Elena Drobotova has opened a gallery in Moscow that has neither a clear concept nor even a name. The driving forces of the project are the love of design and passion for art.
Office area. Table and chairs, Kartell; shelving, IKEA; cubs on the shelf, Qeeboo; light, Artemide; sculpture “Chupa-chups” on the table, Asiknova Ceramics. On the wall are works from Elena’s collection: Rustam Kubik, Nikita Nomerz, Vladimir Abikh, Nana Tatishvili, Veronika Ivashkevich, Mikhail Zaikanov, Artem Prut, Alexandra Garth, WöD graphics cabinet. Photo: Sergey Krasyuk; stylist: Natalia Onufreychuk
The room in the loft quarter “Studio 80” appeared at Elena Drobotova four years ago, but she did not immediately decide how best to use it. I was in no hurry to repair it either — I just dusted the brick walls, installed two bathrooms and came here with my architectural bureau. At first, Elena had the idea that the first floor would be occupied by a “live” version of her online store Daisy Maisy, but it never came to fruition. “Every day I realized more and more clearly that I did not want any store — this is not my story. I love how the space keeps clean. The real luxury is not to occupy the floor with anything, and furniture requires a lot of space”” says the architect.
On the wall and on the shelf from the @experimental_factory workshop, the works of Alexey Terenin are exhibited. Lamp, Artemide; tables, Mint Furniture.
Photo: Sergey Krasyuk; stylist: Natalia Onufreychuk
Elena came up with the current image together with her husband — they wanted to create an alternative to the home living room. Not a private space, but not a public one either, but something in the middle. Such a place where you can hang works from your own collection or arrange an exhibition of an artist you like — Elena is passionate about art, goes to all exhibitions and fairs, gets acquainted with artists, and it is clear that she really likes to share her discoveries.
Office area. Table and chairs, Kartell; shelving, IKEA; cubs on the shelf, Qeeboo; light, Artemide; sculpture “Chupa-chups” on the table, Asiknova Ceramics. On the wall are works from Elena’s collection: Rustam Kubik, Nikita Nomerz, Vladimir Abikh, Nana Tatishvili, Veronika Ivashkevich, Mikhail Zaikanov, Artem Prut, Alexandra Garth, WöD graphics cabinet.
Photo: Sergey Krasyuk; stylist: Natalia Onufreychuk
In the office part of the painting “Rasta-narodny” Oli INEY Chikina. Chairs, Kartell; Hare, Qeeboo; light, Macrolux.
Photo: Sergey Krasyuk; stylist: Natalia Onufreychuk
Elena was ripe for repairs just in time for the beginning of the pandemic, but in the fall she already moved into the renovated premises: “My principle is that at some point you just have to kick out the builders, otherwise it will never end. So we stopped by and started settling in, it took another year”” When the gallery gathered guests for its first event in December, someone tried to take off their shoes at the doorstep. Of course — it’s scary to even step on a glossy white floor! “I’ve never had a chance to make an entirely white space,” says the hostess. — During the renovation, everyone laughed at me: “How is your hospital?”
A place for meetings and workshops. The table and glasses are vintage; the lampshade is made according to the design of Elena Drobotova together with Daria Potebnya; chairs from the sale in the restaurant; kitchen and showcases, Ernestomeda; stools, Mint Furniture; candle holder, Seletti; dish, AN&ANGEL. Paintings by Lyudmila Blok (above the table) and Alexey Terenin.
Photo: Sergey Krasyuk; stylist: Natalia Onufreychuk
A place for meetings and workshops. The table and glasses are vintage; the lampshade is made according to the design of Elena Drobotova together with Daria Potebnya; chairs from the sale in the restaurant; kitchen and showcases, Ernestomeda; stools, Mint Furniture; candle holder, Seletti; dish, AN&ANGEL. Paintings by Lyudmila Blok (above the table) and Alexey Terenin.
Photo: Sergey Krasyuk; stylist: Natalia Onufreychuk
In practice, the “hospital” turned out to be very cozy. The furniture in the gallery consists of long-accumulated stocks: the chairs around the dining table Elena bought at a sale in a closed restaurant; the chairs and sofa for the lounge on the second floor came from a friend who at one time kept a vintage store in Riga; the chest of drawers hiding the place of the uprooted battery, Elena also bought on occasion and kept in stock for a long time. In general, the situation here is moderately spontaneous, like in an old dacha. It was precisely this feeling that the hostess aspired to when she ordered a macrame lampshade for the gallery. “Despite the fact that this is a clean industrial space, not a single chandelier looked good here—” she says. —I needed the light from under the lampshade, which gathers around itself, envelops and gives the feeling that everyone is gathered at the table at the dacha and everything is fine.”
Lounge area. On the wall is a tapestry by Jean Lurse Vivace, it was created in the workshop of Simone Andre in 1960; sofa, armchairs and table are vintage; pillows and carpet, H&M Home; shelves are made to order, @experimental_factory; lamp, Macrolux; black dog, Qeeboo; white dog, Seletti; vases, AN&ANGEL.
Photo: Sergey Krasyuk; stylist: Natalia Onufreychuk
Gallery space. Table, Magis; chairs and hares, Qeeboo; light, Macrolux. Paintings by Alexey Terenin.
Photo: Sergey Krasyuk; stylist: Natalia Onufreychuk
In such an environment, Elena arranges art exhibitions, communicates with customers and sells things of designer brands such as Magis or Kartell. “I want to convey to people the idea that everyone can afford a real design”” she says. Elena still hasn’t come up with a name for her gallery, and she doesn’t have an exhibition activity plan either. But one thing is for sure: there is a place in Moscow where you can come out of curiosity, make an emotional purchase and immediately take it home – so that the pleasure from it is maximized.
Elena’s office. French sofa of the XVIII century, covered with modern fabrics; chair, Martela Logic; carpet, H&M Home; table, IKEA; lamp on the wall, Nemo; table lamp, Flos.
Photo: Sergey Krasyuk; stylist: Natalia Onufreychuk
The gallery is on the second floor. On the left — Elena’s library; grandmother’s carpet on the floor; on the right – “Guardian Angel” by Alexey Terenin and a canvas by Ivan Tuzov; sculpture “Warrior” by Pavel Mikhailov.
Photo: Sergey Krasyuk; stylist: Natalia Onufreychuk
The console designed by Elena is made in @experimental_factory; sconce, Nemo; table lamp, Seletti; candles, Richard Ginori. The work “Romanovsky quarry” by Kristina Romanova.
Photo: Sergey Krasyuk; stylist: Natalia Onufreychuk
Plumbing from “Leroy Merlin”, sculpture “Dialogue”, “White Workshop”.
Photo: Sergey Krasyuk; stylist: Natalia Onufreychuk
