From a Russian born design team come an Asian-inspired design that is a perfect fit with their client�s style and their art collection.
Musa softened the expanse of cherry wood in the kitchen with paper-shaded lights and slanted panels of Pollack fabric around the bottom of the bar counter. Opposite page: Musadesign�s Julia Sandetskaya (seated) and Elena Prochorenko.
The renovation of a mid-1980�s three-story Queen Anne home is a perfect example of the evolutionary nature of design. When Connie Hale and Kendall Jensen called MusaDesign they were looking for help on a smaller scale- expertise with color, furniture, room layout. But what became quickly apparent to Julia Sandetskaya of Musa, was that a full redesign of the home was in order, including removing architectural pillars that blocked light, remodeling the stairwell and the master bath, and generally making the house work the way the owners really need it to work.
With careful attention to flow and efficiency, Musa transformed the 3,600 square-foot home into a place where the clients� unique art collections (including fossils, exotic jewelry and oversize Thai sculptures) could be subtly showcased. One major design challenge was the central staircase, whose low railing and stark whiteness made the clients feel unsafe. Musa painted it a warmer, antique white ( a visual reference to the wife�s museum-quality book collection), and designed light columns and a cured metal railing to gently guide the eye. A short white wall on the landing was replaced with translucent, bendable, acrylic material embedded with grass, which also softens the descent. The master bath gained a soothing, spa-like feeling, with a walk-in shower, a new window overlooking the garden and a herringbone patterned �road� of unpolished marble. The master bedroom, which previously felt small, now resembles a peaceful Thai retreat, thanks to the newly imported ceiling cove lighting. �This is what I get exited about doing,� notes Polina Zaika, �Playing with architectural gimmicks can make a big difference.�
TEAM
Interior designers Julia Sandetskaya, Elena Prochorenko and Polina Zaika, MusaDesign, 2617 5th Ave; 425-246-8464 Musdesign.net
Mission Renovate a Queen Anne home to showcase the owner�s impressive collection of books, art, sculpture and jewelry.
Challenge To accommodate the husband and wife�s divergent art collections (his of large Thai sculptures and her of small fossils and exotic jewelry), Musa had a shelving system built into an empty wall, with movable sliding doors to accent and access different pieces.
Cost $250,000
Time Frame 6 month
Designer�s Favorite Detail The curved metal railing that gracefully guides the eye down the previously forbidding staircase.
Cool Trick The clients wanted their two Corgis to have a special place in the bedroom. Accordingly, Musa designed bed tables from sustainable coconut plywood with platforms where the dogs can sleep.