10/12/2024
Interior and Design
Published in Unique Estates Life Magazine Spring 2024.
Architect Viktoria Ilieva from VIArchitects on Kapina House:
"We wanted Paris and London in this house. It turned out fantastic!"
by Maria Kasimova-Moase
photos by Kostadin Krastev - Koko
makeup by Takuhui Vezerian (Lady's Corner)
exclusive sale by Unique Estates
Design and architecture excite me, but what fascinates me the most is creating a space. I am intrigued by the story within that process. When I design a personal space, such as a home, I become a quiet and attentive listener—understanding, like a true friend, what my clients need, how they function, and how they envision their life in that space. As designers and architects we have the tools to turn dreams into reality. We visualize and bring those visions to life. It’s wonderful that today, we don’t need to chase just one style. We have such a great variety of trends and tastes to choose from, allowing clients to live the way they desire.
The starting point must be the space itself and its qualities. Next comes planning its functions—something we dedicate a lot of time to in my studio. We also follow certain principles. Our designs are noble and timeless, with spacious volumes. For us, creating pleasant proportions is essential, where we can incorporate special materials, unique furniture, and perhaps a touch of drama. If we are working with an existing building, we always demolish everything possible, down to the structure if we can, so we can experience the space without unnecessary walls, colors, or finishes. After planning comes the finishes, which are always natural and sustainable, carefully selected. Harmony lies in the careful coordination of all elements, objects, and finishes in the project.
Elegant comfort through curated lenses. I always start with classical design as a foundation. I love Coco Chanel's apartment in Paris, with its elegance, precise glamour, and emotional, antique objects rich with symbolism. I had that idea when I started this project. My clients wanted a home that felt like a luxurious, artistic Anglo-Saxon house with a contemporary twist. We wanted to merge Paris and London, and it turned out fantastic! We had beautiful spaces and a garden surrounded by century-old trees. The view of the mountains and forest is like gazing at a masterpiece. It was necessary to find a delicate balance and harmony.
We used noble and natural materials. Diverse geometry, sparkle, mirrors, plush, crystal, plaster ornaments, stone, brass, and chrome—some masterpieces, like Salvatori marble, for example. The installation and attention to detail were executed with perfect precision. We work with an incredibly talented team of craftsmen, sculptors, and artists, to whom we owe so much. Our approach is collaborative, with ideas exchanged between our team, clients, and contractors. This created a project that is unique in both style and character.
This elegant house, for sale in the Bistritsa area of Sofia, has a built-up area of 500 sq.m. and is situated on a large plot of 2,083 sq.m. with a beautifully landscaped garden. It was designed with exceptional taste by architect Viktoria Ilieva and VIAarchitects, being inspired by modern English and French concepts. The first of its three levels features a spacious living room, dining area, open kitchen, relaxation zones, and a veranda surrounded by greenery. The second floor offers three bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, and a walk-in closet in the master bedroom. The ground floor includes an open-plan living area, a second dining room, a second kitchen, relaxation zones, a wine cellar with a capacity of up to 1,000 bottles, a gym, and a bathroom. There is a four-car garage, as well as outdoor parking for an additional 4+ cars, a Yamaha Grizzly 700EPS, and snow-removal equipment.
A fashion photoshoot made possible with the help of "Vitosha Sports Cars," the official representative of Porsche for Bulgaria. The model is the Porsche Panamera 4.
Location: Kapina House, part of the luxury property portfolio of UNIQUE ESTATES
French chic cannot be described. There is no word for discreet elegance, the ability to be noticed without screaming for attention. Style lies in the courage to experiment. Elegance is in the courage to remove elements until the image becomes perfect. The French know it...
*Literally "I don't know what" – a French idiom meaning "something that cannot be exactly described," "something for which there is no word."
photographer Kostadin Krastev – Coco
stylist Stoyan Apostolov
make-up Eliza Popova
hair Nikol Stoyanova (Lady's Corner)
models Radiana Miankova and Georgi Nikolov from Ivet Fashion
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