A striking one-bedroom apartment perched high above Kyiv's Dnipro River has become a testament to fearless design choices and creative risk-taking. The 1,141-square-foot residence, located on the 26th floor of a building overlooking the river's right bank, was transformed by Ukrainian studio metric bureau into what they call 'The Apartment with a Lizard' – a bold exploration of color, texture, and whimsical details that blur the line between everyday living and theatrical stage set.
Designed for a creative couple and their cat, the apartment reflects the contrasting desires of its inhabitants. Svitlana Moskalenko, designer and founder of metric bureau, explains that her clients were remarkably open to taking risks. 'They cared most about the emotional experience – dramatic imagery, contrasting colors, and original ideas,' she notes. One partner, who comes from a fashion background, envisioned something with the flair of a cosmic carnival – dramatic, unconventional, and dripping with personality. The other partner sought calm retreats for quiet reflection.
The apartment immediately announces its bold intentions upon entry through a monochrome red entryway where walls, ceiling, and even the lighting are bathed in the same intense hue. This dramatic entrance feels like stepping into a room in a dollhouse, with sliding glass panels separating this punch of color from the rest of the home. The technique creates a sense of theater while maintaining functional flow between spaces.
The living area anchors itself in deep green tones, creating a striking contrast to the red entry. At the room's center sits perhaps the apartment's most distinctive feature: a massive circular opening lined in faux fur that serves both as a focal point and a meditative escape. Rather than incorporating a traditional lounge chair, this portal invites residents to lean in, look out, and engage with the skyline from their elevated perch. The 26th-floor balcony beyond is tiled in a rippling, water-like pattern that enhances the apartment's swimming pool aesthetic.
Ukrainian-made furniture brings warmth and cultural identity to the living space. A blue L-shaped sofa by SVOYA Studio provides comfortable seating, while a sculptural Woo armchair and a mushroom-like Pecherytsia coffee table add artistic elements to the room. Built-in metal shelving backed with Alpi veneer – designed by postmodern master Ettore Sottsass – creates a sophisticated display area for the couple's curated collection of books and objects, adding layers of artistry to the functional storage.
Practical details receive equal attention to dramatic ones throughout the apartment. Metal shelves recessed into the entryway walls provide organized storage for the couple's shoes, maintaining order within the bold color scheme. Just above these storage areas, hidden panels disguise easy access to the apartment's technical systems, proving that functional necessities need not compromise aesthetic vision.
The kitchen continues the apartment's distinctive design language with cabinetry matching the living area's green tones. A mirrored concrete pylon lightens the room's architecture while creating visual interest through reflection. Red Alpi veneer accents on the upper cabinets tie back to the entrance's bold color choice. Presiding over this culinary space is a whimsical portrait of a lizard dressed in formal attire – a work by Ukrainian artist Valery Kuznetsov that gives the apartment its playful name.
The dining area maintains the apartment's playful spirit with a circular table surrounded by mismatched red and white chairs. Overhead, a felt pendant lamp from Danish brand Audo provides ambient lighting that softens the bold color contrasts below. This combination of international design pieces with local Ukrainian artwork creates a globally informed yet culturally rooted aesthetic.
The bedroom transforms into a fantasy retreat designed around an oversized custom bed that provides over 75 square feet of sleeping space. Italian wallpaper by WallDeco covers the walls, while a glowing, eclipse-inspired mirror adds celestial drama to the space. A fringe-trimmed vanity and coordinating lamps enhance the room's theatrical quality, creating an intimate stage for rest and reflection. Chain curtains provide a unique transition to a sleek, all-black dressing room, adding textural interest while maintaining the apartment's commitment to unconventional materials.
Even utilitarian spaces receive dramatic treatment in this bold residence. The bathroom features contrasting cobalt blue walls paired with a striking red sink and shelving system. This unexpected color combination demonstrates the designers' commitment to carrying their fearless palette throughout every corner of the home. Practical considerations for the couple's cat are seamlessly integrated through a discreet cabinet entrance to the litter box, proving that pet-friendly design can coexist with high-style aesthetics.
The outdoor balcony space extends the apartment's aquatic theme through carefully selected materials. Seletti water-like floor tiles create the impression of walking on liquid, while black mosaic tile walls and stepped benches reinforce what Moskalenko describes as 'a swimming pool feel.' This outdoor room becomes an extension of the interior's bold vision, offering residents a private retreat high above the city.
Moskalenko considers this project one of metric bureau's most daring undertakings to date. The success of such an unconventional approach required clients willing to embrace risk and trust their designers' vision. 'It's a space where the clients' willingness to take risks allowed for an interior that is as emotionally charged as it is livable,' she explains. The apartment demonstrates that bold design choices need not sacrifice functionality or comfort.
The Apartment with a Lizard stands as a testament to the power of collaborative design risk-taking. Every detail, from the fur-lined portal to the formally dressed lizard artwork, contributes to a cohesive narrative that transforms daily living into an ongoing performance. The project proves that residential design can be both practically functional and emotionally transformative, creating spaces that serve as stages for the imagination while meeting the real-world needs of their inhabitants.
