Some features of American apartments would do well to be adopted in Russia. It seems to me that they are based on correct and convenient ideas, and do not have many downsides.
Firstly, there is little ceiling lighting here. As a result, there’s more pleasant “lower light,” and from the street, the house looks neater, as chandeliers do not blaze.
Secondly, the windows here start from the floor and go up to the ceiling. I understand that in cold Moscow this is not an option, but besides cold Moscow there are places like Krasnodar. It’s very convenient and bright.
The windows themselves open upward, by sliding, not swinging out. Surprisingly, the mechanism works entirely on friction. The window does not fall under its own weight, but you apply just a little force and it closes. These windows have advantages: no additional space is needed inside the apartment for opening windows, there’s no problem with the wind slamming the windows shut, and the windows look neater from both inside and outside. Our windows are open almost fully for weeks. I can’t imagine that with swinging windows. Similarly, the door to the balcony – it slides to the side.
In addition, there are no window sills, which for me are only pluses (otherwise they would have been cluttered with stuff).
Thirdly, instead of cupboards there are niches in the walls, which completely solve the storage issue and save living space.
Fourthly, there are no wallpapers here. Wallpapers are quite difficult to keep in order for years. And the walls are well designed even without wallpapers.
I apologize, but even the structure of local toilets is more sensible than in Europe.
There are also plenty of downsides. I do not understand this idiocy with the shower fixed in the wall, for example. But why not adopt what is good?
Hi, I'm Rauf Aliev. 