yinjispace

INTERIOR
Alchemia Group
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

This apartment was designed as a full-time residence for a family with four children. The owner is a well-traveled woman with a deep appreciation for nature, culture and meaningful experiences. Her lifestyle and personal journey played a key role in shaping the interiors. “After living in neoclassical, Provence, and minimalist interiors, she wanted something more emotional and immersive,” says Kamilya Zhakypova. 

Designed to be a “city within a city,” the residential complex of Esentai City in Almaty, Kazakhstan, is one of the most sought-after addresses in the region. Situated on the city’s main thoroughfare, Esentai City has immediate access to flagship designer stores while also boasting modern architecture, pedestrian-friendly walkways and high-tech security. 

An avid traveler, the owner laid the foundation for the project through her experience of swimming in the ocean alongside majestic blue whales in Bali. “It evoked a sense of scale, silence and connection with nature,” Kamilya Zhakypova says. “The design reflects this through natural materials, tactile surfaces, soft transitions, and a strong connection to organic forms and light.” From a neutral, modern shell, the designer transformed the home into a calm, enveloping and deeply relaxing space that makes the owner feel as though she is on holiday every day. 

The apartment is anchored by a palette of warm, earthy tones — sand, clay, soft beige, and muted greens — designed to evoke a natural, sun-warmed environment. The sensory experience is further heightened by a commitment to tactile, honest materials. Decorative plaster, natural stone and linen are layered with hand-selected wood to create a sense of groundedness. 

While the apartment functions as a modern residence, its features lean toward the sculptural. Arched doorways and openings soften the transitions between rooms, replacing sharp corners with fluid, graceful curves. Integrated, custom-designed furniture pieces merge seamlessly into the walls, blurring the line between the architecture and the objects within.

The standout element is the masterfully applied plaster that wraps the interior like a second skin. This choice serves as the hallmark of the project’s creative vision. “The use of plaster as a unifying material throughout the space best expresses my design approach,” Kamilya Zhakypova explains. “It creates continuity, softness and a tactile quality that connects architecture, light and spatial perception.” Paired with decorative lighting that emits a soft, diffused glow, these sculptural surfaces create a sense of fluidity and intimacy, allowing the space to feel serene.

The layout of the 1,507-square-foot / 240-square-meter apartment prioritizes both openness and privacy, following a fluid open plan with clearly defined functional zones, including a spacious living area, kitchen and dining zone, multiple bedrooms, bathrooms and private spaces.  In the bathrooms, Kamilya Zhakypova intentionally eliminated glass partitions, instead opting for walls and floors fully finished in microcement for a seamless, monolithic environment. “Rather than striving for sterility, we embraced natural plasticity, handcrafted expression, and the presence of material as something alive,” the designer says.>

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