February 18, 2026 | DESIGN & INTERIORS
the ART of BEING ECLECTIC
words OB + Noah Mercer
photos Sergey Krasyuk
styling Yes We May
Overlooking the sweeping skyline of Moscow, interior designer Julia Gorshkova has crafted an apartment that feels both cinematic and composed. Framed by panoramic views of Poklonnaya Gora and Victory Park, the residence blends classical poise with contemporary ease. Inside, a bas-relief of running horses nods to the nearby Triumphal Arch, while coffered ceilings, delicate moldings, and French parquet flooring create an atmosphere of eclectic elegance— a dialogue between context, emotion, and timeless design.
A VIEW THAT SHAPED THE DESIGN
What was the starting point behind “Eclectic Elegance – An Apartment for a Young Woman”?
The starting point was the view itself. The panorama of Poklonnaya Gora and Victory Park became both backdrop and protagonist. The design was conceived not to compete with the view, but to amplify it — every axis, symmetry, and element was shaped to embrace that horizon.
The bas-relief of running horses is striking. How did the nearby Triumphal Arch shape this idea?
The Triumphal Arch has always embodied movement, victory, and grace. Translating that into the living room, the horses became a symbolic echo — a reminder that architecture is, at its best, a dialogue with history. The bas-relief anchors the interior to its setting, allowing the space to carry fragments of the city’s memory.
What led you to bring a distinctly French atmosphere into a Moscow home?
Parisian parquet, delicate moldings, the rhythm of coffers — these details carry an understated elegance. Bringing them here wasn’t about imitation but resonance: a way to enrich a Moscow interior with a subtle European accent, timeless yet never theatrical.
ECLESTICISM HERE IS NOT CHAOS; IT’S BALANCE. EVERY ELEMENT, REGARDLESS OF ITS ERA, SPEAKS THE SAME REFINED LANGUAGE.
In practice, what does “Eclectic Elegance” mean to you?
It’s the art of weaving contrasts into harmony — antique elements alongside avant-garde furniture, classical symmetry offset by expressive art. Eclecticism here is not chaos; it’s balance. Every element, regardless of its era, speaks the same refined language.
How did you balance classical elements with contemporary living needs?
I approached tradition as a guiding framework, not a constraint. The coffered ceilings and ornate moldings bring rhythm and structure, while sliding portals and an open kitchen allow modern life to unfold seamlessly. It’s a dialogue between permanence and flexibility, memory and movement.
When working eclectically, what rules or boundaries guide you?
Restraint. Every element must serve a purpose. Eclecticism only works when it’s deliberate. I always ask: does this object, material, or texture contribute to the conversation? If not, it doesn’t belong. Take the avant-garde Bunny armchairs by Roman Plyus — their playful character enlivens the otherwise composed living room and reflects the client’s personality.
How would you describe your interior design ethos in a sentence or two?
To design is to choreograph emotions through space. I believe in interiors that are rooted in context yet open to timeless interpretation.
Which design or architectural movements do you feel most aligned with today, and why?
I feel closest to contemporary classicism — the ability to borrow the discipline of tradition while preserving the lightness of modern life. Also to European eclecticism, where narrative and individuality are never sacrificed for minimalism.
If you had to define your signature in three words, what would they be?
Contextual. Refined. Emotional.
- The full story is featured in Vol.17 -
