In Czech Cieszyn, a town that has been experiencing a natural flow of cultures for years, an interior has been created that captures this multi-layered identity with exceptional sensitivity. In a tenement house from the Czech modernist period, in the functionalist style, young residents of the borderland decided to create their own place to live — conscious, contemporary, and at the same time rooted in history. They invited the Razoo studio to collaborate, which was tasked with transforming 105 square metres into a space that would meet their everyday needs.
The very first meeting with the investors became an impulse for the architects to explore deeper. The young people, raised at the intersection of Polish and Czech culture, brought energy, openness and a clear vision to the design process. Their stories of growing up in a place where languages, customs and sensibilities intertwine became the foundation of the concept.
The vision began to crystallise during the first visit to the flat. The property, purchased on the secondary market, delighted with its light and details that had survived decades: subtle cornices, original window and door frames, and wooden flooring laid in a classic herringbone pattern. The architects knew immediately that these elements could not simply be preserved — they had to become the rightful heroes of the project. The modernist tenement house carried a story that should not be drowned out, but brought out anew.
One of the key challenges was to combine a large, functional kitchen with a lounge area. The owners wanted an open space where everyday life flows freely and the boundaries between cooking, working and relaxing are naturally blurred. Razoo opted for smooth transitions and aesthetic consistency, thanks to which the interior is not a collection of separate zones, but a harmonious whole.
The design is dominated by warm, natural shades of beige, sand and honey wood. This palette not only emphasises the modernist character of the building, but also creates an atmosphere of calm. The furniture is finished in matt, subdued colours, broken up by distinctive poplar burl veneer. Its organic pattern has become one of the most characteristic accents of the design — subtle yet distinctive.
In the living area, the soft, organic forms of the lounge furniture attract attention. The lighting, carefully selected and varied, sets the mood: from decorative pendant lamps to delicate light points that create an intimate atmosphere in the evenings. Colourful details and art introduce a personal touch, reminding us that this interior is, above all, a story about the people who live in it.
The entire project can be read as a dialogue between the past and the present. Modernist architecture meets a modern approach to life, and emotions, function and aesthetics intertwine into a single, coherent narrative. Razoo emphasises that satisfaction came not only from the result, but also from the process itself — bringing together people from different cultures and generations, inspiring each other and jointly creating a space that is not only a place to live, but also a testimony to their history. Interestingly, the interior features many examples of Polish design, including colourful wall lamps in the hallway by Nodi Studio, Omnires bathroom taps and an atmospheric headboard in the bedroom made of Dekoma fabric.
design: Razoo
team: Klaudia Mikrut, Anna Szefler, Piotr Szefler
photos: MoodAuthors
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