This Apartment Combines Old And New Inside A 19th Century Building

Photography by Artem Zavarzin

Designers Alena Makagon, Alexandr Ivasiv and Artem Zavarzin worked together to design this apartment in Kiev, Ukraine, that’s inside a 19th century building.

To pay tribute to the original building that features a decorative facade, they decided to add sculptural elements to the ceilings and walls, while combining it with contemporary design and furniture to create an apartment that includes both old and new.

To pay homage to the original building that features a decorative facade, this apartment has sculptural stucco elements paired with contemporary design and furniture to create an apartment that combines old and new.

Photography by Artem Zavarzin

At the entrance to the apartment, you quickly realize that this isn’t a traditional apartment. A turquoise metal house is the first thing you see. The mirrored section of the house-within-a-house is a closet and behind the closet there’s a private space for a dog house. Also hidden is the ventilation unit and the colored pipes you can see are ventilation pipes that go to the ceiling.

At the entrance to this apartment there's a small turquoise house. The mirrored section of the house is a closet and behind the closet there's a private space for a dog house. Also hidden is the ventilation unit and the colored pipes you can see are ventilation pipes that go to the ceiling.

Photography by Artem Zavarzin

In the main living area, the space feels large with the tall bright white walls and high ceiling. The classic wall designs contrast with the modern furniture and dark floors. A sculptural pendant light anchors the dining table in the space.

In the main living area of this apartment, the space feels large with the tall bright white walls and high ceiling. The classic wall designs contrast with the modern furniture and dark floors. A sculptural pendant light anchors the dining table in the space.

Photography by Artem Zavarzin

Behind the dining table is the kitchen, hidden behind tinted siding glass doors, allowing for the kitchen to be closed off from the rest of the space. On the back wall of the kitchen there’s a artificially aged mirror that hides a television behind it.

This kitchen is hidden behind tinted siding glass doors, allowing for the kitchen to be closed off from the rest of the space. On the back wall of the kitchen there's a artificially aged mirror that hides a television behind it.

Photography by Artem Zavarzin

Here’s a closer look at the details they included in the living room.

Traditional elements have been combined with contemporary design in this apartment.

Photography by Artem Zavarzin

In the master bedroom, built-in closets are located in the middle of the room creating two areas, one for sleeping and one for dressing. Hidden on top of the closets are led lights that gives the room a soft glow and eliminates the need for any ceiling lights.

In this master bedroom, built-in closets are located in the middle of the room creating two areas, one for sleeping and one for dressing. Hidden on top of the closets are led lights that gives the room a soft glow and eliminates the need for any ceiling lights.

Photography by Artem Zavarzin

Off to the side of the closets is a small area for a quite work desk with views outside.

This small work area with views outside is tucked away into the corner of a bedroom

Photography by Artem Zavarzin

In the nursery, colorful artwork has been added to the walls and a geometric rug adds a soft surface for the child to play on.

In this nursery they combine old with new. Colorful artwork has been added to the walls and a geometric rug adds a soft surface for the child to play on, white more traditional elements have been added to the walls.

Photography by Artem Zavarzin

In the main bathroom, a mural covers the wall behind the bath creating a focal point in the room.

In this bathroom, a mural covers the wall behind the bath creating a focal point in the room.

Photography by Artem Zavarzin

In the same bathroom, a vanity with sleek grey cabinetry and only two legs is attached to wall. A tall mirror helps the space to feel even larger than it is.

In this bathroom, a vanity with sleek grey cabinetry and only two legs is attached to wall. A tall mirror helps the space to feel even larger than it is.

Photography by Artem Zavarzin

In a second bathroom, a deep concrete sink appears to float and a glass shower door allows the mural to carry on uninterrupted into the shower.

In this bathroom, a deep concrete sink appears to float and a glass shower door allows the mural to carry on uninterrupted into the shower.

Photography by Artem Zavarzin

Here’s a closer look at some of the details they added to the room that show you can combine old with new.

Here's a closer look at some of the details in this contemporary apartment that combine old with new.