A Żoliborz tenement house from 1935. Inside it, a flat has been created whose arrangement is based on dialogue and the skilful blending of different tastes. It is a 100-square-metre space, created by combining two units and designed for a family of three with a dog. The interior is not the result of a forced compromise, but of a creative collaboration that has resulted in a place that combines different temperaments and needs.
A Żoliborz tenement and the beginning of acollaboration
The story of the project began with a post on social media. Konrad, a local activist and creative producer raised in Żoliborz, and Kasia, a lawyer from Mokotów, were looking for an architect who would balance their different approaches to interior design. They invited Monika Michałowska to work with them. It was clear from the outset that the owners’ visions were diametrically opposed. He preferred colour and eclecticism, she opted for classics and muted colours. Thanks to mutual concessions, they managed to work out a common aesthetic, in which each of them found their own accents.
New function within historical walls
The building in which the flat is located represents classic Zoliborz functionalism. The designer’s task was to transform the two adjoining units into a whole with a clear division into a living and a private area. The new layout included a spacious living room with a work area, kitchen with dining area, library hall, bedroom, children’s room and bathroom. Michalowska was challenged by the unusual angles in the kitchen, which required individual carpentry solutions, and the limitations of the old bathroom installation.
Details and individual stories
The interior has been constructed from elements that have their own story. The living room combines contemporary design with vintage furniture, and a tapestry bought from a neighbour became its focal point. The owner’s desk was created from a wide windowsill overlooking old trees. Konrad’s passion for music found expression in the record corner and DJ station. The kitchen and dining area is a space for family and social gatherings, where oak veneer was juxtaposed with steel and restored chairs from the Czechoslovak modernism era. The bedroom, on the other hand, combines a calm base with more casual touches, while the corridor has been given the function of a library. The bathroom draws on modernist aesthetics and the spirit of Le Corbusier, while the children’s room has been arranged as a fabulous but structured space full of theatrical details.
Żoliborz tenement –designphilosophy
Designer Monika Michałowska emphasises that an interior should, above all, be comfortable and conducive to everyday life. Aesthetics play an important role, but cannot dominate over functionality. The Żoliborz flat has become an example of a space that not only looks good, but also matures with its occupants. It is a place that combines the energy of a big city with the tranquillity of a green enclave, creating a harmonious home for a young family.
designed by Monika Michałowska
photography: Martyna Rudnicka
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