Explore this stylish home in Istanbul, and see how interior designer Pierre Yovanovitch proves the importance of a well-placed minimalist rug.
Pierre Yovanovitch says that there is an almost Venetian feel to this home in Bosphorus, Istanbul, due to the way it “sits” on water, the way the light reflects the water into the walls, to the way the windows give up a spectacular view of the city.
The Bosphorus is not tidal, so the water level is always very near the level of the garden, making it feel a bit like an agitated lake. It is always very busy with both local traffic and large cargo vessels transiting between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. It is a mesmerizing view.”
-Pierre Yovanovitch
The client, a young bachelor whose parents live nearby, had this house built for him on the site of a 1960s apartment building, and wanted something modern like most of his neighbours’ homes.
Yovanovitch’s job was only to create a contemporary, lively space that would fit his client’s youthful lifestyle, with lots of room for house parties and inviting his friends over, but that would transition into a family home as he grew older.
Starting with the living room, Yovanovitch placed a minimalist rug in the center of the room, immediately bringing out a more relaxing and welcoming feel to the room, making it somewhere the client’s guests can sit down and socialize while gazing upon the room’s wonderful decor.
A minimalist rug like the one in this room was placed in order to bring out the white furniture and walls, while maintaining the room’s color palette neutral and balanced, as it is typical in modern interior design.
The living room’s decor and furniture are pretty simple and sleek, which makes the usage of a simple, yet minimalist rug, as the one we see here, with clean patterns and neutral colors, a very wise choice from Yovanovitch, since it makes it stand out in a way that isn’t very loud or “attention seeking.”
In the office, the minimalist rug covers most of the room, engulfing it in all of its beige warmth, contrasting ever so slightly with the darker-toned table and chairs, making this a more sophisticated room than the others.
It truly isn’t meant to be only a workspace, but also a room where the client can relax and gaze upon the city and the sea, or into the beautiful decor in the room, such as the painting on the wall.
The minimalist rug makes the sophisticated, yet luxurious feel of this room much easier to perceive, since it isn’t there only to create contrast and complement the furniture, it’s also there to soothe and relax you in a room, that is much more naturally imposing than the others, it reminds you that you’re still safe and comfortable.
In the fireplace, the decoration is much different, emanating a much warmer feeling, making it a perfect place to sit down, relax, and read a book by the warmth of the fireplace.
The minimalist rug further brings out this feeling of coziness, as it is, much like the other rooms, in a neutral, cream color, although it has a bit more of a geometrical texture, which almost makes this room feel a bit rustic.
The furniture in this room really brings out the more contemporary feel that Yovanovitch was striving for, which gave him a bit more creative freedom when choosing a minimalist rug, resulting in him choosing a pretty bold option that somehow still felt cozy and a part of the room’s main theme.
In the primary bedroom, modern minimalism is the main theme, with white walls and neutral themes being the main focus, with a phenomenal painting depicting a forest hanging on the wall.
The minimalist rug is once again in the centralized area of the room, bringing out an emphasis on the furniture, while in the meantime making the room feel simple and welcoming.
As it’s meant to be a place to rest and relax, comfort was one of Yovanovitch’s main focuses in this room, as we can tell through all of the elements he chose, but also somewhere practical and modern, where there isn’t a lot of furniture to get in your way.
Art is also something Yovanovitch wanted to include all over the house, whether it’s via the usage of paintings, sculptures, and other pieces of decor, since the client and his family are big art collectors.
According to the client, the home is a “livable art gallery,” which means Yovanovitch’s efforts paid off, making this project a huge success.
If you feel inspired by Yovanovitch’s work in this Istanbulite home and want to try using a minimalist rug in your own home, make sure to see our collection at Tapis Studio.
Source: Architectural Digest
Photography by AD
