Not all interiors are designed with pure functionality in mind. Some are born out of a need to engage with the history of a place. The flat at Matejki 51 in Poznań belongs to this category – it is a space where the Art Nouveau past and contemporary sensibility intertwine to form a harmonious whole. Architect Maria Jachalska began work on the project in an unusual way, by visiting the library and studying the archives. “The history of the building was fundamental for me. I wanted the interior of the apartment to consciously draw on the past. So, before the first sketches of the project were made, I reached for the sources: books, archives and descriptions of the Johow-Gelände complex, to which the building belongs,” she recalls.
The tenement house on Matejki Street, located opposite Wilson Park, has been considered one of the most picturesque in Poznań for years. Its restored façade and rich ornamentation became the natural context for the 88 sq m interior design created for Mr Emil – a lawyer, book collector and lover of good design. Working with an investor who was sensitive to detail, the architect retained the original layout of the flat, introducing only subtle changes: additional lighting in the kitchen and bathroom and enlarging the latter, which allowed for the creation of a full-fledged bathing salon. This became one of the strongest accents of the project, developing the theme of rounded lines, soft edges and Art Nouveau references interpreted in a modern way.
Right from the entrance, a wooden wardrobe with a rounded side catches the eye, setting the tone for the entire flat. The living room with a bay window opens onto the greenery of Wilson Park, and the landscape becomes a natural backdrop for the relaxation area with a Brandon sofa by Sits, round tables and an Olaio Caravela TV cabinet. The preserved stucco does not dominate, but corresponds with the new furnishings, emphasising the continuity between the history of the building and the contemporary design. In the dining room, an oak table surrounded by Olaio Caravela chairs is complemented by the iconic Nemo Marseille wall lamp, while Dorota Starosta’s ceramics, a clock from the 1920s and paintings by Andrzej Popiak create a multi-layered narrative.
One of the biggest challenges turned out to be the transition between the kitchen and the living room. Initially, art deco metal and glass doors were to be installed there, but their execution did not meet expectations. The architect allowed the design to evolve, replacing them with an arched passage finished with stucco. The radius of the arch precisely matches the curves of the kitchen cabinets, giving the whole a sense of cohesion. The kitchen, decorated in shades of olive, off-white and dark wood, with Ceramiche Grazia Old England mosaic tiles, is an example of the consistent translation of Art Nouveau inspirations into the contemporary language of materials.
Mr Emil’s study is the most personal space in the flat. It houses an impressive custom-made library and a collection of knick-knacks, among which a porcelain polar bear figurine – a family heirloom restored by Warsaw artist Tadeusz Orłowicz – occupies a special place. It is a detail that gives the interior emotional depth.
In the bathroom, the central role is played by a free-standing bathtub set on a platform made of Statuario Corchia marble. The natural pattern of the stone, spot lighting and daylight introduced by additional lighting create an atmosphere conducive to calm. The bedroom, visible through glass doors, is decorated in light colours, broken up by a burgundy-coloured Rosaneiro Molia upholstered bed. Built-in wardrobes with metal and leather handles, carefully selected lighting and furniture complete the composition.
design: MariaJachalska
photos: MoodAuthors
styling: AnnaSalak
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