In this interior, everything has been chosen to harmonize with the investors' daily life. The simplicity of the kitchen furniture, closet and table is broken by fancy accessories - a vase with piping or armchairs. The space is enlivened by plants and small color accents - a nightstand in the bedroom or a closet in the hall.
Architects from the {tag:pracownie} studio created a functional interior, which is nevertheless cozy - industrial, somewhat austere elements were combined with the warmth of oak wood. The center of family life is the living room connected to the kitchen - it is here that the household members first spend time cooking and eating together, and then, especially on long autumn and winter evenings, cuddle up on the modular sofa to watch a movie together.
Basia Hyjek: What was the main inspiration for the project?
Katarzyna Burak: The main inspiration was the investors' love for natural wood and industrial elements in the interior. These two guidelines were the basis for further work on the project. We juxtaposed the industrial elements that appear in all the rooms with beautiful oak wood. This combination makes the interior very cozy, despite many harsh accents, such as the glass wall between the study and the living room, and technical lighting. Beautiful oak planks on the floor correspond with the wainscoting in a modern way.
A huge garden, which becomes part of the living room in summer after opening the large windows
Photo: AYUKO Studio
Basia: Where did the idea for such a selection of colors and materials come from?
Katarzyna: The investors specified at the very beginning of our cooperation that the apartment was to be modern, but with a lot of natural wood, which they love. We also like wood in interiors very much, but using it in large quantities it is easy to get the effect of a warm cottage in the mountains, instead of a modern apartment. Therefore, we decided to use wood in a modern way. On the walls in the study and bedroom we designed wooden panels, which create the character of these rooms. We also finished the wall in the hall where the door to the bedroom and utility room is located with veneer panels. As a result, the doors melt into the wall (they were installed in a system of concealed frames), and the wall from the hallway flows seamlessly into the living room, all the way to the kitchen built-in. Everything together creates a tailored suit of furniture.
In addition, the investors were not afraid of strong color accents and dark hues, and it did not take us long to persuade them to create an intimate atmosphere with muted dark colors in rooms that are used for relaxation.
Investors were not afraid of strong color accents and dark colors
photo: AYUKO Studio
Basia: Where did such an idea for the division of space come from?
Katarzyna: The investors wanted to separate two independent zones in the apartment: a daily zone, where they could receive guests, and a private zone, where only they have access. The living zone consists of an open kitchen with an island around which social life takes place, a dining room, a living room, a study, a guest bathroom and a dressing room, which also serves as a utility room. The modular sofa is perfect for long winter evenings while watching movies. The investors dreamed of a home theater, but did not want to permanently install a TV in the living room. We proposed a projector, screen and sound system mounted to the ceiling, so that they would not be conspicuous on a daily basis.
Adjacent to the living area, the study, separated by an industrial glass door, makes the living room even more spacious, and the study naturally penetrates into the living area. A decorative wall finished with wooden slats completes the living room space, and the circular mirror beautifully reflects the interior, as well as the huge garden, which becomes part of the living room in summer after opening the large windows. The private zone is a bedroom with a huge closet hidden behind wooden fronts, and a bathroom - a home spa, which the owner of the apartment dreamed of. After an intense day at work, she can relax here, taking aromatic, long baths.
Each element in this interior was designed to size
photo: AYUKO Studio
Basia: What was the biggest challenge in creating this space?
Catherine: The biggest challenge was coordinating all the subcontractors during the project: carpenter, glazier, stonemason, etc. Because every element in this interior was designed to size, including furniture and ironwork elements such as the wall between the living room and the study and the shower stall in the guest bathroom. Everything was directly connected to each other, and we had long discussions with each person involved in the project about which element should be installed, in what order, and how to adjust the dimension of one element to that of the next, so that everything would match up in the end.
