Sensual Minimalist Apartment by Bordo Design
In one of Kyiv's modern residential neighborhoods, designer Olena Korzh of Bordo Design has created a home for her family that distills the essence of minimalist living while embracing a sense of softness and subtle luxury.
At the heart of the project is Olena's commitment to the lifestyle she and her husband practice daily: conscious consumption. "We keep only what we truly need," she says. "Our home is a place where every object has its place and function. There is no clutter - only tranquility and harmony." This ethos drove the spatial and material decisions, resulting in interiors that are pared-back yet layered with thoughtful, sculptural details.
The apartment resists the rigidity of strict minimalism. Embossed wall elements, velvet upholstery, and delicate brass lines weave tactile warmth into the restrained palette. The primary tones lean toward soft beige, enhanced by curtains that seamlessly merge with the walls. Against this backdrop, vivid accents punctuate the home: a deep green velour sofa in the living area and a rich wine-colored pouf in the corridor.
"I love minimalism, but bare walls alone are not enough for me. My eyes crave something engaging," Olena explains. "In designing my apartment, I sought to strike a balance - creating a tender interior, incorporating expressive rounded shapes and volumes, and adding a touch of color."
This pursuit of balance is evident throughout the home. In the living room, a wavy plaster relief beside the TV introduces a sculptural presence. Its form is anchored by a low rectangular element at its base, which resembles a TV stand but serves only as an architectural gesture. "In our previous homes, TV stands became either empty surfaces or cluttered storage. I realized we didn't need one at all, so I designed something purely aesthetic instead," says Olena.
The opposite wall carries another relief composition, this one accented by a mirror insert. Spanning 4.5 meters, the installation was conceived as a way to animate the expanse without resorting to timber slats or furniture panels. "I wanted something that would play with light and shadow throughout the day," she adds.
Storage was treated with the same restraint as the rest of the home. There are no traditional wardrobes or bulky cabinetry. Instead, a discreet utility wardrobe sits behind a curtain in the corridor, while the bedroom integrates concealed storage into a built-in wardrobe facade. Even the kitchen dispenses with upper wall cabinets. Despite being a passionate cook, Olena finds the lower cabinetry sufficient for her essential cookware and utensils.
Custom details heighten the home's individuality. In the kitchen and dining zone, a large plaster ceiling lamp (1.5 meters in diameter) emerges organically from the surface, requiring skilled artisans to execute. Brass lines trace the corridor's walls, ceiling, and floor, extending into the kitchen to establish continuity, while pendant lights above the dining table, designed by Ukrainian studio Babich, evoke the delicate shimmer of wheat stalks.
The bedroom reveals another layer of the project's sculptural approach. Rounded transitions connect walls to ceiling, softening the geometry of the space. A wide table, designed for dual use as a work desk and boudoir vanity, is anchored by cast-in-place concrete legs. "It was difficult to settle on the design because once the legs were installed, they would stay until the next renovation," Olena says. "But the desire for distinctive, custom-made furniture prevailed."
While the majority of the apartment adheres to a calm, neutral palette, the bathrooms diverge with bold chromatic choices. One is enveloped in terracotta-painted walls, while the other is clad in pale green ceramic tiles, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the living areas' restraint.
Touches of velvet and golden metal subtly nod to Art Deco, imbuing the interiors with an understated sense of bourgeois refinement. These accents elevate the home beyond its minimalist framework, transforming it into an environment that feels personal and lived-in, while remaining uncluttered and serene.
The project demonstrates how a minimalist lifestyle can coexist with expressive materiality and sculptural form. By weaving together functional restraint with artistic detailing, Olena Korzh has crafted a residence that is both disciplined and sensuous. "For me, it was about finding harmony between our way of life and the atmosphere we wanted to come home to every day," she reflects.
The result is a home that embodies clarity and calm, while offering moments of delight through its textures, curves, and carefully placed accents.
