The expression "live like a dog and a cat" takes on a whole new meaning in a Gdynia apartment by Ministry of Interior Affairs. Cats and dogs live there in harmony and are quite well off, while benefiting from designer solutions! The interior of Cats & Dogs is a space designed for all members of the household, including the four-legged ones.
The 55-square-meter apartment consists of a lobby, a kitchen with a living room dining area and a small bedroom. A fundamental influence on the character of the interior is the functional partition walls. Thanks to them, the architects have connected the kitchen with a double communication - a swinging door leads to it from the hall, and the living room is connected by a sliding door for the entire height of the floor. In addition, there is a mirror on the door - when closed, the dining room enlarges optically. The atmosphere of the living room and dining room is emphasized by a small bio-fireplace built into the wall.
There is room for everyone in the apartment
Photo: MSWW Marcin Konopka
The architects decided to change the original bathroom layout in favor of a new arrangement with a large shower and seating area. The bedroom is a small, cozy space. The bed, placed in an alcove between built-in closets, gives the impression of being somewhat hidden, and the upholstered walls around the headboard dampen sounds. The place is quiet, much more so than in the rest of the apartment. Lying on the bed, one can admire the romatny floral wallpaper, and the lamp in the form of a white bird creates an idyllic image. It's hardly surprising to find feline guests on the bed during the day. Although the bedroom was supposed to be the only space where they have no access....
there is a cat dining area in the kitchen, and in the lobby there are openings with dog beds
Photo: MSWW Marcin Konopka
Dobrawa Bies: How do you design with the needs of animals in mind? Does it require a completely different look?
Marcin Konopka: The interior of Cats & Dogs is an attempt to create a space that humans can share with animals, without compromising the aesthetics. The world created in this apartment was intended to inspire one and the other. Each member of the household was to find a place for himself, even if it is a shelf under the ceiling. A number of solutions that took into account the needs of animals appeared in the interior. These include a cat dining area under the bar in the kitchen, openings in the hall to accommodate dog beds and a cat litter box opening in the bathroom. The most distinctive and "animal" element is the "cat staircase." The bookcase, along with the shelves of the adjacent wall, provide communication for the cats - the four-legged animals have great fun jumping on them. When the hosts leave the apartment one day, the next owners will not have to wonder what to do with the structure. It is incorporated in such a way that the lack of feline users will not interfere with anything here.
The interior is designed for people and animals
Photo: MSWW Marcin Konopka
Dobrawa: What were the assumptions and design inspirations? Did you manage to achieve all of them?
Marcin: What was most important in this project was the approach of the owners. From the very beginning they assumed that they would share the interior with their four-legged friends. The interior was not to be "tailored" to animals, but rather designed for people and animals, so that the aesthetics did not suffer. The saying "live like a dog and a cat" takes on a new meaning here. Here this life goes on without conflict and everyone has their place.
Dobrawa: What is the reason for such a combination of colors and materials in the apartment?
Marcin: The aesthetic layer of the project resulted from the needs and fondness of our clients, combined with our interview and analysis of the very important relationship between owners and animals. Contemporary forms of arranging space appeared in this interior together with touches of delicate art déco in the living room wallpaper and sweet sentimentalism in the bedroom.
romantic bedroom
Photo: MSWW Marcin Konopka
