The graphic apartment of 40 sqm by decorator Margo Terentyeva

Located in one of Moscow's new residential complexes, the modest 40 sqm studio belongs to decorator Margo Terentyeva. The owner herself crafted the design project from scratch, devising a concept for the space that features an open floor plan.
Dwelling includes an entry area, a living room combined with the kitchen, a master bedroom, and a bathroom. "The apartment began as a bare concrete shell, which I transformed to suit my preferences and lifestyle, emphasizing a separate bedroom, a combined living and kitchen area, and a spacious, airy feel," shares the project's author.
A large window between the bedroom and living room allows daylight to penetrate everywhere. The home also boasts many vintage mirrors. "I love how the interior windows and mirrors function. It was possible to create a changing, airy, even cinematic space on a simple square plan," notes the interior designer.
The restrained palette was deliberately chosen, as Margo, a professional decorator and photographer, needs to unwind from the bright kaleidoscope of her workdays. "I call my apartment 'The Dark Side.' Firstly, because of the palette that includes saturated blues and grays in the bedroom, checkered black curtains in the kitchen area, coal-colored ceramic tiles in the bathroom, and floor tiles with stars like in a night-time fairy tale. Secondly, here I can be myself, relax, and dream. Of course, where there is a dark side, there always is a light side too, hence the contrast on the edge of black and white became the main decorative theme," Margo explains.
The primary shade of white in the interior is called "cosmic dust," the bedroom's palette resembles the color of the Atlantic Ocean, the almost black bathroom mirrors the night sky, and the transparent blue doors add a special charm to the rooms.
Margo chose comfortable and lightweight furniture, arranging it to ensure there was enough free space for dancing and yoga, socializing with guests, and playing with her beloved dog. For example, the wardrobes in the hallway and the large chest of drawers in the bedroom were custom-made and painted the color of the walls to visually blend in.
The decorator seamlessly integrated a vintage dining table and chairs into the interior, as heirlooms from her grandmother. "As a little girl, I rode my tricycle around this table at my grandmother's house in Lithuania. The dressing table is also from there, and the oval mirror now hanging in the kitchen was inherited from another grandmother," emphasizes the project's author.
The interior's style is complemented by vintage lamps. Artworks gracefully enhance the space: graphic works by French artist Emmanuel Sanz Azcona, photographs taken by the apartment's owner, the antique engraving "The Great Cypress," several pieces by artist Yuri Tsvetaev, and graphics by Dudi Sarabjanov.
"Ultimately, I managed to create a feeling of simplicity and freedom, a salvational void, and balance, just as I wanted," concludes Margo Terentyeva.

Interior designer Margo Terentyeva
Instagram @margo_terentyeva

Photo credit Nathalie Gertz
Instagram @nathalie.gertz