Aldona Banasiuk-Suchorzewska's design is a combination of the style of a classic Parisian townhouse with a touch of modernity. It has a typical tenement house atmosphere, while dark accessories give it a more elegant and sophisticated character.
The second life of a historic tenement house
The tenement house in Warsaw's Praga district was built in 1912. It regained its former glory more than 100 years later. In 2018, the developer carried out a comprehensive renovation of the entire building, renewing the facade, staircases and common areas. He also changed the installations throughout the building, and brought the apartments to developer condition. Thanks to these efforts, the building has been restored to its former splendor. The main advantage of the townhouse's interiors is their unique atmosphere and the height of the rooms. In this case, it is as high as 3.4 meters. This makes the space exceptionally spacious. The unique character of the building is also determined by the arrangment. One of the goals was to design interior that would be consistent with the exterior. Thus, decorative cornices, stucco and ceiling rosettes appear here, which allude to the historical aesthetics of the building.
The tenement house in Warsaw's Praga district was built in 1912
Photo by Wiktoria Wasiak
New layout
The almost 70-square-meter apartment has a southeastern exposure. It consists of a living area with an open kitchen and an intimate dining room, as well as three bedrooms and a bathroom. The functional layout of the apartment has undergone a real revolution. Most of the walls were demolished and rebuilt anew. Thanks to the relocation of the bathroom, the apartment gained an additional bedroom, which was very much desired by the investors.
Thanks to changes in the functional layout, it was possible to set up an additional bedroom
Photo by Wiktoria Wasiak
Love for art
Such a space couldn't lack art. Sculptures by Lech Goździewski enrich the interior, and photographs by Szymon Brodziak hang on the walls. A love of art brought together investors and designer Aldona Banasiuk-Suchorzewska. The idea of using black-and-white photographs appeared at the very beginning of the discussions on the arrangement of this interior. However, there is no lack of modern elements here. In the central point of the living area hangs the famous lamp in the shape of a hat brim. The lounge area, meanwhile, is complemented by the Plopp stool designed by Oskar Zięta. Art and design perfectly intertwine in the space, giving an aesthetic direction to the whole project.
- I believe that the interiors of townhouses have a unique atmosphere that should be emphasized and enriched through art. In the case of this project, I not only tried to recreate the integrity of the building's exterior through decorative cornices and stucco, but also introduce art elements that give the interior a unique look and feel. The sculptures by Lech Goździewski and the photographs by Szymon Brodziak blend perfectly with the rest of the project, creating a harmonious whole - describes Aldona Banasiuk-Suchorzewska.
The apartment contains gems of contemporary design such as the Plopp stool by Oskar Zięta
Photo by Wiktoria Wasiak
Beauty and quality
In the project, the architect used natural, high-quality materials. Care was taken to ensure that every detail reflected the high quality and uniqueness of the place. So marble, brushed oak and classic French herringbone on the floor were used.
- For me, it was a real pleasure and challenge to work on this project, which allowed me to combine my passion for art with the art of interior design. Creating unique, exceptional spaces is not only my profession, but also a way to continue the process of self-improvement. Each project is a new adventure in which I look for new inspiration and create unique spaces that express the character and style of their users. In the case of this townhouse in Warsaw's Praga district, I combined my passion for art with sensitivity to detail, resulting in an interior that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. I am proud that I was able to bring my knowledge and experience gained at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts to this project and make it unique in every aspect. For me, art is not only a decoration, but also a carrier of emotions, inspiration and expression of individuality. By introducing art into interiors, I create spaces that are not only aesthetically delightful, but also stimulate the imagination and evoke positive feelings in their users - the architect recalls.
Aldona Banasiuk-Suchorzewska
Photo by Wiktoria Wasiak
Subdued elegance
The base of the project is light tones. The dominant color here is white. It can be found, among others, in the form of minimalist kitchen fittings and walls decorated with stucco. It is also worth noting the glass panel in white. It perfectly contrasts with the matte kitchen built-in, reflecting the light and diffusing the sunshine. This makes the entire living area appear larger. The only color accent in the interior are sofas upholstered in soft navy blue velvet.
The only color accent in the interior are sofas upholstered in soft, navy blue velvet
Photo by Wiktoria Wasiak
Contrasting bathroom
The bathroom is also white, although there is a contrast in the form of black fittings made of brushed oak and accessories. A distinctive accent in this room is the mosaic laid on the floor. Hidden behind a wall of mirrors is a utility closet with a washing machine, space for a vacuum, cleaning products and towels. It visually enlarges the space and provides an opportunity to hide not very pretty, but necessary bathroom equipment.
A distinctive accent of the bathroom is the mosaic on the floor
Photo by Wiktoria Wasiak
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Compiled by:KATARZYNA SZOSTAK
