There is a great atmosphere here. In a pre-war tenement house in Powiśle, Warsaw, there is a flat whose interior is an example of a combination of the past and modern design. The flat, chosen by a young couple with a child and their beloved dog, impresses not only with its functionality, but above all with its sensual approach to interior design, where every detail matters. The new interior design was created by the Sobkowiak Architektura studio.
The design by the Warsaw-based Sobkowiak Architektura studio is a story about the search for a multi-layered, lively space that, despite its modern solutions, retains a classic atmosphere. The owners of the apartment did not expect revolutionary changes, but rather a subtle transformation that would restore the former charm of the tenement interior – aesthetics with a slight mid-century modern twist. The result is a space where the history of the building comes to life through references to the past, while at the same time meeting contemporary standards of comfort.
A return to the roots in a new edition
Only a small part of the original decor has survived. The ceiling rosette proved to be the most valuable. It was around it that the atmosphere of the old tenement house was recreated – the designers opted for handmade plaster stucco, which carefully replaced the popular but soulless imitations. The wooden window elements were given a new lease of life thanks to brass handles, and the floors, although contemporary, were emphasised with high plinths and inlays of two types of wood, which give the interior a unique character. Every detail, from the stylised, partially glazed doors, through the finishes on the stairs, to the renovated cast-iron radiators, is a testament to the attention to originality and respect for the existing materials.
The play of light as a key element of the design
The central theme of the space is light, which flows through the different areas of the flat like a living being. Well-thought-out architectural solutions allow natural daylight to penetrate freely into the flat, emphasising both traditional details and modern accents. A decorative glass wall separates the living room from the study, but does not restrict the flow of light – on the contrary, it gives the space a sense of lightness and extends it, connecting the separate areas of the flat. A similar approach was used to separate the private bathroom and the children’s room – where light enters from different sides, creating changing, picturesque compositions on the walls, and subtle curtains add a touch of mystery to the whole.
History intertwined with the present
The interior of the flat in Powiśle is not only a carefully recreated past, but also a space embedded in the personal stories of its residents. Every piece of furniture, from the inherited cabinet to the mid-20th-century armchairs, has been chosen with particular attention to aesthetics. The flat has become an arena not only for design, but also for individual experiences – the owners, drawing inspiration from their travels to England and Italy, have introduced elements into the design that reflect the atmosphere of old houses, where each layer on the walls tells a story of times gone by.
An interesting accent is provided by the renovated cast-iron radiators, evidence of the technical solutions of bygone eras, which, despite the passage of time, still function flawlessly. Their presence reminds us that although changes were necessary, the spirit of the past has remained intact, and the history of the place has been integrated with modern amenities.
Harmony between tradition and modernity
The space of the apartment in Powiśle is the essence of the dialogue between tradition and modernity. The authors of the project have shown that in order to reflect the character of the place, it is not enough to simply restore the old elements – you have to give them new life, subtly combining classic inspirations with today’s comfort. As Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa wrote, sometimes “you have to change a lot so that everything stays the same”. In this case, thanks to a balanced approach, it was possible to create an interior in which the beauty of the past harmoniously coexists with modern functionality. The perfectly rendered atmosphere of an old tenement house, enriched with spectacular lighting effects and carefully selected details, makes this place a unique testimony to architectural evolution.
Interior design: Sobkowiak Architektura, https://www.instagram.com/sobkowiakarchitektura/
photos: Oni Studio
See also: Apartment | Interiors | Eclecticism | Warsaw | whiteMAD on Instagram
