Kirill Istomin is a Russian decorator and owner of his own design bureau. Its interiors are in demand around the world and regularly appear on the pages of magazines. How did the designer come to today's success and what is the uniqueness of the style of Cyril Istomin?
Carier start
Cyril is a Muscovite. He was born in 1976. The father of the decorator is an architect. The boy inherited the artistic inclinations of the parent and painted from 4 years old.
At the age of 10, Istomin saw the film opera La Traviata and was shocked by the magnificent scenery. Rich interiors forced him to revise the picture repeatedly.
“La Traviata” inspired Cyril to create the first author's subject - sofa pillows “like in a movie”.
When Istomin was 16 years old, the family moved to the United States in connection with the work of his father. Later, the parents returned to Russia, and the son remained in America.
Cyril Istomin entered the Corcoran School of Art and Design in Washington. In his second year, the young man moved to Parsons, choosing interior design as a professional specialization.
In 1994, Cyril sent his sketches to Parish – Hadley, a New York-based company with the status of a legend of decorating art. The head of the company, Albert Hadley, praised the Russian portfolio and invited him for an internship. Subsequently, Istomin was enrolled in the state of Parish – Hadley and worked in the bureau for several years.
Creation and activities of Kirill Istomin Interior Design & Decoration
Own studio Istomina has existed since 2002 and has offices in Moscow and New York.
Kirill Istomin Interior Design & Decoration received its first major order in 2003. Istomin came up with an art deco interior for a private bank. Since then, Istomin has been working with an international clientele, among which there are both individual customers and organizations.
The company of Cyril specializes in the design of spaces and the creation of decorative elements: furniture, textiles and wallpaper. Often they are issued in a single copy and are intended for the implementation of a specific project.
Since the beginning of 2000, the interiors of Cyril Istomin regularly appear in thematic media. Author's apartment designs can be seen in the international publications ELLE Decoration and Architectural Digest. In 2015, the team of Cyril Istomin participated in restoration work in Tsarskoye Selo. The designer recreated the interiors of the Chinese pavilions built in the park under Catherine II. The original decor has not been preserved. Istomin presented his vision of the Chinese style in the interior of the XVIII century.
The Russian decorator collaborates with the British auction house Christie's. In November 2017, Cyril Istomin designed the space for the London exhibition of paintings prior to the auction. The designer decorated the walls with his sketches of interiors with full-size furniture. Surrounded by dummy scenery, the paintings looked like part of the living environment, and visitors were photographed against a background of noble chambers made of cardboard.
At the end of 2017, the first personal exhibition of Cyril Istomin took place at Christie's Russian branch. At the exposition, sketches of the best projects created by the decorator for international customers over 20 years of work were demonstrated.
Form style
The interiors of Cyril Istomin are always different. When working on an order, the decorator puts the individual preferences of the client first. Interiors of Istomin have common features that characterize his author's approach to design.
Cyril combines decorative elements of different eras and styles. The luxury of baroque fabrics is combined with 20th century cubist paintings, while the comfort of an English home is combined with contemporary minimalist lamps and tables.
In the interiors of Istomin, east and west are in constant dialogue. Cyril seeks harmony between American respectability and the exquisite luxury of Chinese and Persian art.
Russian culture is a constant source of inspiration for the designer Istomin. Cyril introduces elements of the palace and estate decoration into the modern interior. Russian folk crafts fit into avant-garde eclectic spaces.
Bright colors are an essential component of the interior created by Cyril Istomin. His favorite shades are purple and yellow-green. According to Cyril, the introduction of bright color accents is the easiest and most effective way to give it a stylish look.
Istomin often involves works of art in the design of rooms. Pictures and sculptures belong to the owners of the home or are purchased by Cyril himself as part of the work on the project. Istomin refuses to turn the apartment into a museum and build an interior around antiques. Istomin fits artistic values into the general style of the rooms, creating a comfortable and beautiful space for real life. Aesthetics and functionality are the main requirements of Cyril to the situation.
