Japandi in a St. Petersburg City Apartment
In this St. Petersburg apartment, Japandi moves beyond being a “Pinterest-perfect” image and becomes a functional tool for restoring energy. There is no design meant just for the camera here — every choice supports a singular idea: creating a place where the homeowners can disconnect, slow down, and breathe. A space that can be felt, not just seen.
BN Interior, led by designer Natalia Bochina, shaped the project around trust and the fast-paced lives of the owners — a couple who navigate demanding schedules. The apartment was conceived as a personal shelter. Natural materials, well-placed vertical lines, carefully layered lighting, and storage tailored with precision all come together as a quiet support system. Here, minimalism isn’t about having less — it’s about creating a space that genuinely looks after the people who return to it every day.
Natalia Bochina had worked with the family successfully before, so the new project was built on trust from the start. With the clients’ busy schedules, she took on almost the entire process herself — from shaping the layouts to selecting lighting and finishing touches. Approvals were quick and efficient, with the homeowners trusting Natalia not only with their sense of style but also with the key decisions shaping their home.
When it came to choosing visual references, it quickly became clear that the couple was drawn to the Japandi aesthetic — a blending of Japanese restraint and Scandinavian simplicity. Minimalism, a rejection of excess, natural materials, and a calm palette perfectly suited their wish for an “information detox”. The interior is filled with sandy and woody tones of oak and American walnut, and a sense of airiness and height: vertical panels, mirrors, and “floating” doors visually stretch the space.
The kitchen-living room became the heart of the apartment. The oak cabinetry was custom-designed for the space, while upper cabinets gave way to a single thoughtfully arranged shelf, perfect for dishes, everyday essentials, and small art pieces. The layout makes moving between the sink, oven, and dining table effortless, and the vertical lines in the finishes emphasize the overall sense of lightness. Finding the right lighting took time, but the final choice — accent chandeliers by LucePlan — echoes the rounded shape of the table.
The bedroom and master bathroom continue the Japandi style, with subtle nuances. At the head of the bed, one light “slides” from the ceiling along the wall, while another sits lower, adding a clean, graphic accent. Behind the bed, custom veneer panels complement a sleek, handleless wardrobe on the right, maintaining the vertical rhythm. In the master bathroom, large mirrors at varying heights, vertical veneer patterns, ribbed tiles, and delicate pendant lights visually expand the space. With the homeowner valuing order and clean surfaces, storage solutions were carefully designed to keep the interior organized and visually calm.
A dedicated study was created for the husband’s focused work. The space has a masculine character, with horizontal wooden blinds, track-mounted swivel lights along the desk, and carefully considered functionality. Next to the study, a second bathroom reflects a more rugged style, with concrete textures and black fixtures and accessories, while the warmth of wood softens the otherwise strict atmosphere.
Ultimately, the apartment has become a true “secluded island” for its owners — a place to disconnect from the outside world. The space encourages relaxation without sacrificing functionality. For BN Interior, this project is a testament to how trust between designer and clients can create an interior that people genuinely want to live in — not just pass through between work meetings.
