Header: Katerian Bulgakova Zurich
In central Zurich and overlooking Weinplatz, the Storchen Hotel, and Lake Zurich, Katerina Bulgakova Zurich created an atypical showroom of an interior studio. Here, the space was designed as a functional one-room apartment where guests encounter a rotating display of furniture, lighting and objects within a domestic context. The objective of the studio is to offer a slower, more situated experience of the studio’s design approach while allowing flexibility in how pieces are introduced or replaced over time.
The creation of the showroom
Original architectural details were retained and lightly treated, with the oak flooring and wood panelling having been preserved and contrasted with walls finished in a soft off-white tone that doesn’t alter the character of the building. These surfaces form a backdrop for newer elements, which include a combination of innovative pieces, vintage finds, and scaled furniture with references to Art Deco and the 1970s.
The interior creates clear spatial zones, with the most prominent division created by a custom folding screen in straw marquetry, which was produced to fit the space and act as both a visual and functional divider. Across the apartment, furniture and objects are arranged to create a lived-in style rather than a fixed display, producing a more intimate environment that better resonates with visitors.
The kitchen and restroom are fully operational, but their features are kept to a minimum, as built-in appliances are concealed and surfaces are left largely unadorned. The emphasis was clearly placed on proportion, tone and texture rather than decorative elements.
The space shows that the practical needs of a studio can be met in style, as compact doesn’t have to mean clustered. However, and more importantly, through this showroom, Bulgakova was able to show exactly the type of work she can do for clients: innovation and style always hand in hand.
