Kornel Brocki has gained popularity on TikTok, where he has already amassed more than 40,000 followers. It is there, in short, inspiring videos, that he shares his knowledge of interior design and ways to furnish an apartment in an original way. The owner of Brocki Studio inspires his viewers to make bolder interior design decisions and discover their own style. In today's interview, we 'll talk about the trends that are conquering social media, as well as what "Polish glamour" is and how to successfully combine aesthetics with functionality without straining the budget.
Kornel Brocki - interior designer, who runs his own studio Brocki Studio.
Apartment designed by Kornel Brocki
Photo by Sylwia Gorska Assistants: Paulina Kurach, Sevak Kazarian
Katarzyna Szostak: What is "Polish glamour"?
Kornel Brocki: This notion came from my observers. I recorded a TikTok about what the real original glamour should look like, and at the end I just juxtaposed it with examples of "Polish glamour". Interiors that are expressionless, bright, beige, where everything is high-gloss and crystal plastic knobs reign supreme. Under this video, observers started using the terms "Polish glamour" and "pepco glamour." They also asked a lot of questions. So I recorded more TikToks describing "Polish glamour." What these interiors are is bland, even though Poles want them to stand out. However, they have no knowledge of what a good interior should look like and what to include in it to make it memorable. Everyone creates similar arrangements. Poles seem to be afraid of experimenting. They are afraid of stronger colors and these are the results.
Katarzyna: So how do you create an original arrangement of an apartment without spending a fortune and using widely available equipment?
Kornel: The most important thing is to know what we like. What colors suit us? Thinking about which of them can be just such a stronger accent in the arrangement. Our interiors, all without exception, have flaws. It is worth considering whether we can transform them into something positive and unique? We do not need to spend a lot of money. It ' s enough to buy an interesting paint color or use old things from grandma, parents or the antique market. You can renovate them yourself or give them to a restorer. Then such an item will be unique and we will not meet it in any other interior. It is simply necessary to introduce something that stands out into our home and it does not have to be expensive at all.
Apartment designed by Kornel Brocki
Photo by Sylwia Gorska Assistants: Paulina Kurach, Sevak Kazarian
Katarzyna: Old furniture, especially that from the People's Republic of Poland, is very popular now. What do you think this is due to?
Kornel: Fashion changes all the time and trends come back every generation. Our parents were raised in deep communist Poland. Back then, these interiors were very often cluttered. A lot of furniture was in a small space. Most apartments featured the same elements - paneling, colorful wallpaper, wall-to-wall furniture and sofa beds. When this generation decorated their homes, they tried to avoid overwhelm and go in a completely different direction. That's why minimalism and interiors that are clean and flat were so popular. Nowadays, our generation, which grew up in these simple apartments, is going back to what they saw at their grandmother's house, for example. We are looking for that opposite.
Apartment designed by Kornel Brocki
Photo by Sylwia Gorska Assistants: Paulina Kurach, Sevak Kazarian
Katarzyna: How easy and interesting is it to furnish such a typical apartment from a big plate, which we rent, for example, as a student?
Kornel: It depends on how much the landlord will allow us (laughs). Certainly, accessories such as a carpet or paintings and graphics add character to the interior. With them we can also show what we are like and what is important to us. It's worth using pieces that have sentimental value for us instead of paintings bought from chain stores. Lighting is also important. In apartments made of large slabs, it is usually limited to a single point of light located in the middle. This completely spoils the look of the interior. It is also worth investing in some smaller points of light, such as lamps that will stand on the dresser or decorative garlands. Even one smaller but interesting piece of furniture will change a lot. A cool armchair or an original coffee table doesn't have to be expensive, but it will certainly add character to the space. At the same time, we can easily take them with us when we possibly move out.
Apartment designed by Kornel Brocki
Photo by Sylwia Gorska Assistants: Paulina Kurach, Sevak Kazarian
Katarzyna: Is there an interior design trend from social media that has been memorable for you lately?
Kornel: I'm definitely thrilled with unexpected red theory. This is something that I think is missing in Polish interiors, namely strong color accents. A red element can improve practically any interior and add vigor to it. It is also interesting to see how popular the old money style has become. This is probably such another Polish dream, since there is no real old money in our country. However, communism spoiled this "old money" for us, but we aspire to it.
Apartment designed by Kornel Brocki
Photo by Sylwia Gorska Assistants: Paulina Kurach, Sevak Kazarian
Catherine: How did you come upwith the idea to establish TikTok? How did you build your community on it?
Kornel: In the beginning, I had a slightly different path planned when it came to this TikTok. However, something completely different came out, and overall I'm happy with it. In the first video I told about myself, then a little bit about my studies and only then did I move on to my artwork. I started talking about the styles I use most often in my projects, namely japanese and minimalism. That's how the series started. This really appealed to viewers who came across my videos. Questions about other styles started coming in and the whole thing took off. I'm happy to educate people and share my knowledge and sense of style. This is how I built my brand as a person who talks about styles. There was no such content on Polish social media either. Other design studios or architects talk more about solutions that you can apply to your interior. These Polish studios also very often have similar realizations. Of course, they show interiors that are currently fashionable and that clients expect from them. Recently, modern classic is probably the most common. I just wanted to go in a different direction. So that people get to know the different styles, so that they know that the choice is huge. Your interior doesn't have to look like any other apartment at all. I think I'm succeeding, at least I hope so.
Katherine: Thank you for the interview!
