Russian Style in the Interior of Private Houses

Wooden houses made of logs or timber are gaining popularity in the market, and along with them, the Russian style is making a comeback. There is nothing surprising about it. The Russian style embodies ancient traditions and a rich culture, blending harmoniously with wooden structures. Such houses become works of architecture and design, offering warmth, ecological friendliness, coziness, and a unique execution.

Modern wooden houses combine centuries-old architectural traditions with contemporary technologies. Nowadays, more and more people prefer to build houses with timber rather than logs. It is economically advantageous, and the settling process is shorter. Since wood is the primary building material, the interior walls often do not require additional finishing. Therefore, it is optimal to use natural materials or their imitations for interior decoration. It’s important to note that red timber is highly undesirable in Russian-style interiors. Traditionally, coniferous species are used, as well as oak, ash, and birch. However, it should be noted that using wood for wall construction is typical for the central region of Russia. In the southern parts of the country, where there is a scarcity of this material, walls were constructed using brick, stone, or wattle and daub. Consequently, when decorating the interior of a house in the Russian style, natural stone, plaster, or limestone can be used.

FEATURES OF THE RUSSIAN-STYLE INTERIOR

Among the distinctive features of interiors in the Russian style, the following can be highlighted:

  1. Presence of a steeply pitched gable roof
  2. Presence of an unheated entryway (sentry)
  3. Elaborate carved patterns on decorative elements in the exterior of the building. Traditionally, window frames, ridge poles, roof eaves, railings, shutters, and pediments were adorned with ornate carvings.
  4. Presence of a spacious and well-lit room (gornitsa), which almost always includes a Russian stove.
  5. Ecological friendliness, with a preference for natural materials in the interior.
  6. Textured surfaces, often featuring a combination of different materials (wooden walls, tiled stoves, vibrant textiles, etc.).
  7. Vintage appeal, embracing the use of old, weathered, or antique items. So don’t rush to discard your grandmother’s dresser! 🙂

To maintain the overall atmosphere and style in the interior, it is recommended to use wooden benches. Furniture is often artificially aged. Traditional plant motifs are used in textile decoration for this style.

STYLE DIRECTIONS

From the variety of style directions, the following main ones are distinguished:

  1. “Ala-rus” or “Russian country”
  2. “Russian izba”
  3. “Terem”
  4. “Russian estate”

In recent times, the so-called Russian country style has gained the most popularity. This direction has gained recognition for its lightness and simplicity. Russian country style is characterized by the use of symbols of Rus, folk crafts, and authentic items. Among all the directions, this one is the easiest to incorporate into an urban apartment.

The “Russian izba” direction recreates the atmosphere of a rural hut. It is preferable to use log structures. There should be no excesses, extravagance, or abundance of decorative items. This direction is the most practical and strict in its design, sometimes even ascetic. It is usually used for the design of country houses, cottages, and dachas.

The “Terem” direction recreates the appearance of a rich merchant’s terem or fairy-tale princely chambers. This variation of interior design looks more magical and impressive.

The traditions of Russian land and its culture also influenced the high style of classicism. Russian classicism is also known as “Russian estate.” This direction allows for a bold combination of the simplicity of classicism with folk chic. The main feature is the combination of “foreign” details and Russian traditions in one interior. For example, it could be a room decorated in the style of classicism, with the addition of furniture, decor, and textiles with folk motifs.

So, the Russian style is diverse and vibrant. The interior of your home can be executed in deliberately rustic village style or in a solid merchant style. The choice of the final stylistic direction will always depend on the tastes and preferences of the clients. We can create a design project for a house in the Russian style according to your wishes!