A home and studio in one? Why not! Located amidst majestic beech and birch groves, this house is not only a place to live, but also an inspiring creative space. The interior architect designed this space with the idea of combining contemporary minimalism with cosiness, so that nature and interior blend harmoniously. The building and its surroundings form a single entity – an oasis that is calming, conducive to creative work and at the same time an ideal place for family and friends.
The house is organised around an open ground floor plan, with the living space flowing seamlessly from the living room to the kitchen to the dining room, creating a comfortable zone for household members and guests. Natural materials, such as Brazilian quartzite in the living room, olive stone on the kitchen worktops, oak veneers and steel, glass or iron, give the interior a character deeply rooted in nature. The quartzite with its unique drawing on the living room wall is reminiscent of a cut sequoia tree, while the kitchen island and the olive quartzite worktop introduce subtle light reflections. Oak veneers on the walls, as well as custom solutions such as high hidden doors and individually designed furniture, create an atmosphere of calm and harmony in the interior.
We are introduced to the interior of the house by a sizable hallway. With a large suspended wardrobe, a floor-to-ceiling high, aged mirror, a bench and a console over which a decorative, illuminated iron sculpture is suspended.
In the living area, a key element is the open, large windows that flood the space with light and bring in views of the nearby nature. On a day-to-day basis, this is hidden behind a profusion of woollen curtains resting on a stoneware floor with a texture of hewn stone. Against their backdrop, by the bay window, there is a long, wooden, three-metre table with chairs. The openwork lamps hanging above it create an elegant and functional dining space.
A short distance away is the kitchen with its large kitchen island, which forms the heart of the house. A wall of high, veneer fronts of the kitchen conceals a door that provides a passage to a hidden pantry. The rest of the fronts, with the help of a special system, allows the open part of the kitchen to be completely closed off if necessary.
In the living room, satin beige-brown marble forms the form of a long, deep countertop for the RTV cabinet. Walls and ceilings finished with decorative clay plaster, oak veneers and stone add warmth to the interior, contrasting with the light tones of the off-white surfaces of the other walls. Two large suede sofas facing each other, together with a low wooden bench on steel legs, create a place to relax and spend time together, while playing games, chatting or watching movies. The hidden TV serves as a picture on a daily basis, next to which, against the decorative clay wall, is the author’s steel bookcase.
The vegetation in the house, which additionally warms the space, brings additional colour and a substitute of nature into the interior on a daily basis and especially in winter. The last room that catches the eye is the small toilet. It is made entirely of large-format tiles, which are also used for the minimalist and austere form of the washbasin. The nickel-plated wall-mounted mixer above, which is shaped like a bent pipe, and the anthracite ceramic bowl are interesting details and provide a contrasting colour scheme. The monumentality and austerity of the room are broken up by an illuminated mirror with an organic shape and a deep-brushed oak veneer in a natural shade, located in the high furniture unit on the opposite side of the washbasin.
The beauty of the natural materials continues on the first floor, which houses two children’s rooms, a bedroom with a dressing room and two bathrooms. The design inspiration for the smaller bathroom was taken from the coastal climate. Tiles in the colour of sand and water combined with a marble countertop and brushed oak cabinet fronts, subtly blend with the white and grey matt ceramics and fittings. Some of the furnishings, such as the white steel bookcase and towel rack, refer to a minimalist aesthetic, combining the rawness of the forms with a cosy character. On the wall, finished with clay decorative plaster, a painting brought by the architect’s husband from Nepal has found its place.
The upper part is formed by a large corridor, which leads to the other rooms through a high concealed door. The walls in this part of the house are covered with three types of material: imitation wallpaper, brushed oak veneer and large-format ceramics in the window area, located by the wooden, carpeted staircase. One wall houses a large wardrobe with oak fronts, created to the owner’s design. The floor on the first floor in all rooms has been made of oak plank.
The design of the house combines a residential function with an office space, being the workspace of the interior designer. The study, which houses the author’s studio, is a place to meet, create new design ideas and realise ideas. Behind the monitor, the wall of the study is formed by a large panoramic window with a view of a birch forest. On the opposite side, an irregular wall made of decorative clay plaster combined with straw chaff and fine aggregate impresses with its structure. As well as being a place for daily work, the study can also become a guest room thanks to the sofa bed. The multifunctionality of the interior, allows it to be adapted to the owners’ needs.
The interior architecture is highlighted by thoughtful lighting and art, which adorn the walls and complement the overall aesthetic. Additional light, arranged in appropriate fixtures, fulfils all lighting functions, from general lighting to creating the right mood in the interior. Most of the lamps used in the project are colour-modifiable and dimmable. Throughout the house, there are a number of spaces dedicated and reserved for various art, photographs and mementos of family and travels. In the living room, there is room for a small fireplace, which creates a unique and irreplaceable atmosphere in the winter, pleasing the eye with the sight of the fire burning and the pieces of wood lying beside it. The carpeted oak staircase together with the high veneer wall, with its strongly marked grain structure, together form a large monolithic block. The wall next to the staircase has been finished entirely with large-format tiles, creating a backdrop for the tall, panoramic windows and glass balustrade, and the focal point is an original painting designed and handmade by the owner.
The house reflects the owner’s vision to create a space that is conducive to creative work and everyday life. The materials used, the functional layout and the carefully selected solutions create an environment in which one can not only relax, but also realise one’s creative visions. The combination of different styles in a minimalist setting makes the house both functional and timeless. At the same time, the space of the house creates an environment for meetings, conversations and the exchange of inspiration with family, friends or clients. The house opens up new perspectives on interiors as places to live, work and be inspired. It is an interior where nature and modern solutions coexist, and every detail serves to create an atmosphere of cosiness.
Materials, products and furniture used:
1. Kitchen:
Hava PEKA opening system
Cooktop with integrated Elica extractor hood
2. Toilet:
Add Home mirror
Fondovalle tiles
Fittings and ceramics: Neve, Simas
3. Bathroom :
Fondovalle tiles
Fittings and ceramics: Bellosta rubinetterie, Simas, Bette
Stoneware flooring ground floor: Imola
Wooden floor upstairs: Finish Parquet
About the studio:
AZ INTERIOR DESIGN – “In interiors I look for space, give it a functional and aesthetic look, tailored to the individual tastes and needs of each investor. I very often combine different styles, so that each interior has its own distinct and unique character. I believe that each interior should harmonise with the rhythm of its occupants’ lives, reflect who they are at the moment, while at the same time giving them the opportunity to grow and accommodate life’s changes and decisions.” – reads https://agnieszkaziomek.com/
Read also: Architecture in Poland | Interiors | Minimalism | Wood | Single-family home | whiteMAD on Instagram
