An 80s-inspired flat. It measures 48 square metres and has an artistic flair

·31 August 2026

This 48-metre flat in the Młyny Mogilska NOHO development in Kraków is inspired by the 1980s. The interior boasts an elegant, understated character with a distinct touch of nostalgia. Designer Paulina Kopek-Szymańska has combined unconventional forms, glossy furniture, glass blocks, natural stone and bolder elements. The whole is complemented by cleverly chosen materials and art.

Paulina Kopek-Szymańska of Kopek Studio is responsible for the flat’s design. In this Kraków flat, she has opted for a calm base, broken up by artistic accents and inspirations drawn from the 1980s. The interior features rounded edges, high-gloss furniture and unusual colour combinations. One of the most distinctive features is the blue TV unit. The designer also deliberately chose not to have perfectly smooth walls. Their uneven, occasionally scuffed surfaces contrast well with the refined furniture and fine materials.

The original layout of the flat was different. During the renovation, it was divided into a living area and a private area. Bricking up one door and creating a new opening between the two rooms allowed for a more expansive private zone to be created. This zone now comprises a bedroom, a workspace with a relaxation corner, and a small walk-in wardrobe. The new opening was closed off with a metal door featuring ornamental glass. Its burgundy colour adds character to the interior, whilst the design itself allows the bedroom to be subtly separated from the workspace. This division is also emphasised by the flooring materials. In the living area, there is a warm-looking microcement floor, whilst the private zone is finished with wooden flooring inspired by a traditional parquet pattern.

The most sensual room is the boudoir-style bedroom. A muted purple appears on the walls and the curved ceiling. The same colour recurs in the headboard, crafted from striking veneer with a motif reminiscent of peacock eyes. The pattern also features on a small bookcase, where it is paired with contrasting high-gloss lacquer. In the bathroom, the designer has used glass blocks, for which she has a particular fondness. This material, often associated with interiors of bygone decades, has been given a fresh interpretation here. The bathroom maintains consistency with the rest of the flat, whilst also having its own distinctive touch.

Three striking materials come together in the kitchen. Natural stone is paired with textured ceramic tiles and warm, veneered oak. The overall look is offset by stainless steel fittings, which also feature in other parts of the flat. The combination of raw surfaces with refined details lends the space an original, individual character. Art plays a significant role in the design. Paintings and objects with a history ensure that the flat does not resemble a catalogue-style interior.

“I believe this is another piece of the jigsaw. If we want an authentic interior, let’s make sure the elements within it carry some kind of story. These could be pictures from our childhood, heirlooms from our ancestors, or other pieces bought at a flea market” – says Paulina Kopek-Szymańska, summing up the 1980s-inspired flat.

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About the author and her studio:

Paulina Kopek-Szymańska is a graduate of the Faculty of Interior Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków. She has also gained experience abroad. In 2012, she undertook a six-month internship at the renowned EASD school in Valencia. She previously worked at one of Kraków’s design studios, and in 2016 she opened her own studio, Kopek Studio. In her work, she focuses on a personalised approach and intuition. She places great importance on materials, textures, colour and objects that give interiors a personal touch.

design: Paulina Kopek-Szymańska – Kopek Studio
photography: Anna Laskowska – Dekorialove