“For us, every space has an architectural voice that guides its interior,” interior designer Tinatin Kilaberidze says. This philosophy was certainly the case when designing a pied-à-terre with her daughter and fellow interior designer, Nina Line.
Drawn to the charm and historical significance of the small streets in one of Tbilisi’s oldest neighbourhoods, mother-daughter design duo Tinatin Kilaberidze and Nina Line have put their stamp on their own home—a pied-à-terre that “doubles as a workspace and showroom featuring many of our own designs”.
The apartment mirrors the duo’s appreciation for spaces that tell a story. Here, there is a balance of history with modernity, materiality with emotion, and form with function. “Design should reflect lifestyle,” Kilaberidze shares, “It should be comfortable and functional without clutter.”
For their own space, the interior features timber, metal and stone, chosen not just for their aesthetics but for their tactile and enduring qualities. Incorporating natural materials is about creating spaces for people to enjoy being in— familiar and relaxed. Within this framework, there is also a preference to mix old and new across furniture and objects.
One space that particularly encapsulates their approach is the red room. Saturated in colour, the room is a layered composition of personal history and eclectic design influences. “It holds many sentimental pieces,” Line shares, noting the antique lacquered bed from her childhood. Diverse design influences sit alongside each other, such as a rustic Chinese chair that sits opposite a Chippendale armchair. The bold red walls, painted in a shade from French heritage brand Zuber, heighten the room’s dramatic presence. A rabbit screen gives a playful nod to a past project and adds an unexpected element of whimsy.
Interior designer Tinatin Kilaberidze (left) and her daughter Nina Line (right) have designed this pied-a-terre to honour its original heritage, while filling it with their own exquisite collection of objects and furniture. The pair were inspired by New York’s West Village, where they have lived previously. Portrait by Louisa Chalatashvili.
The dining table and chairs are designed by Tinatin Kilaberidze Design, featuring solid timber and hand-painted aubergine leather. The studio also designed the cherry cabinet featured behind the dining setting.
As both a home and a workspace, the apartment functions as an extension of the studio. Many of their own furniture designs have found a place here, including a solid ash dining table paired with hand-painted aubergine leather upholstered chairs. The space is further enriched by pieces from other designers, such as a Madagascar crystal chandelier by Sylvain Subervie and bronze stools by Anasthasia Millot from Valerie Goodman Gallery. “Every object tells a story. It feels effortless and authentic without being overwhelming or restricted,” Kilaberidze says.
A particularly meaningful detail is the carved wood panel on the stairs, which is affectionately called Medea, inspired by the mythical enchantress and daughter of King Aeëtes of Colchis, the region where Tinatin’s name originates. Commissioned from sculptor Giorgi Khaniashvili, the piece embodies a reverence for craftsmanship and storytelling. Other cherished objects include an antique Korean jar, a small ceramic vase by Kosi Hidama, and a Japanese coffee table with bamboo legs and solid timber top; an itinerant piece that has accompanied them across multiple cities before finding its place in Tbilisi.
For Tinatin and Nina, their home is a living entity, never static but never arbitrarily altered. “A home is never truly finished,” Kilaberidze muses. “We believe in thoughtful evolution, allowing a space to grow with its occupants while still maintaining its spirit.”
Over the dining table is a Madagascar crystal chandelier by Sylvain Subervie, from Valerie Goodman gallery. Every object in this home has been chosen for its sentimentality or meaning, including Korean jars and a ceramic by Kosi Hidama from Axel Vervoordt’s collection.
The sofa and cast bronze sconces in the living space are by Tinatin Kilaberidze Design, as well as the console and floor lamp (pictured right).
A special piece, the wooden carving on the staircase by was a commission to sculptor Giorgi Khaniashvili, which is a reference to Tinatin’s Georgian heritage.
The red room features a luscious red paint from Zuber. In here opposing design pieces comes together in harmony, such as a Shaker basket, and Chinese and Chippendale chairs. An original Tinatin Kilaberidze Design lamp hangs above the table.
