An apartment with a marble fireplace for a professional athlete in Moscow

This interior by designer Galina Shashkova seamlessly merges aesthetics, comfort, and cutting-edge technology.

The 85 m² apartment, located in the modern Neva Towers residential complex in Moscow City, was designed specifically for a professional athlete who values a healthy lifestyle, comfort, and contemporary style. The floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows provide breathtaking views of the city, while the planning and design solutions reflect both harmony and functionality.

An open-concept layout
The client’s main request was to create a spacious, open-concept environment where every detail emphasizes lightness and freedom. As the designer explains, "the optimal solution was an ergonomic layout where the hallway flows seamlessly into the living room, dining area, and kitchen, while the bedroom is combined with the bathroom."
Careful zoning was achieved with a glass partition separating the kitchen and hallway, and a striking marble wall dividing the bedroom and living room.

The layout is further enhanced by a luxurious bathroom and a guest restroom equipped with a shower cabin featuring massage options and a "tropical rain" function. This space serves as both a retreat and a recovery zone — perfect for an athlete.

An interior mood of harmony
The concept of this project revolves around blending modern trends with elements of timeless, natural aesthetics. Materials such as wood, leather, marble, and oak parquet create an atmosphere of warmth and balance.
The color palette focuses on warm, earthy tones, which accentuate the natural textures and evoke a sense of calm.

Natural materials meet innovation
One of the guiding principles of the project was the use of high-quality, eco-friendly materials. Galina Shashkova emphasized natural stone as a key decorative element: Sahara Noir marble in the kitchen area, striking stone patterns in the bathroom, and onyx detailing in the guest restroom. A standout feature of the interior is the Tobacco Brown marble wall with a fireplace in the living room, crafted from the designer’s original sketches.

The integration of the bedroom and bathroom required careful engineering and thoughtful material selection. Natural oak parquet was installed throughout the apartment, including the bathroom. "Walking on warm wooden floors after a shower is such a pleasure," notes the designer.

The home is equipped with the MimiSmart smart home system, which controls lighting, curtains, the fireplace, the microclimate, and provides a high level of security.

Sophisticated furniture and bespoke details
Functionality and elegance are highlighted through thoughtfully selected furniture. Most of the built-in furniture, including wardrobes and the kitchen, was custom-made by Poliform using natural veneer, underscoring the interior's refined status. A nubuck sofa by Baxter adds a touch of sophistication to the living area.
Custom pieces, such as decorative panels and a vanity unit, were crafted by Walls Studio. Towering doors with bespoke frames, designed specifically for the project, enhance the scale of the space and accentuate the ceiling height.

The project was completed in just eight months, thanks to seamless collaboration between the designer and the client. The designer remarks, "The client was involved at every stage — together, we selected marble, furniture, and finishes, which made the interior highly personalized."

The result is an interior that beautifully balances functionality, eco-friendliness, and visual harmony. It is a space that relaxes yet energizes — a perfect haven for a modern athlete living in the fast pace of a big city.

Interior designer Galina Shashkova graduated from Moscow State University and later studied at the Moscow Architectural Institute (MArchI). With a career spanning 20 years, she began in an architectural bureau before founding her own studio. Her key principle is the perfect balance of beauty and functionality, enabling the creation of bespoke turnkey spaces tailored to the needs of each client.

Interior designer Galina Shashkova 

Instagram @gala_shashkova

Photo credit Evgenii Kulibaba

Instagram @evgeniikulibaba

Style by Ludmila Krishtaleva

Instagram @luda_krishtaleva