Rational Luxury
Toom-Kuninga Street is located between the neighborhood called Uus Maailm, and the oldest districts of Tallinn. The house is located on one of the quietest streets in the city center, away from the hustle and bustle. The residential building located in this exceptional location, has been planned by the architectural firm KTA. The interior design concept complements the unique location as well, by showing subtle hints of combining the old with the new.
Olga’s and Aleksandr’s family enjoys the light-filled four-room apartment that offers panoramic views to the elegant century-old houses of the area, as well as to the modern towers of the government building nearby. One could perhaps experience a similar ambiance in the mid-20th century New York, which was undergoing a transformation, acquiring its new and contemporary appearance.
During that time, art deco style, which had become popular already a few decades earlier, was still popular in interior design. It had brought a calmer design aesthetic, replacing the previously dominant eclecticism. But the new era added a new nuance – these were the years when the practicality and rationality of the post-war decades were replaced by hedonism and luxury in interiors. Interiors that were designed for enjoying life, relaxation, and seeking experiences came back into fashion.
This spirit has also been captured in the home of Olga, Aleksandr, their two children and their cat. The ambiance of this home is created by abundant natural light, natural wood, furniture inspired by Scandinavian design classics, lighting fixtures, and textiles.
For Olga and Aleksandr, everything was right from the beginning when it came to this house. The family was searching for a four-room apartment with a good layout. Just as important was the location because both of their children were attending school in the neighborhood at that time. However, the main driving force behind their search for a new home was the lack of space and daily quarrels about someone deciding to sleep a little longer, causing the rest of the family, who had to commute to school and work in the city center, to wait for them.
Today, one of their children is studying in Denmark, but in addition to the school being within walking distance, it was also important for the family that they could walk home from cafés or theaters in the evenings. One of the best restaurants in downtown Tallinn, Tsunft, is located on the ground floor of the same building – a convenience that is very rare in houses located further away from the city center.
Secondly, they really liked the style of the architects, with whom they were already familiar with. The acquaintance between the homeowners and the architects began years before the development of the house, and at that time had nothing to do with real estate. Aleksandr sold his car to one of the architects and when finding out what the new owner of the car was involved in, he was immediately fascinated.
Last but by no means the least important detail, was that Liven had created a complete interior solution package. Moreover, Liven offered furniture that fit the interior, so homebuyers didn’t need to search for the assistance of an interior designer. When they moved in, they only needed to unpack their moving boxes and finalize the styling: put their favorite vase and flowers on the table, hang pictures on the walls – choosing art is currently underway for Olga and Aleksandr – and hang towels in the bathroom. This was an important argument because they still remembered the months of furniture searching and the wait that followed during their last home purchasing process. This time they could enjoy their new home stress-free from the first day.
The urban and chic open-plan living room with a kitchen has proven itself to be a perfect place to enjoy dancing, whether it being alone, as a couple, or with the whole family. The youngest member of the family – their newly adopted kitten who’s soon turning one – especially enjoys running around in the spacious apartment.
Olga and Aleksandr have always had a cat, but when their previous domestic cat bought with one crown passed away at the age of 18, they had no plans to get a new one and didn’t even consider having a cat when choosing their new home. However, the home felt empty without a cat, and they set a condition that the new pet must be completely different. Undoubtedly, this sassy-looking kitten fits the bill. This city center kitty goes for walks on a leash, but makes new acquaintances in the neighborhood still with no effort.
The couple also loved the fact that whenever they had certain preferences for changes in the floor plan – for example, they preferred a solution where the toilet would be separated from one of the bathrooms – Liven’s response was always: “Yes, it’s possible!” The only addition Olga and Aleksandr made to the initial interior design plan was the electric fireplace in the living room. Although they purchased the apartment even before the construction had started, they ended up with a home they envisioned from the start. There may even be more space than they initially thought, which gives Olga the space to practice all the dances close to her heart in their open-plan living room-kitchen.
From the living room, a long white corridor extends into the apartment, leading to the more private spaces – the children’s rooms, the master bedroom, and both bathrooms. They consider having two separate bathrooms in the apartment as the greatest luxury, saving them from endless morning queues and frantic rushing. The master bedroom has direct access to a private bathroom, while there is a separate bathroom for the children and guests to use. Adding a touch of luxury, the master bedroom also features a balcony that is facing the evening sun, allowing them to admire the night sky on warm summer nights before going to bed.
Their teenage daughter knew exactly what kind of a room she wanted and furnished it entirely on her own. At first, the parents were somewhat cautious about her request since she had been just as determined to furnish her room in the previous home and had chosen heavy red curtains that didn’t match with the rest of the interior. However, this time, her room feels harmonious with the rest of the apartment, so they don’t have to rush to close the door when guests come over.
Photos by: Terje Ugandi
