An Interior with Character: Dark Tones and Refined Forms in an Almaty Apartment

This apartment, located on the third floor of the Gornoe Solntse residential complex in Almaty, unfolds like a rare vintage album. Each room, each surface, each detail invites a closer look. Spanning 96.7 square meters, the space was reimagined from the ground up. What began as a standard developer-finished unit has become a refined, deeply personal home.

Designed for a single occupant who values privacy and order, the apartment follows a clear architectural rhythm. The entrance hall flows into a concealed kitchen niche, followed by an island that defines the dining area. A calm living room opens onto a loggia equipped with storage, while the private suite features a bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, and a discreetly hidden master bathroom. Every zone has its purpose, every transition is seamless.

Color played a leading role in the design. The palette is bold and intentional, with deep, saturated tones, natural American walnut veneer, rare marble surfaces, and walls painted in custom-mixed Swiss pigments. The team embraced risk, exploring options from monochrome ivory to full black. Each iteration brought the project closer to the quiet drama they sought to create.

A key design move was the blurring of visual boundaries. The kitchen is absorbed into the rhythm of wall panels and built-in cabinets, creating a continuous surface from entrance to bedroom. The master bathroom is entirely concealed behind wardrobe doors, invisible to an untrained eye. Structural columns in the living area are transformed with sculptural bas-reliefs, and custom-designed partitions define the spaces without ever fully enclosing them.

Most of the furnishings were crafted to order. The main sofa is based on an Italian silhouette, while the bar stools and lighting were made by local artisans. The kitchen island was conceived as a functional sculpture, and the headboard in the bedroom, integrated into the architecture, is complemented by precisely placed lighting fixtures.

“We changed the color scheme several times. We debated, we adjusted the layout with the help of a vastu consultant. It was a living, intuitive process,” recalls designer Assel Baimakhan. “In the end, we created a space that is not only beautiful but emotionally grounded. It adapts to the rhythm of life rather than imposing one of its own.”