The dominant feature inside any izba was a large clay oven or pech’, occupying one corner to the left or right of the main door. The adjacent area, the chulan, was the women’s side of the house. It contained the water barrel, a table for preparing food, and storage cupboards for dishes and cooking supplies. Raised sleeping platforms, polaty, fit next to the oven, sometimes extending over the entrance area.

   Low benches, lavki, built along the other walls, were used for seating, for sleeping, or sometimes to support free standing cupboards. ...