Royal Pavillion

The Russian Empress Catherine the Great commissioned The Chinese Village in the 18th century as a Chinoiserie fantasy. This complex of single-story guest pavilions is located within the park of Tsarskoe Selo Palace near St Petersburg and was built by the architect Charles Cameron. There are no existing historical documents showing how the interiors of the pavilions were originally decorated. Hence, Istomin’s clients gave him carte blanche to create a new decor of one of the cottages. He brought to it a contemporary interpretation of Chinoiserie aesthetics, endowed with fairytale style combined with modern comfort.

The Chinese village centerpiece is a whimsical pagoda originally intended to replicate the nearly-50-meter-high structure at Kew Gardens in London. Ten guest pavilions complete the complex, which is meticulously maintained to its original appearance.

Istomin kept the walls white throughout the two-bedroom cottage as a perfect backdrop for the decoration. He refers to the exterior architecture by bringing in the same accent colors, as well as other Chinoiserie details, such as the pagoda pelmets for the curtains and the custom rug with Oriental motifs in the living room. The pattern on the door frame and baseboards replicates that in Catherine the Great’s Chinese Study at Peterhof Palace. 

A large collection of antique Chinese export porcelain was assembled especially for the project. 

The playful pagoda-shaped headboard is the main architectural element in the primary bedroom. A rare 18th-century giltwood mirror with Chinese export eglomise glass is surrounded by an arrangement of porcelain on brackets. The design of the purple silk pillows was inspired by a classical Chinese shape, which Istomin discovered in Hong Kong. 

In the primary bathroom, a selection of English plates is arranged around the vanity mirror.

 The furniture in the study comes from different countries and eras: an English writing desk decorated with Chinese motifs, an authentic Chinese painted stool, a Victorian ottoman and a collection of vintage botanical Japanese watercolors. Nevertheless, all these pieces come together harmoniously, creating an image of a fairytale-like China. The painted-tin table lamps have been fitted with bespoke lampshades made from traditional Chinese silk.

The modern decor in the guest bedroom also incorporates Oriental elements, like the bamboo window blinds and pair of raffia-covered bedside tables.