Klara Ostrowska, interior designer, has created a space full of sophisticated design that combines different eras and styles. The inspiration for furnishing the 150-square-metre flat in one of Krakow’s townhouses came from her love of contemporary design icons and the building’s unique history as an example of 1930s modernist architecture. The interior was created from a harmonious combination of elements of modernism, art déco and English and French accents.
The story of this project began with Philippe Starck chairs, which the architect discovered in Belgium. The originals from the 1980s, created for Café Costes in Paris, with their warm wood veneer, became the starting point for the colour scheme of the entire flat. This stylistic base was developed in the selection of furniture, fabrics and details, which completed the vision of a warm, cosy interior.
The flat, located in the Aleksandrowicz building at 6 Sereno Fenna Street, captivated Klara with its uniqueness. The triangular floor plan, modernist details and elegant references to art déco set the building apart from other examples of pre-war Krakow architecture. Although the space required several modifications and adaptations to meet the needs of a modern family, it managed to retain its original character.
In the interior design, Klara Ostrowska combined different eras and styles. In the living room, next to the modern Sejour armchair by GUBI, there were family heirlooms – two chairs from the 18th century, which gained lightness and freshness thanks to their bright upholstery. A minimalist rosewood sideboard was juxtaposed with an 18th-century mirror, and a Dutch mahogany sideboard and table designed by Isamu Noguchi stood in the study.
The choice of colours was one of the biggest challenges. In the bedroom, the pink walls harmonise with the oak veneer and orange-brown velour curtains. A key element is the 1930s French Baumann Paris screen, which acts like a sculpture, contrasting with the simplicity of the furniture. Maroon accents, such as the corsages on the kitchen and wardrobe floor, the mirror in the hallway and the legs of the Compas desk, add depth and coherence to the interior.
The kitchen is an example of a subtle marriage of tradition and modernity. Farrow & Ball’s grey-blue fronts in pigeon blue are juxtaposed with classic gorse-style tiles in cream-red. These details combine with the original elements of the staircase to emphasise harmony with the soul of the building.
The renovation took a long time, not least because the work was supervised from Warsaw. As the architect admits, it is the hardest thing to design for oneself. The interior of her dream home is still evolving and the history of the flat is still being written – Klara is keen to introduce new antiques and accessories to complement the space, which is full of beautiful objects, art and family memories.
Design: Klara Ostrowska, KW Studio
Photography: ONI STUDIO
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