For busy couple Sergey Sozanovsky and Irina Kostyuk, prioritising family and friends is essential to creating a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Sozanovsky, who is the owner of one of the biggest film studios in Ukraine, and Kostyuk, a TV and film producer, understand the importance of taking time to pause and recharge. This apartment is a clear response to that necessity.
Located in the region of Lake Lugano, in the small town of Campione d’Italia, the apartment is ideal for two reasons: first, it provides exceptional views of the surrounding natural landscape; second, it is situated close to Sozanovsky and Kostyuk’s daughter’s boarding school (in Lugano).
The panorama was the starting point for the peaceful interior spaces that were created by interior designer Yana Molodykh, who is a friend of the homeowners. The three of them are originally from Ukraine and have known each other for a long time, so the project came about and developed very naturally.
As soon as the structural work and larger transformations were complete, Molodykh started on the interior decoration, with one objective in mind: make sure the final result would perfectly correspond to Sozanovsky and Kostyuk’s tastes. Spread over 138 square metres and organised across two floors connected by a staircase, the apartment comprises the living room, main bedroom and terrace on the upper level, while the kitchen/dining area, daughter’s bedroom and guest room occupy the lower level.
To soften the atmosphere and introduce a warm feeling within the different spaces, Molodykh opted for a selection of curvaceous furniture pieces and lighting fixtures, as well as textures such as cotton, silk and wool, complemented with accessories including rugs and cushions. For example, the On the Rocks sofa by Edra is an invitation to comfortably sit and watch a movie or admire the sunset, while the Miraggio mirror designed by Fernando and Humberto Campana, also for Edra, looks like a piece of artwork in the living space. In the same space, the Ochre chandelier is reminiscent of a fish jumping out of the water. Two Pacha armchairs by Gubi are placed on a CC-Tapis rug that represents raindrops, while a Baxter coffee table in the lounge area is dressed with Chant D’ecume curtains by Misia in a champagne tone.
Molodykh also decided to paint the walls in a white tone, to create a sober ambience while trying to maximise the views of nature. In the kitchen/dining area, the oak table was made to measure by Vasko Sotirov and combines with ceramics by Ukrainian studio Gorn and an Atelier Areti lighting fixture for a contemporary touch.
Several very personal pieces adorn the apartment to give it even more character, including: a painting by the couple’s daughter in the powder room; a vintage rectangular mirror from the villa where the movie Call Me by Your Name was filmed, which is on the terrace; an artwork from Ukrainian artist Maria Prymachenko; and a vase by Nadia Shapoval named ‘Leleka’, which is Ukrainian for ‘stork’, a symbol representing a new cycle of life.
In every nook, Molodykh, Kostyuk and Sozanovsky took pride in honouring the culture of their country by showcasing objects made by Ukrainian craftsmen and artists. In this cosy cocoon, a couple of birds are represented, including the wagtail – the family’s emblem – and the golden eagle on the Natura Ceramica vase on the shelf, which evokes those that can be seen flying around the region.
The colours of the surroundings, which change with the seasons, were the main source of inspiration for this inviting and elegant project that not only pays tribute to the homeowners’ origins but also highlights the beauty of the fascinating landscape.
Photography by Vigo Jansons
