My Houzz: Love Abounds in a Small London Flat
“Our house is definitely our love nest," says first-time homeowner Sabrina Kolmakov. After two years of long-distance dating between New York, Moscow, Montreal, Cape Town and Paris, Kolmakov, an attorney and a doctoral candidate, is finally happy to land in London with her husband, Sasha, also an attorney. "We feel sheltered and love our cocooning time," she says.
Their compact, renovated flat is tucked in a quiet mews that was built in the late 19th century as horse stables; it was once a creative haven for artists. The couple employed budget-friendly furnishings from Ikea and went with a neutral palette to keep the apartment feeling bright even in the gloomiest of London weather. Their goal was to assemble a house that would be comfortable for Sasha after long days of work in the city, and a place, Kolmakov says, "to feel inspired and isolated to create pieces for [my] PhD."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Sasha and Sabrina Kolmakov
Location: South Kensington, London
Size: 560 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Sasha and Sabrina relax in their bedroom, which is decorated with mementos from their international travels. Hanging above is a heart frame from Paris; springbok-hide cushions on the bed commemorate her time in South Africa.
Dresser: Alex, Ikea
The compact apartment includes this open living and dining area, which is anchored by a lavender accent wall. The papier-mâché elephant head is from Anthropologie, one of Kolmakov's favorite places to shop for home decor accessories.
Sofa: Kivik, Ikea; elephant: Savannah Story Bust, Anthropologie
"Although our flat is small, it is very functional and allows for six guests around the dinner table," says Kolmakov. "With a little glass of wine and a nice meal, we love to chitchat and share our adventures."
They snuck a bench into the dining area to add coziness. "Our favorite moments at the house are definitely our dinner parties with family and friends," she says.
The kitchen features clean, open shelving and deep counter space, which stores some of the splurges from their wedding registry, like a Nespresso coffee machine and Mauviel pots and pans.
Kolmakov added subtle touches, like a pair of lavender oven mitts, to complement the accent wall.
"As this was our first home purchase, we did not know how much to budget for furniture and decoration," Kolmakov says. "We tried to stick to a tight budget and therefore opted to get most of our furniture from Ikea."
The apartment takes advantage of the wall space; it has vertical storage in the entryway for displaying books and treasures from the couple's travels.
Kitchen table: Melltorp, Ikea
An ornate matryoshka doll and books on French politics and Russian literature adorn a bedroom shelf, reminding the couple of their travels.
The well-lit entry showcases two splurge items: a hydrangea-patterned curtain and velvet upholstered seating. Of the handmade curtain, Kolmakov confidently says, "It was worth every penny."
Curtain fabric: Designers Guild; Velvet Tub Chair and Ottoman in Marine: Oliver Bonas
Sweet reminders of the newlyweds' affection, like this small trio of wedding photos, are scattered around the home.
In the unit's only bathroom, toiletries are kept tidy and at hand on built-in glass shelves. Vertical towel racks adorn the tiny bathroom wall.
A previous owner added the deep tub and shower combination in the corner. "Despite its clever design," Kolmakov acknowledges, "it's seemingly impossible to fill up and keep warm."
Browse more homes by style:
Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes | Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes
More: Decorate With Intention: 10 Ways to Maximize a Small Space
