How to create a haven of tranquility – this lakeside home is a lesson in calm

This apartment is in the commune of Campione d'Italia, a small Italian town surrounded by Swiss territory. It's situated on the hillside with a panoramic view of the mountains and Lake Lugano, as well as of the city of Lugano, on the opposite shore of the lake. 

If anyone is going to appreciate those cinematic views, it's Sergey Sozanovsky, owner of one of the largest film studios in Ukraine and his wife Iryna Kostyuk, who is a TV and film producer, who use the apartment for vacations with friends and family. 

The lake views alone make this one of the world's best homes, but when you factor in the apartment's interior design by the couple's friend, interior designer Yana Molodykh, you realise it's very special indeed. She shows us round, sharing her hints on how to create a haven of tranquility as she goes. 

Designer Yana Molodykh came on board relatively late on in the process, in 2020, when the main works were almost finished.

'It was agreed from the very beginning that I would be in charge of the decoration process, as I know my friends’ tastes and preferences,' says Molodykh.

The designer's living room ideas were about working with the existing footprint, and that view of course, but developing the sense of calm. 'I wanted to soften the atmosphere and introduce some coziness, so I chose objects with rounded shapes and added some tactility to all rooms through textiles – cotton with silk, wool, carpets and cushions,' says Molodykh.  

In pride of place on the bookcase is a golden eagle vase by Natura Ceramica, a Ukranian studio, now based in Amsterdam. 

'I was inspired by the scenery outside the window: the water, the sky and the mountains – which have different colors depending on the seasons – the roofs; and the bell tower in the valley; as well as my clients,' adds Molodykh, who believes that reflecting the natural world and views in the interiors adds to sense of being at one with the world and aids relaxation. 

Her furnishing choices are full of natural references, as she explains: 'The Ochre chandelier (seen in the opening image) evokes the fish jumping out of the lake; the CC Tapis rug looks like circles on the water from a raindrop; and the fluffy Edra Cyprus sofa reflects the clouds floating outside the window, and which often "cling" to the mountain.'

Yana Molodykh

Yana Molodykh's inspiration for the interiors in this Italian lakeside home came, as with many of her projects, from the natural landscape outside. She is also inspired by great art and architecture, and by her travels around the world. Sourcing works of art and commissioning Ukranian artisans for this apartment was a real joy, she says. 

This area of the living room is used for watching TV, but also for admiring the sunset over the lake. The Edra On the Rocks sofa is perfect for both activities, with its options for sitting in opposite directions. A Bolia coffee table, Gan Rugs carpet, Gubi floor lamp, and Rossana Orlandi mirror complete the scene. 

The smart kitchen-diner is on the lower floor of the apartment. Here too, natural, organic materials create a sense of wellbeing. 

'My clients wanted to bring a piece of our culture to their Italian apartment so we decorated each room with objects made by Ukrainian craftspeople and artists,' explains Molodykh. 

Kitchen ideas include a custom dining table made by Vasko Sotirov. The tabletop is made of 200-year-old oak, which grew on the territory of an estate near Verona. Other key furnishings include a vintage Turkish carpet, vases by Ukrainian ceramic workshop Gorn ceramics, and an Atelier Areti lamp. 

The simple, pared back bedroom ideas for the main bedroom on the upper floor are designed to let the lake and mountain view do the talking. The bed is by De la Espada. 

It's not hard to spot the natural theme in the couple's daughter's room. Calming blues and neutrals again reference the lake to create the most relaxing setting for a good night's sleep.  

The bedside table is by Kartell, the lamp from &tradition. 

For a home where the views are all important, a balcony space to enjoy them was just as important. Wrapping round two sides of the apartment, the balcony includes comfortable seating areas, as well as this bar stool perch. 

Like the apartment's owners, designer Yana Molodykh is delighted with the way the home has evolved organically, embracing the landscape and creating a calm sanctuary and retreat for all who are lucky enough to stay here. 'I kind of built a nest,' she says. 'because the symbol of this family is a bird, a wagtail, in fact.' 

It looks like being a nest they will return to over and over again, whenever a touch of calm is required. 

Interior design: Yana Molodykh Interiors

Photographs: Vigo Jansons