Modern open-plan living and dining area with wood floors, light furniture, a TV, and large windows with sheer curtains.
Designed to accommodate the rhythms of family life without sacrificing aesthetic, the layout of the apartment combines openness and high-performance functionality.

September 10, 2026

Words: Karine Monie

Photography: Vigo Jansons

Art Nouveau And The Vienna Secession Reinterpreted

Interior designer Yana Molodykh was enlisted to breathe new life into a 1,637-square-foot home for a family of four—a successful restaurateur a prominent layer, and their daughter and son who attend school just steps away. Located in the heart of Vienna within the modern Ambassy Parkside Living complex, the apartment boasts high ceilings and panoramic windows that invite the spirit of the Austrian capital indoors. To soften the building’s sharp angles, Molodykh introduced curved forms to create a seamless, flowing spatial experience.“In Art Nouveau, lines flow smoothly and continuously, without a defined beginning or end,” she says. “I embraced that organic approach, allowing lines to wrap around the space like a ribbon.”

Bespoke furniture and tailored details define every corner, from the study cabinetry to the entry storage units with dedicated modules for each family member. In the kitchen, bold-veined White Tiger quartzite takes center stage, paired with a niche that reflects an iconic Lobmeyr crystal piece. “The warm glow of brass and the brilliance of glass create an aesthetic that is timeless, refined, and harmonious,” says Molodykh. In the living room, a vintage illustration of a blue-green stag beetle—sourced at a local antique bookstore—adorns a space designed to celebrate it unique layout. To navigate the room’s irregular angles, Molodykh used curved forms for a sense of effortless fluidity. To complement the existing oak parquet, the interior designer worked with the experts at YourFoResta who developed around 15 different ash veneer staining options to find the perfect match.

What makes this home even more captivating is how it reimagines the Vienna Secession for modern living. Here, every element—from the furniture to the walls—is treated as a total work of art (Gesamtkunstwerk), serving as an homage to the revolutionary late-19th-century movement spearheaded by icons like Josef Hoffmann, Otto Wagner, and Gustav Klimt. “The challenge—and the joy—was to capture Vienna’s distinctive atmosphere and rich historical heritage, subtly weaving it into the interior,” concludes Molodykh.

Walk Through The Home Designed By Yana Molodykh 

  • A woman stands by a white fireplace in a modern living room with wood paneling, decorative objects, and a framed artwork on the wall.
    Interior designer Yana Molodykh transformed this Vienna apartment for a family of four.
  • Modern kitchen with light wood floors, a marble backsplash, an island with three brown barstools, gold light fixtures, and white cabinets. A hallway is visible in the background.
    The White Tiger quartzite kitchen features the Org Pendant Horizontal designed by Sebastian Summa (for DCW éditions), the Rosalie wall sconces designed by Julie Fuillet and Emeric Thiénot (also for DCW éditions) and the Calligaris Oleandro stools by Italian studio Archirivolto.
  • Modern living room with curved beige sofa, round rug, light wood floors, built-in shelves, and open view into a kitchen with barstools and white marble island.
    In this apartment, most of the pieces of furniture are curved to create a sense of fluidity.
  • A minimalist bedroom features a bed with a light blue headboard, patterned bedding, a small side table with a lamp, a bench, wooden floor, and beige walls with subtle texture.
    The color palette is characterized by natural shades and refined textures for a cozy effect.
  • Modern bathroom with a floating wood vanity, oval mirror, white tub, sculptural wall art, round side table with a candle, and warm lighting.
    Every choice made by Yana Molodykh was an intentional step toward a contemporary reinterpretation of Vienna’s golden age of design.
  • Modern office with wooden shelves, a desk with a glass of water, brown chair, open door, and minimalist decor. Light fixture with globe bulbs on the ceiling.
    The materiality of the home is a curated mix of the tactile and the historic.
  • Modern open-plan living and dining area with wood floors, light furniture, a TV, and large windows with sheer curtains.
    Designed to accommodate the rhythms of family life without sacrificing aesthetic, the layout of the apartment combines openness and high-performance functionality.
  • A bed with a mustard yellow headboard, cylinder pillow, and beige bedding sits next to a light blue nightstand and a wall-mounted lamp against patterned wallpaper.
    The Casamance wallpaper provides warmth in the bedroom.

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