or a large-scale renovation. All they did in the living room was make the wall paneling lighter and paint the floor.
The starting point for the project was a work of art, Ryabinushki ("Rowan Berries") by Marusya Solovyova, which is painted on recycled wood boards. It adorns the wall above the sofa. “Both the Russian motifs and the colour palette with its berry accents were inspired by this painting,” Kostochka says. “We wanted to create a spiritual and traditional interior but not in a completely historical interpretation. To put it simply, we avoided traditional gzhel [traditional Russian blue-painted porcelain] and Khokhloma paintings [a traditional style of wood painting].”
The starting point for the project was a work of art, Ryabinushki ("Rowan Berries") by Marusya Solovyova, which is painted on recycled wood boards. It adorns the wall above the sofa. “Both the Russian motifs and the colour palette with its berry accents were inspired by this painting,” Kostochka says. “We wanted to create a spiritual and traditional interior but not in a completely historical interpretation. To put it simply, we avoided traditional gzhel [traditional Russian blue-painted porcelain] and Khokhloma paintings [a traditional style of wood painting].”
They had planned to have local craftsmen build the furniture and work on the decor. Kostochka especially hoped to have birch bark decor custom-made; birch bark holds a special place in the Russian craft tradition. However, that turned out to be difficult in practice as skills and techniques have been lost, and they weren’t able to find craftsmen in time.
Most of her ideas nevertheless came to life: high stands for floor lamps were made by glass-blowers from the Kirini workshop in Klin, while the end tables in the living room were made by master craftsmen from Rostov. The owners already had the antique carved cupboard that now stands under the stairs; they just cleaned it and replaced the hardware.
Most of her ideas nevertheless came to life: high stands for floor lamps were made by glass-blowers from the Kirini workshop in Klin, while the end tables in the living room were made by master craftsmen from Rostov. The owners already had the antique carved cupboard that now stands under the stairs; they just cleaned it and replaced the hardware.
The dining room is embellished with more Russian motifs, as on the metal chandelier painted by artist Lyusia Goncharova. Its flower pattern echoes that of the tablecloth.
The bench was custom made by a local carpenter, who also carved the frame around the stove, which makes it look like a work of art.
The staircase to the second floor was painted a berry red.
Take a look at these incredible staircase designs
The bench was custom made by a local carpenter, who also carved the frame around the stove, which makes it look like a work of art.
The staircase to the second floor was painted a berry red.
Take a look at these incredible staircase designs
The upstairs bedroom was inspired by traditional Russian clothing: Hence the lacy canopy and the light fixture that resembles red beads. The canopy can easily be removed for washing so it doesn’t collect too much dust. The mirrored screen adds a geometric touch and protects the bedroom from intense sunlight.
See how this Russian dacha brims with optical illusions
See how this Russian dacha brims with optical illusions
The design on the wall is a reference to the decoration of St. Basil’s Cathedral. It was hand-painted by Kostochka’s In-Deco coworker, Alisa Azarova.
The bedside table is an antique chest that belonged to the clients. Its keys and locks were replaced and it was spiced up with pulls with decorative tassels.
The bedside table is an antique chest that belonged to the clients. Its keys and locks were replaced and it was spiced up with pulls with decorative tassels.
In the bathroom they went for a combination of rich green and dark reclaimed wood for the vanity. The boards are easy to remove to allow access to the plumbing. The stone sink goes well with the large sheet of porcelain on the wall.
Read more:
Famous Second Homes: The Russian Dachas
Tell us:
What did you like the most about this home? Tell us in the Comments below.
Read more:
Famous Second Homes: The Russian Dachas
Tell us:
What did you like the most about this home? Tell us in the Comments below.
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House at a Glance
Who lives here: A middle-aged couple, who often host their adult children or guests
Location: Kaluga Oblast, Russia
Size: 110 square meters (about1,185 square feet)
Interior designer: Dina Kostochka of In-Deco studio