When a House Becomes Art

Minimalism and bright accents make this house resemble a work of art. However, its remarkable feature is the coziness created by authentic furniture and the vibrant colors of the interior decor.

Designer and architect Igor Lipkin, with 20 years of experience, built this house for himself, and it is evident in every detail. The style is hard to define but is closest to wabi-sabi. Minimalist on the outside, the house seems to blend into the surrounding nature.

"They showed me beautiful land near a river, and that's how the idea to merge the house and garden into a single entity came about."

In the shade of the dense trees of the garden, the house is hidden from prying eyes and literally merges with nature. Brutal stone in combination with carved columns and doors, traditional for old houses in Tashkent, creates a special atmosphere. Glazing the entire internal facade of the house to the floor made it possible to make the garden part of the interior.

"The style is based on the simplicity of Japanese minimalism, with accents from a collection of antiques and paintings that have been collected over many years in different countries, and objects made from natural materials."

The interior plays with contrasts. Black and dark gray shades of the walls border with the colors of light clay. The space is filled with unique pieces of furniture. For example, the bed in the guest room, is made from an antique carved gate. In the styling, the designer used many old Uzbek doors that were once dismantled from demolished buildings. From them, for example, it was possible to make unique cabinets, coffee tables and even chandeliers. Almost all the furniture in the house is handmade, with the exception of one brand: Timothy Oulton. Combined with vintage decor, antiques, and paintings, the interior is a harmonious blend of grotesque and cozy elements.

"I feel like a mere instrument of the creator, and I am often amazed at how beautiful it turns out. In such moments, I am genuinely happy."

Lipkin confesses that he built the house in one breath. Of course, such interiors cannot be found in mass construction. For example, one of the boldly implemented ideas is a mosaic the color of gasoline spilled on water with inserts of ceramic insects, handmade by local ceramists using the Japanese raku technique. Such walls in the house are in all the so-called "wet areas" and even in the swimming pool.

According to Lipkin, this house cannot be called a showcase of his work since all projects are unique. But this is obviously one of the best that was implemented in Tashkent.