WS House is a residential project located in Kyiv, designed by Men Bureau. Men Bureau is a Ukraine-based multi-disciplinary design firm who creates interiors for private and public use. The project was started with a desire to connect with nature and to escape from the city on the weekends, but it turned into a need thanks to the pandemic. It became a spot for taking a fresh breath for the clients when they are in need to escape from the overwhelming atmosphere of the quarantines. All the natural color and materials that have been used serve the purpose of connecting with nature and make the design blend in nature.
Men Bureau’s design process starts with getting to know the house and their clients’ expectations. This leads them to a direction where they create not only aesthetic but also functional designs for their clients. They believe that interior design should improve people’s lives, so they adapt the house to their clients’ desires. In this case, their clients’ desire was a getaway house in nature, so they turned their dream into reality and they also created a timeless design by combining modern pieces with natural elements.
Bocci 57 pendant light is the catchiest detail of the living room with its 25 lights dangling from the ceiling. Its asymmetrical form draws attention in a modest way through a minimal design. It provides a precious look to the design and in this way it serves its purpose in the best way possible as it was preferred especially for decorative purposes. On the other areas, ceiling lamps appliques have been used for functional purposes and this creates a harmony with the places’ minimal design. What makes the difference of the design is contrast of raw and glazed ceramics as a hallmark of the Wabi Sabi style. Other distinctive details have been provided with rounded corners to various areas and a large number of circles and arcs but also with decorative details. Bardot armchairs by Baxter and “Ghost 20” by Gervasoni are the other details that make the design timeless. All kinds of electronics have been avoided purposely to create a silent and peaceful room. Metrica Bookshelf by Mogg provides a dynamism just like Bocci 57 pendant light. Another catchy detail of the living room is abstract painting over the fireplace by Ricky Hunt as it brings a color to the living room and catches the eye through a neutral color palette. This neutral color palette also creates a silent atmosphere as well, just like the rest of the house.
Arrow and Median Sconce lamps by Apparatus, Conference Chair by Pierre Jeanneret, and House chair by Liam Mugavin have been used to add personality to the design of the kitchen. A dark timber veneer for the cabinetry, dark stained walnut, antique brass, and natural textiles that have been used for the material palette give an elegant look to the kitchen and keep the focus on main elements. Enhancing the amount of natural light enabled using a darker color palette.
The bathroom offers a rustic warmth, tranquility, and natural aesthetic. Like the rest of the residence, the bathroom is not only beautiful but also functional. All taps and mixers in this house were designed by John Pawson for Cocoon company. Slim Wall Sconce lighting by Articolo.
In the bedroom, The Brutus Chair designed by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl, which creates a unique surface texture and emphasizes the fine balance between soft architectural lines and organic curves. “Column Sconce” in oxidized oak designed by New York-based design studio Workstead. The home needed to deliver a slower rhythm and tune in with the environment, that’s why each space was planned carefully in the best way possible. Each space of the house is in a great harmony that gives a perfection created through imperfections.
