The apartment designed by a duo of architects from the Tri-City area - Magdalena Bielicka and Maria Zrzelska-Pawlak - at first brings to mind the Bauhaus. However, at each subsequent glance one can see further inspirations, which combined create an eclectic interior, which, despite the narrow range of colors used, is full of diverse forms and textures.
The kitchen and living room are connected, creating a spacious living area
photo: Hanna Połczyńska | kroniki studio
eclectic interiors
Although the investors initially looked for an apartment on the secondary market, they eventually decided to buy a unit in a new apartment building.
Although the project was created in a brand-new building, it reveals at every step that the residents actually... soul are residents of an old tenement.... - write the designers from the Magma studio in Gdynia. - At first glance, it seems that this apartment is strongly inspired by modernism. However, if you look closely, the style of the apartment escapes the rigid framework of definition. We will find in it a lot of very different even contradictory motifs, which as a result work well together," the authors add.
Each space is distinguished by a unique style. The bathroom, for example, although small, is, according to the authors of the project, one of the most polished places, where the spirit of the bourgeois tenement returns.
Chamfered mirrors, golden wall sconces and beautifully curved cabinet detail create an eclectic but how beautiful whole! - write the architects.
Left: the small bathroom is dominated by chamfered mirrors, gold wall sconces and beveled cabinets, right: a navy blue armchair in the bedroom
Photo: Hanna Połczyńska | kroniki studio
industrial elements
The apartment opted for a popular functional solution - an open plan, in which the kitchen and living room are connected, creating a spacious living area. From the living room you can continue to the study with a bookcase, which, thanks to a high glass wall in the industrial style, is visually exposed, and if necessary - can be hidden behind a light curtain. The glass wall with expressive black muntins is not only a fashionable solution, which in this case enlarges the living room, but also illuminates the corridor of the apartment.
Open space of kitchen, living room and study
Photo: Hanna Połczyńska | kroniki studio
geometric forms
Furnishings and accessories in the interior have simple geometric forms and a subdued range of colors. The apartment is dominated by black, white and grays, which, according to the authors of the project, emphasize the industrial surroundings of the area. One of the most distinctive elements of the interior is an unusual kitchen island, composed of three blocks, combined with a table.
The kitchen island also serves as a table
photo: Hanna Połczyńska | kroniki studio
In turn, the coziness of the interior is added by a wooden floor made of oak planks arranged in a herringbone pattern, contrasting with modern forms and minimalist colors.
It was one of the first elements that was unquestionably to be found in the apartment - it was actually from it that we started the creation of this place. The pedigree of herringbone goes back to the 17th century, so using such a material, the design could have gone in different directions.... this shows how graceful and versatile such flooring is," the architects mention.
Left: living room, right: armchair in the study
Photo: Hanna Połczyńska | studio chronicles
Ola Kloc: What was the priority for investors?
Maria Zrzelska-Pawlak: The investors' priority was to create a simple, friendly interior, which will be timeless and at the same time fit into the set budget :) Hence a lot of so-called classics, which always look beautiful and will continue to do so - like the Cesca chair produced since 1928.
Ola: The inspiration for the interior was Bauhaus, in the arrangement you used, among others, the already mentioned Cesca chair designed by Marcel Breuer. What principles and ideas of the Weimar school guided you in creating the design?
Maria: Actually, there was a lot of inspiration - our clients are very knowledgeable in design and art, and we helped to bundle all the ideas and inspirations into one whole, which in the end is, in my opinion, quite eclectic.... I think that the perception of this interior as "modernist" is due to the use of many simple, monochromatic forms, such as the white kitchen without handles and details, where it is actually not quite clear what kind of furniture it is.... However, if we look into the hallway or bathroom, this austerity is definitely broken.
Left: hallway, right: Cesca chair designed by Marcel Breuer
Photo: Hanna Połczyńska | kroniki studio
Ola: What was the biggest difficulty in the project, and what are you most satisfied with?
Maria: The biggest difficulty was the kitchen island, but it paid off - it is always the most complimented element of the interior! The island is a dynamic composition of solids from three different materials, made by professionals from three different trades. Its simple form delights, but the execution was not at all easy. In order to keep the heavy "slices" of the island light in form, a special bracket was hidden in its construction.
Ola: Thank you for the interview!
