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    A mid-century spirit revisits the Autograph Home in Switzerland as Alexandrine Lukach of Intemporary Design Studio curates this apartment

    JUL 14, 2021 | By Saloni Rege
    An additional dining nook in the kitchen features vintage chairs, an Italian rattan table, metal shelving housing antique artefacts, wall art print by FradinaArt and a Pholc lamp; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi
    The main bedroom is decked in an Olga Fradina wall print, 1960s wooden bedside table, a collectible design lamp from the remains of the Soviet auto industry by Tasha ORO and a hemp fur bed cover from DevoHome; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi
    A dedicated part of the living room houses the study area that comprises a 20th century classic desk, a study chair by Philippe Starck, a modern handmade rug by ZV’YAZANI and a vintage 1980s shelving rack. Towards the right is a Poppy Lawman bench and a vivid, modern painting by Alexandra Gromova; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi
    An IKEA bed, a Zanotta chair, a mid-century floor lamp, graphics by Olga Fradina and 1960s vintage prints embellish the daughter's room; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi
    A vintage dresser is paired with wall art by Olga Fradina and a part of the African chair in the daughter's room. Also, a modish study desk is set against a curtain backdrop that uses Pierre Frey fabric; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi

    Coined as the Autograph Project, the 1,076 sq ft two-bedroom rented apartment has been decorated with vintage charm by interior designer Alexandrine Lukach of Intemporary Design Studio. What started out as a revamp project to create a student-friendly living for the designer’s kids, extended to a full-fledged home as the pandemic struck in.

    Located in Lugano, a small town on the shores of the eponymous glacial lake that borders Italy and Switzerland, the apartment is encompassed with a Mediterranean character and an impressive, varied nature.

    “This gorgeous part of Switzerland became a home for my two adult children who moved here to finish their education. Initially, this unfurnished house only consisted an equipped kitchen. Since both my kids adhere to the principles of ethical consumption, we decided to refurbish the apartment in elements that were bought at flea markets and from vintage shops, collecting charitable funds from their sales,” explains Lukach, founder of Intemporary Design Studio.

    Bedecking the entrance passageway is a huge wall art composition of multiple socks in a totem figure by Oksana Levchenya; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi

    In an attempt to give a second life to decor objects as well as providing social support to local communities, the flat has been rendered in minimal furniture and artefacts. As the pandemic demanded, the designer has further transformed the design narrative to suit all the family members, creating a modern space with assemblance of European vintage, inexpensive mass-produced items and design rarities.

    Antique pendant lights, wooden stools and a sleek, metal figurine in painted rebar by Pierre Grumbacher highlight the passageway; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi

    The designer reveals, “In creating this interior, I started from understanding what each member of my family needed in new circumstances. At the same time, I had no stylistic limitations. Therefore, the decorating process was an act of pure creativity!”

    A curved Poppy Lawman bench is paired with a customised grey sofa and split level, chic coffee table in the living room; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi

    Owing to the leasing terms that did not permit change of colour and materials for walls and flooring, a pristine white wall engulfs the entire abode, acting like a canvas to embrace a combination of textures and fabrics that render depth and sensuality. A mid-century vibe envelops the space, lined with shades of wood and monochromes.

    Vintage accessories settle on the split level coffee table, accentuating the subtle yet lively living area; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi

    Upon entering the apartment through a foyer, a spacious living and dining area comes in sight. Exuding a cosy yet airy vibe, the space radiates a certain quality of lightness, which is further preserved and enhanced by artworks from Ukrainian artists and creative objects. Splashes of colour pops accentuate the otherwise subtle space.

    A modish accent chair sits in the foreground while the dining backdrop displays a composition of three art works: a modern Ukrainian graphic by Olga Fradina, а sketch from the 1920s and a vintage oil still life; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi

    The main characteristic of this space is its stability. At the functional level, no structural changes have been incorporated thereby retaining it’s soundness and integrity. Lukach adds, “I had to work within limitations, which indeed has been a challenge. But for me, it’s always a reason for creativity to thrive! Here, I have only worked with decor and accessories to stylise the apartment.”

    The dining ensemble uses Cesca S32 dining chairs by Marcel Breuer for Thonet, a 3 meter long custom-made wooden table and a metal sculpture ‘Dream’ by Pierre Grumbacher; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi

    Undoubtedly, the most essential and interesting component of the apartment is the bountiful variety of art. The designer believes that if not for art, the faceless abode with a conventional layout wouldn’t have been a very livable and homely space. Art and artefacts have brought in a lot of emotions and crafted a distinct atmosphere within each room.

    Merging seamlessly with an additional dining nook, the kitchen radiates a pristine white ambience; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi

    Ukrainian art forms a crystalline grid that ties the whole house together, with each of the accents chosen by heart. The abode features Oksana Levchenya’s large, customised collectible art that’s made of multiple different socks, gracing the hallway in a unique totem composition. Also seen are paintings by Alexandra Gromova.

    A cosy dining nook in the kitchen features vintage chairs and an Italian rattan dining table with glass top. Artwork by FradinaArt, pendant lamp from Pholc and curtains from Pierre Frey fabric embellish the space; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi

    Witnessed throughout the house are monumental sculptures, bespokely crafted in painted wire! Swiss artist Pierre Grumbacher has further set the graceful and light tone of the space by infusing it with wire figurines that certainly stand out as a unique form of art.

    A mid-century floor lamp, Zanotta chair, IKEA bed and patterned runner spruce up the daughter’s bedroom; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi

    Apart from the ethical furniture and artwork, the apartment also houses ecological furnishings. Carpets and pillows made of Carpathian sheep wool from Ukraine deck up the fabric domain while covers from washed hemp fur wrap the old armchairs, sewed by the designer herself. “For me, the textile is also about a manifestation of ethics and sustainable thinking, about preserving traditions and touching nature,” shares the designer.

    Wall arworks by Olga Fradina are paired with vintage graphics of the 1960s to bedeck the daughter’s room; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi

    She further adds, “The conditions of lockdown and our ethical attitude towards everything, helped us to remember and master different skills that are impossible to use with brand-new things. With our own hands, we have decorated the paintings with vintage frames, stretched the canvases, sewed curtains and assembled furniture. It has been an interesting family time, working together and enjoying the experience.”

    In the main bedroom, a wicker chair and bedside tables from the 1960s are combined with a hand-made console that houses ceramics by Manako.design. Wall art print by Olga Fradina, a design lamp from the remains of the Soviet auto industry by Tasha ORO and a DevoHome hemp fur bed cover decorate the room; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi

    Punctuated with a personal touch and decor that reflects the thought process of its homeowners and is kind towards the nature, the abode is a bearer of multiple autographs—signed with love!

    Scroll below to see more images of this vintage residence, revamped by the Intemporary Design Studio…

    Adding a rustic charm to the daughter’s room is a three-legged 1950s stool, a vintage dresser with ceramic vase and glass, wall graphics by Olga Fradina and a part of the wooden African chair; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi

     

    A pair of 1950s vintage chairs are reupholstered in washed hemp fur from DevoHome, flanked by a 1960s antique torch, 1970s table and a metal and chamotte sculpture named ‘Infinity’, by Olesya Dvorak-Galik. The backdrop wall displays artwork with Chinese ink on paper by Nikita Vlasov and hoops from beer barrels. A ‘Hello’ sculpture made of painted rebar by Pierre Grumbacher decks up the space; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi

     

    A part of the living area consists of the study that showcases an antique, classic desk from the 20th century, a study chair by Philippe Starck, a vintage rack from 1980s, a pendant glass lamp from the 1970s, owner’s favourite 1960s plastic lamp from the Milan market, curtain fabric from Pierre Frey and a modern handmade rug by ZV’YAZANI; Photographs by Filippo Bamberghi

    If this vintage abode allured you in its captivating charm, then we’re certain you’ll adore this Los Angeles mid-century home by Mass Studio!