“The Queen's Gambit” became a metaphor for the decoration of this interior: symmetry, clear lines, clear boundaries and internal composure, expressed through architectural solutions and textures. The living room has been transformed into a graphic and modern space in which black and white, gloss and matte, mirrors and soft textures enter into a subtle dialogue.
Graphics appeared in the textured walls and the “carpet” of porcelain stoneware with geometric patterns, and the mirror panels decorating the hallway wall enhanced the play of symmetry and made the space deeper. Laconic furniture emphasized geometry: a black rectangle, chosen by the designer as a symbol of order, is rhythmically repeated in different elements of the interior.
Storage has become a key architectural part of the living room. It is assembled from Lamarty chipboard with decorative coatings in two shades - deep “Black” and soft “Hugge”. In this composition, “Hygge” became a soft accent that balanced the strict lines: a textured surface with a tactile fabric pattern visually warms the space and makes it more alive. The furniture structure stood along the wall as a monolithic composition of strict modules distributed on both sides of the fireplace box. A pair of open shelving maintains visual lightness, and closed sections provide that same “chessboard” functionality - thoughtful, flexible, logical.
The central area of the living room is built around a light sofa - an island of calm among the precise geometry. The wall opposite the fireplace is decorated with a mirrored art object created by the author of the project specifically for this interior. Living plants, including unpretentious bush palms, added naturalness and a relaxed rhythm.
In the hallway, the furniture materials echo the living room: two symmetrical cabinets with fronts in “Hygge” decor create a visual axis, supported by a black chest of drawers on steel legs. Decorative handles - as many as 64 of them were needed - lay on the fronts of the cabinets, adding a slight playfulness to the austere room.
When the order was built, it was time for the final touches. Vases and photo frames appeared on the shelves. An ironic pillow with bangs breaks the severity of the interior. The composition was completed by a poster created by designer Olga Petrova-Podolskaya together with artificial intelligence - a detail that symbolically combined the manufacturability of the project and its living, human content. It’s small touches like these that enliven a space, turning a thoughtful composition into a cozy living space.
Details of the project and video release can be found on the website of the Housing Question program. Broadcast from September 9, 2025
Project authors: Olga Petrova-Podolskaya
