A young Parisian couple – he is a top manager in the energy sector and she is a talented chef – moved to St Petersburg for work. They welcomed the challenge with great enthusiasm and, leaving their home in the Ville Lumière, dived enthusiastically into this new professional adventure.
After extensive house hunting, they found a newly built spacious penthouse on the eighth floor of a residential complex on Krestovsky Island, an exclusive residential area on the Neva Delta, just where the river flows into the Baltic Sea. The beautiful 80 m² panoramic terrace, offering breathtaking views of the river and the city, played an important part in their choice.
The large terrace was designed to be enjoyed all year round, despite the harsh climate. Thanks to advanced technological solutions, such as underfloor heating, a series of infrared heating elements and a bioclimatic pergola, this outdoor space guarantees excellent comfort even in the coldest months. There was only one detail missing to make the terrace perfect: a large and equipped outdoor kitchen to use all year round! A dream the couple had long shared.
An Atelier stainless steel outdoor kitchen
Recommended by the interior design studio GN Design, which followed the décor of the entire house, the young Parisians chose a kitchen from the Atelier line by Abimis, a model that the designers had already used and tested in terms of quality in the past. Made entirely of AISI 316 stainless steel the Abimis kitchen was the ideal solution to withstand the harsh Russian climate. It is resistant to rain and moisture, frost and UV rays. Unlike almost all other steel kitchens, Abimis kitchens are entirely custom-made to design.
“An outdoor kitchen by Abimis was a natural choice for me”, explained Anastasiia Gorbacheva, owner of GN Design studio. The high weather resistance of stainless steel is added to great functionality and such a refined design”.
The wall-mounted configuration, with a hand-orbitally polished finish, sink built into the top, hob and professional gas grill, was ideal to meet the culinary needs of the family. The fully removable drawers and enclosed compartments provided ample storage for dishes and utensils, keeping the area tidy and functional.
Terrace life
Thanks to the Abimis outdoor kitchen, the terrace has quickly become the beating heart of the house, and the outdoor parties that the owners organise are now a regular event in St Petersburg.
In summer, lunches are almost always centred on the generous barbecues prepared by the chef of the house. And when the sun goes down it’s cocktail time, as the city lights start to shine all around, reflecting on the calm waters of the Neva.
The underfloor heating and heating elements make quiet convivial moments with family or friends possible even in winter. A little help is also provided by the warm cashmere blankets that the hosts leave on every chair and armchair on the terrace for guests to use.
“For us, the kitchen always remains the heart of the home. Even outdoors,” the landlady confirms. “It’s a pleasure for us to enjoy such a beautiful and functional terrace and be able to use it in every season, even at this latitude!”
