The interior design in Warsaw's Old Ochota district combines the style of a pre-war tenement house with functionality, comfort and strong color accents. Agata Kolwińska of the OIKOI studio talks about the work and design challenges.
The design inspiration was classic pre-war interiors
Photo: Aleksandra Dermont © OIKOI
A&B: What was the main inspiration for this project?
Agata Kolwinska: The inspiration for the project was the atmosphere of the place where the tenement is located. Old Ochota, and in particular the Warsaw Filters area, is for many of its residents not only a place on the map, but also a certain lifestyle choice. The assumptions were that the apartment should be consistent with the style of the pre-war tenement, at the same time functional and comfortable for a young couple, and reflect the character of its residents.
A&B: What were the investor's expectations and needs?
Agata Kolwinska: The layout of the apartment was completely changed. The two largest rooms were joined together, in which the kitchen with a hidden pantry found its place. A larger bedroom was created in place of the old kitchen. The bathroom was enlarged by a piece of the large room to accommodate a capacious utility closet with a laundry room. The investors also wanted to generate two bedrooms and separate the living and sleeping areas. They wanted to adjust the layout of the apartment so that its arrangement would allow them to stay here "for a long time".
The clients wanted to add a touch of strong color accents
Photo: Aleksandra Dermont © OIKOI
A&B: Where did the idea for such a combination of colors, patterns and materials come from?
Agata Kolwinska: The inspiration came from pre-war classic interiors. The clients wanted to add a touch of strong color accents, such as the color of the kitchen or the sofa.
A&B: What gave you the most satisfaction in creating this project, and what was the biggest challenge?
Agata Kolwinska: The most difficult aspects of this project were the technical aspects. The renovation of pre-war townhouses usually involves various surprises and technical problems. In addition to us, a designer worked on the project. We also needed a number of opinions from chimney sweeps and other industry professionals. The greatest satisfaction was working together with the clients at the conceptual stage - our visions were compatible, and the final result is the result of our joint work.
