This flat in Stare Bielany, Warsaw, built in 1972 and designed by Marta Zimińska, is an example of a thoughtful approach to modernisation, in which the residents’ contemporary needs are balanced with respect for the history of the place.
The project involved restoring the original functional layout and preserving the over 40-year-old parquet flooring, which, following renovation, has become one of the interior’s most important features. The owners – Magdalena and Jakub – played an active role in the design process, helping to develop the concept and carrying out some of the renovation work themselves. Within the 65 square metres, a separate kitchen, bathroom, living room and two bedrooms have been recreated, one of which now serves as a study.
Inspired by Warsaw functionalism
The kitchen was designed as a contemporary interpretation of Warsaw functionalism. Simple cabinet fronts, chrome handles and 15×15 cm Terratinta Ceramiche tiles laid in a chequerboard pattern in shades of Rusty Red and Lemon Sorbet evoke the atmosphere of old flats from the 1970s. The granite worktops introduce a durable, elegant material with a subtle colour palette, providing a calm backdrop for everyday activities. A round vintage frosted glass lamp hangs above the table – an original period piece that emphasises the character of the kitchen.
A nod to history
The bathroom draws on the materials found in the building’s communal areas. Grey Coem Ceramiche Terrazzo Calce terrazzo has been paired with simple, white Tubądzin Masovia Bianco tiles, creating a clear, orderly space. The solid oak vanity unit, crafted by Jakub Dąbrowski of Juku Woods, adds natural warmth to the interior. Above the washbasin is a medicine cabinet entirely covered in mirror, which keeps small accessories tidy. The bathroom also features a piece of granite found in a stonemason’s workshop – a material that has been given a new lease of life through reuse.
A living room featuring Polish design from the 1960s and 1970s
The living room combines contemporary lighting with icons of Polish design. Next to the armchair stands a ‘Jamnik’ coffee table from Obornicki Furniture Works, alongside the ‘Stefan’ armchair designed by Zenon Bączyk and manufactured at Swarzędz Furniture Works. This combination creates a space that is both modern and rooted in the history of Polish design – the contrast between the new elements and the vintage pieces emphasises the character of the flat.
A space tailored to its residents
Thanks to meticulous renovation and a well-thought-out design process, this flat in Stare Bielany has become a place close to the hearts of its owners, who spent part of their lives in Berlin and were seeking a similar atmosphere in Warsaw. The architect has created a functional, tranquil and authentic interior, in which vintage elements are a natural part of everyday life.
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About the architect:
Marta Zimińska, an interior architect and furniture designer, is a lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, in the Department of Interior Architecture, within the Participatory Design Studio. She completed her master’s degree at the Faculty of Interior Architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw and studied Interior Design at the Politecnico di Milano. She served as a Craft Ambassador in the Young Ambassadors of Craftsmanship programme run by the Michelangelo Foundation in Switzerland and took part in the first edition of the Homo Faber exhibition presented during the 16th Venice Architecture Biennale. After completing her studies, she gained professional experience by collaborating with numerous craftspeople and Warsaw-based design studios, designing interiors and furniture in Warsaw, Frankfurt, London and Vienna. She is currently developing her own interior and furniture design studio, where her main focus is on historic interiors, sustainable design and artistic craftsmanship. It is important to her to create unique interiors that preserve the essence of a place. She designs functional spaces for people based on their needs and experiences. In her spare time, she paints.
design: Marta Zimińska
in collaboration with: Magdalena and Jakub, the flat’s owners
photographs: Klaudia Majewska
See also: Flat | Interiors | Warsaw | Makeover | Recommended
