Localy is a store featuring household items from authentic Russian brands.
We were challenged by the task of creating a space where a variety of products from different brands would be displayed for sale. We needed to create a beautiful structure to showcase this variety, which is reminiscent of an oriental bazaar.
The identity of the project is based on the aesthetics of a Soviet lost-and-found. This aesthetic contains a semantic reference to the country’s history, combined with the idea of structure - like a filing cabinet or a lost-and-found bureau, where long-forgotten things can finally be recovered. It also evokes a sense of coziness through its harmonious blend of forms and textures. To bring this vision to life, the design incorporated a complex warm colour palette, recycled plastic panels, and lacquered furniture inspired by the 1970s.
Since the showroom is located in a historic building, obtaining planning approval would have significantly delayed the construction process. To avoid this, we deliberately chose to transform the space using only furniture structures. We created a ‘box within a box’ by installing shelving along the walls. This approach allowed us to establish a convenient, functional layout while also shortening the project timeline.
The entrance area is defined by a triangular arrangement: a central rack showcasing a curated selection of goods, a rest area with armchairs, and the checkout zone, which consists of two distinct islands: one for purchases and one for product customisation.
In the first showroom section, shelves display home goods from a variety of brands and artisans, while the second hall is dedicated exclusively to textiles from the Morpheus brand. This space is multi-brand and visually rich, filled with diverse objects. In contrast, the second section is quieter and more focused, placing the spotlight on the store owners’ brand. This intentional contrast helps reduce visual fatigue for visitors. For this purpose, we designed a welcoming rest area with armchairs and windowsill seating at the entrance, offering a place to pause, absorb the visual information, and encourage longer visits.
Subtle details, often unnoticed at first glance, play a crucial role in shaping visitor perception and behaviour: a discreet lightbox above the entrance to the second showroom section draws people in, while the carefully designed rhythm of shelving ensures that everything - from small sculptures to large textiles - is easy to see and appreciate.
In this project, we succeeded in creating a space that not only serves as a platform for showcasing unique design objects but also carries its own distinct character and charisma rooted in a contemporary reinterpretation of Soviet interior aesthetics.
Architect: Elizaveta Zholtaya, Olga Smetanina, Teona Tuzbaia
Photo By Dmitry Suvorov