Step inside a townhouse in Tbilisi, Georgia, inspired by Venice.

The city of Tbilisi is an eclectic mix of architectural styles, and this observation belongs to designer Tinatin Kilaberidze, who recently returned to her hometown to create a historic mansion for a local entrepreneur.“Some areas of the city are rich in history, showing influences from Turkey and Iran. During the era of the Russian Empire, the architecture became more European, with a clear preference for the French style. Later, Art Nouveau and Art Deco became popular.”— she adds.“The city has absorbed elements of both the East and the West.”

Kilarberidze's career also has an international aspect. She left the capital of Georgia and moved to the USA in the 1990s, where she spent nearly three decades designing homes in Europe and America. Her client had a similar story: she had lived in New York for a long time but recently decided to return to Tbilisi, settling in a 19th-century mansion located in a popular area full of art galleries and stylish cafes — a true gem in the historically rich context of the city.

The mansion is located on a quiet street that winds along the Kura River, and it is particularly exquisite.“One can see the influences of Moorish architecture, which was touched upon by the Venetians.”— says Kilaberidze.

The idea of Venice quickly became defining for the house project. The building has structural similarities with the closely grouped palazzos found in the water city: it is located in the center of a row of mansions, which results in the layout of the house stretching from the facade to the back, allowing light to enter only through the front and rear windows.“When the light penetrates within, it becomes softer and eventually disappears.”— says Kilaberidze.“That’s why we used light colors and glass objects. We wanted to capture the reflection of light on the water and bring some of the brightness from outside indoors.”

In the glazed loggia and adjoining living room, this effect was achieved thanks to a 1970s Murano crystal chandelier, a curved glass coffee table, and a sculptural wall sconce by Venetian glass designer Giusto Toso from the 1960s. In the bedroom, the designer also entrusted the light with choosing the palette.“The shimmering reflection of the river on the walls made the whole room glow with a soft blue light.”- she says.“So I decided that this room should be blue.”However, in rooms that lack sunlight, she chose the opposite approach.“The bathroom is located between two rooms with only one window, so it’s quite dark.”— she explains.“I always prefer to use dark tones in dimly lit rooms to add a bit of drama.”Her solution was to paint the walls a rich burgundy color and install floors made of blood-red marble."The bathroom turned out very glamorous."— says Kilaberidze.