ART-CURATOR ELICHKA NADAREISHVILI’S MAGICAL HOUSE

The house is a living organism for me. My family and I live in the house where my spouse spent his childhood, located on one of the most distinctive and outstanding streets in Tbilisi, Zandukeli Street. Our children, Nanka and Kira, belong to the sixth generation raised here. You can feel the Tbilisi atmosphere as soon as you enter the house. Information about when and by whom the building was constructed is not available to us. We know from stories that my spouse’s grandfather, who lived on Plekhanov at that time, came across this house by chance. Over time, the house grew along with the family. The highlight of the place is the yard, featuring our pine trees and cypresses that even appear on Google Maps.

From the beginning, I tried to preserve the original character of the house. Obviously, some renovations were necessary from time to time, but I mainly focused on restoring and being careful with what already existed. For example, the stairs, which have a unique construction and are unlike anything you will find elsewhere, I left untouched. I did not replace the French-style shutters, despite suggestions to install more modern, glass-panelled windows instead. The layout of the rooms and hallways has also remained the same.

 

In terms of the interior, I was also very cautious and reserved when introducing new elements. Initially, I attempted to decorate the house entirely in lighter tones, but bright colours inevitably seeped into the space, probably influenced by my taste. I have a particular fondness for textiles—curtains, rugs, drapes. Stemming from this, my home gradually became more and more colourful. The way I choose curtains is unusual; in one room, I might hang different types of curtains. I enjoy matching drugs or drapes with entirely distinct textiles.

I love using wood textures in the interior, and recently, I have developed a fondness for stone, towards which I had always been quite indifferent. For instance, I made a travertine table, which I adore. Stone and wood are living organisms for me, bringing a different kind of life into the interior. Generally, I love modern aesthetics and its blend with the antique. An ancient French chair might unexpectedly sit beside a modern piece. If I like an item and it captures my heart, it inevitably finds a place in my interior.

Wherever I am, on the way back I am always happy to return home. For me, my home is a place of peace, tranquillity, and freedom. I have planted many hydrangeas in the garden. They are connected to my memories of Sukhumi. You must have noticed that there are many books in the house. We have a large and valuable library collected over generations, which creates the atmosphere of this house. For me, without books, the rooms feel lifeless. As for the paintings, I own two pieces that are very precious to me, by my favourite artists, Vakho Bugadze and Zura Aphkhazi. These paintings came into this house together with me and are an essential part of it…

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