Paulina Rzeźnik from the EPOKA studio has designed a 36-metre flat in Nowa Huta. The property is situated in one of the oldest tenement blocks in this district of Kraków. The interior is full of vibrant colours and clearly inspired by art. The Memphis aesthetic blends here with surrealism and vintage furnishings.
A colourful flat in Nowa Huta
The building in the Młodości housing estate formerly housed workers who built the Nowa Huta industrial complex. The rooms, with ceilings over three metres high, serve as a reminder of its history. For the designer, it was precisely these proportions that formed the starting point for her work on the interior design. Within this compact space, she was able to give free rein to her imagination, creating sharp forms and using bold colours. Rather than toning them down with neutral furnishings, she developed a composition akin to an artistic performance, in which every object plays its own role.
Memphis, vintage and a Moroccan rug
The eclectic interior design draws on the Memphis aesthetic, recognisable for its bold colours and geometric motifs. These are complemented by vintage pieces and steel accents. With such a diverse range of furnishings, the proportions of the individual materials are key. Wood visually warms the interior and balances the coolness of the metal, whilst the Moroccan Berber rug introduces a soft texture. The furniture includes a chair designed by Sylwia Biegaj, complementing the blend of craftsmanship, colour and unusual forms.
A flat in Nowa Huta brimming with surrealism
One of the most subversive elements of the flat is… a furry painting – an original nod to Meret Oppenheim’s ‘Breakfast in Fur’. The unusual material alters the way a familiar object is perceived and adds a touch of humour. The designer has also drawn on the ready-made concept, dear to Marcel Duchamp: here, objects and materials are given new functions and meanings. The mirrors play a distinct game with our visual habits. They reflect light and colour, multiply perspectives and create the illusion of further passageways, making the small flat seem more spacious.
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About the studio:
Paulina Rzeźnik founded the EPOKA studio after completing her studies in design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice. She specialises in interior design, furniture and functional objects, and personally oversees the implementation of her projects. In her studio, she works on interior design concepts, functional room layouts and bespoke joinery. She also selects materials and furnishings.
Design: EPOKA
Photographs: Przemysław Markiewicz
See also:Flat|Interiors|Kraków|Recommended | Vintage|Eclecticism|whiteMAD on Instagram
