Warsaw’s interwar townhouses possess a unique charm – they combine the elegance of modernism with timeless restraint. In one such flat, situated in a prestigious part of Śródmieście, interior designer Anna Koszela has created a design that consciously draws on the history of the location whilst meeting the needs of a contemporary occupant. This interior was conceived with everyday life, comfort and subtle elegance in mind, and with great attention to proportion and materials.
A dialogue with 1930s modernism
The flat measures 88 square metres and is situated in a high-class modernist tenement house from the 1930s, built at a time when Warsaw was intensively forging its modern identity. The architecture of this part of the city was prestigious yet restrained, a quality still evident today in the building’s composition. The kitchen windows offer a view of the city centre, and the building itself benefits from an exceptional orientation that ensures an abundance of southern light.
Anna Koszela emphasises that the design was a conscious dialogue with the existing architecture. As she says: “The design emerged as a dialogue between the contemporary and Warsaw’s heritage, with immense respect for what already existed and sensitivity to what is new.” This approach is evident in every part of the flat – from the restored ceiling finished in the so-called ‘Warsaw bottle’ style, to the preserved parquet flooring laid in a classic pattern, which lends the interior a timeless elegance and creates a sense of continuity with the building’s history.
A well-thought-out functional layout
The architect completely redesigned the layout of the flat, retaining only its original geometry. The existing parquet flooring posed a constraint, yet at the same time it was this very feature that defined the natural order of the space. A spacious hall leads from the entrance, organising the flow of movement and opening up a visual axis into the depths of the flat. This axis is closed off by a discreetly concealed walk-in wardrobe.
The kitchen has been separated into a distinct room – a feature typical of classic flats in tenement buildings, and at the same time a practical solution that preserves the intimacy of this area. The living room forms the focal point of the flat and leads to the owner’s private quarters. To the right of the corridor is a guest bedroom, and next to it a bathroom with a bath and shower.
One of the biggest challenges turned out to be the building’s existing structure. In the kitchen area, the difference in floor levels reached seven centimetres, which required a precise technical approach. The architect emphasises that balancing the proportions also had a symbolic dimension for her: “I was restoring the harmony of this place,” she explains.
Colour scheme and materials
The interior features a palette of soft, muted colours – powdery pinks, ash-grey greens and warm beiges. These are colours that create an atmosphere of calm and tranquillity. They are paired with natural wood, which warms the space and emphasises its character. The light-coloured walls provide a neutral backdrop for the woodwork and stucco details, as well as for a variety of textures.
The most personal room is the bathroom, which the architect describes as particularly close to her design experience. It is here that Sakura marble, with its subtle coral hue, and waterproof plaster in a salmon shade have been used. The whole creates a space that combines the functionality of morning use with the tranquillity of the evening.
In the bedroom, Cole&Son’s Idyll The Gardens wallpaper plays a key role, serving as a natural landscape behind the headboard. It sets the tone for the entire design, introducing a delicate, Anglo-Saxon character.
A bespoke design
The flat’s owner is a young woman who clearly defined her needs from the outset. The interior was to be not only aesthetically pleasing, but also tailored to her everyday pleasures and habits. Her cat is an important member of the household, which is why a discreet space for the pet was created in the kitchen, and the materials were chosen to be durable and safe.
The architecture of the building itself served as inspiration for the project. Its modernist restraint and elegance became the starting point for creating an interior that does not pretend to be anything it is not. It is authentic, harmonious and consciously rooted in the history of the place.
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About the studio:
Anna Koszela’s Interior Design Studio creates projects designed with people and their everyday lives in mind. The foundation of the team’s work is trust and attentive dialogue with clients, resulting in interiors tailored to individual needs and lifestyles. The architect emphasises that a space should not only be visually appealing, but also functional and comfortable, responding to the personal preferences of the clients. The studio’s projects feature inspirations from around the world, a free-spirited blend of styles and deliberate contrasts. What remains constant is a commitment to natural materials, which create atmosphere and engage the senses – making interiors beautiful, pleasant to the touch and nurturing for both body and soul.
design: Anna Koszela Interior Design Studio
photos: Budzik Studio
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