In the heart of Almaty’s greenest district, surrounded by parks and golf courses, stands a classic villa whose attic has been given a new dimension. A traveller’s flat has been created there, with an interior designed by Oksana Mazurina. The flat is distinguished by its high, slender windows, from which one can admire the peaks of the Alatau Zailijski – a mountain range in the Tienshan.
The 180-square-metre attic, which extends under a steep roof to three levels, has become an arena for gatherings – both family and those organised by the owners for mentors or friends. The austerity of the metal beams has been framed by soft suede and felt, while all the bevels and curves have been accentuated with natural stone textures and subtle linen-textured fabrics. Right from the threshold, you sense that this is about more than aesthetics: this interior is meant to connect, inspire and attract, like a cosy cottage at the foot of the mountains.
Even during the preliminary work, it was necessary to remove the old finishes and dismantle parts of the ceiling to expose the concealed ventilation and air-conditioning systems. The load-bearing elements necessitated the retention of a particular wall layout, but this gave the project a distinct character – the space flows seamlessly into zones without losing cohesion.
The first of these, the fitness area, is divided into two sections. In one, the exercise bed is exposed against an archway upholstered in warm suede. The interior of the arch was finished with a striking Patagonia quartzite tile, whose rocky, reflective surface harmonises with the delicate wallpapers from Omexco. A mirror with granite inlays draws attention to the subtle play of light, reminiscent of a river current. The second training space, with its view through panoramic windows, remained raw and open.
The guest area stands out for its elegance in tones of lavender and mint. The main guest bedroom attracts with silk wallpaper decorated with a glycine motif, while decorative stucco subtly tidies up the ceiling and walls. The classic Molteni bed has been given a second youth by the fabric, and next to it, above the dressing table, hangs a reflection welcoming the name Nimbus – a mirror by Gubi, whose light form corresponds with the flowering vines.
When designing the bathroom, the architect wanted to create a place like in a luxury hotel. She made use of stone, which covers the walls and floors of the spacious shower, while on the higher sections of the walls the contrast was recovered with structured Laminam tiles. The Antonio Lupi console, made of warm oak, completes the interior with its natural nobility, creating a harmonious whole.
When the owners asked to transform the third bedroom into a dressing room, a space like a fashion atelier was created. A graphic-textured central island – oak with metal profiles and minimalist handles – is used to review evening creations. Above it, Bolle lamps float like suspended glass bubbles.
The heart of the loft, however, is the living area, where travel memories, art collections and the need to entertain intertwine. A high-end audio system and a television occupy a wall of limestone panels, spun with sandblasting in a wavy pattern. Opposite the bar – black marble contrasts with brass finishes and soft suede modules, while a set of beverage serving equipment is hidden behind the bar. Here, a sliding door reveals the compact kitchen, where smoky mirrors enlarge the interior and expressive veining of stone evokes the power of nature.
This loft arrangement shows how classic architecture can be given a second life through bold, multifunctional solutions. In an interior where every material – from stone to fabrics – has been chosen with full awareness to emphasise the harmonious coexistence of nature and modernity .
design: Oxana Mazurina
photos: Damir Otegen
styling: Aigerim Akhmetova
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