The interior design studio Between the Walls proudly presents its new office project, Mislad, embodying the philosophy of resimercial design. This innovative approach harmoniously blends the comfort of home with the functionality of a modern workspace, responding to the growing demand for more comfortable and inspiring office environments.
Post-pandemic, work habits have shifted, and people increasingly seek an office that is more than just a place to work. They desire an informal space that fosters productivity, creativity, and psychological comfort. Between the Walls firmly believes that a modern office should be a place where people genuinely want to return.
"We wanted everyone who enters this space to immediately feel at home," — notes Viktoriia Karieva, lead designer and co-founder of Between the Walls. — "It's a space that doesn't evoke a sense of pressure; on the contrary, it stimulates, calms, and provides a feeling of inner balance."
From the initial planning stages, primary attention was given to creating a dynamic open-plan area near the entrance. This zone is designed to facilitate interaction not only for employees but also for visitors. A multifunctional lounge area is integrated with a meeting room and a welcoming dining area, perfect for holding meetings with a light buffet or a glass of wine. A hidden kitchen is also incorporated into the office design.
The meeting room is a prime example of carefully considered acoustics and elegant design. Its hexagonal shape, combined with glass doors, double-layered curtains, and soft Forbo carpeting, creates an ideal atmosphere with excellent sound absorption. The pistachio-hued wallpaper, featuring an illustration of a mythological lion, was custom-designed by Between the Walls' designers, emphasizing a cohesive narrative. The space blends cool and warm tones, highlighted by cocoon-shaped Japanese paper lampshades from Ferm Living, as well as a custom-designed table made of metal, marble, and glass.
Between the Walls is known for its collaborations with artists, and for the Mislad project, the team invited Anastasiia Leliuk. Her poetic approach to decorative art and sensitivity to symbols allowed for historical interior elements to be given new life, preserving the depth and narrative quality of the space. Anastasiia created a large-scale bas-relief in the kitchen area depicting fantastic beasts, inspired by mythological themes, executed from segmented papier-mâché pieces. The artist also left ceiling paintings in the dining area and workstations, visually uniting the space and adding a sense of lightness. Particularly striking is the wall mural near the ceiling, mimicking a countertop, creating a dialogue between the rooms.
The office features four functional workstations, each designed with its own distinct atmosphere.
One of the rooms is located closest to the neighboring synagogue, which historically shaped the architectural and cultural context of this part of the city. For this reason, the space subtly yet sensitively reflects its surroundings: a warm yellow hue appears in the palette, echoing the synagogue's facade color, while a mustard-colored curtain emphasizes this visual connection. A vintage cabinet from Odesa became a special accent in the room—an object that sets the tone for the entire interior. The designers at Between the Walls stumbled upon it by chance, in almost perfect condition. After delicate restoration and internal refurbishment, it gained new functionality and meaning. A sustainable approach to design is one of the studio's key values. Working with items that have already lived a life allows for the creation of deeper, more personal spaces. This is how new living wood facades appeared in the project, continuing their existence in a new context.
Two additional zones for 4 and 6 workstations combine functionality and aesthetics. The first office evokes the atmosphere of a small secret garden. Light fixtures resembling grape clusters, combined with the accent palette of the table, underscore this concept. The blue color on the wall is carried over from the common area, and opposite, a restored relief of original brick is preserved, adding a special charm to the room. The accent table leg with an active pattern makes it noticeable from the side, and artworks by artist Olha Shtein on the wall complete the look.
The next space, located behind a glass partition, impresses with bold contrasts of angular and rounded forms. Black and red colors create a serious working atmosphere, while light tones and decorative motifs on the ceiling add coziness and visually lighten the space. The flooring framed with Imola porcelain stoneware echoes the shade of the marble sconces, while the custom-designed green marble wall lights create a refined harmony between the office and the main area.
The table is designed to minimize visual clutter and provide ergonomic access to outlets.
In a more secluded area, the director's office is situated, featuring an additional exit from the building. Beyond the exquisite minimalist base, we opted for bright accents such as dark blue Donald Judd-style wall-mounted shelves and an upcycled leather-upholstered armchair. The classic proportions of the room, the decorative frieze at the junction of the walls and ceiling, and vintage details all contribute to a sense of a space connected to the history of the place, yet reinterpreted through the lens of contemporary design.
The design also utilizes rich color contrasts: burgundy on the wooden panels and kitchen island partition, combined with eucalyptus and vibrant blue hues. This carefully selected palette, coupled with diverse textures, creates a visually dynamic environment that blends comfort with refined elegance.
