A Writer’s Retreat: Inside Radmila Khakova’s 1930s Apartment in Kazan
A Home Rooted in Storytelling
This is more than a beautifully restored 1930s apartment—it’s a living, breathing extension of its owner’s personality. Writer Radmila Khakova has found her haven in the heart of Kazan, in a home that quietly honors the past while embracing thoughtful, modern design.
Designed for Warmth and Gathering
The interior was shaped by Artists Collaboration, a design studio that translated Radmila’s lifestyle—warm, intellectual, deeply hospitable—into space. The focal point of the living area isn’t a typical sofa or media wall. Instead, there’s a generous dining table for twelve, surrounded by stacks of mattress cushions. Inspired by a visit to the Crimean Tatar house museum, this unconventional arrangement turns the living room into a space for dialogue, rest, and long shared meals.
Color and Craft with Character
Green walls in deep olive tones give the apartment its cozy, grounded feel. Paired with vintage wood furnishings and decorative ceramics, the palette speaks of nature, quiet confidence, and literary depth. The floors—whether tiled with folk motifs or laid in rich parquet—carry the texture of time.
Rooms That Reflect a Thoughtful Life
The kitchen, while modest in scale, feels elevated through contrast: white cabinetry against a striking green marble backsplash, a slim island with black framing, and open shelves filled with handmade and collected pieces. In the bedroom, a color-blocked quilt offers a bold visual anchor atop a simple bed frame, while minimal bedside sconces keep the lines clean.
Just beyond, a writing desk faces a mirror—a subtle metaphor for introspection. Paired with a chrome-framed chair and a porcelain vase of magnolia branches, this space perfectly balances softness and structure.
A Space That Breathes Culture
Throughout the home, you feel a deep respect for craftsmanship and culture. Nothing shouts; everything whispers. From the vintage wardrobe with lace-paneled doors in the hallway to the carved wooden décor and literary accents, this apartment feels like it belongs to someone who collects experiences, not trends.
Final Thoughts
Radmila Khakova’s Kazan apartment isn’t just a living space—it’s an environment curated for creativity, conversation, and soul. With thoughtful design by Artists Collaboration, this 1930s apartment tells a new story—one rooted in history, shaped by culture, and lived in with intention.
Designer Credit:
Interior design by Artists Collaboration.
Resident: Writer Radmila Khakova.
Image Credit: Моя квартира
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