In recent years, Warsaw’s Wola district has undergone a spectacular metamorphosis – it has become a place where 19th-century townhouses meet skyscrapers. In such surroundings, on a modern housing estate, Asia and Bartek bought a 65-square-metre flat ideal for a young couple leading a busy working life. They decided to entrust their dream of a nest of their own to Katarzyna Warchoł of WRHL Design, who turned the developer’s structure into a coherent, eclectic arrangement with a modern twist.
The beginning was a meeting
“The smug people, exuding warmth and calm, already came prepared for the first interview,” says the designer.” The inspiration they showed drew bright, airy interiors full of light, occasionally broken up by colour accents and subtle stucco. The goal was clear: modernity softened with classical elements that would give the flat character and refer to the old architecture of the neighbourhood. The architect embraced this aesthetic, but decided to add a distinct, sensual touch – it was to be something that would evoke a smile and surprise.
Planning the function
The first functional treatment concerned the wall separating the kitchen from the living room. Partial demolition opened up the space and let in more light, while a huge arch incorporated into the remaining section of the wall amphiladically linked the living areas. By dispensing with the TV, the seating area turned towards the kitchen, which facilitated communal living and integration during meal preparation. The repetition of motifs – especially the soft, rounded forms – became the key to the cohesion of the entire flat.
Colours and materials
Muted, bright colours and parquet flooring laid in a herringbone pattern in a warm shade of walnut formed the basis of the arrangement, against which the furniture and accessories were to play. “Everything was ready, I had already accepted clients and was preparing designs for the kitchen fitting for the carpenter,” recalls Catherine. – But something nudged me,” she recounts. – What if I let a bit of madness into this calm space? – she thought.” The result is a kitchen island in noble ruby maroon, with rounded shapes and fronts decorated with balls – the only piece of furniture in the house around which life revolves. The maroon of the island played with the veneered cabinets and beiges to create a composition that is both elegant and bold.
The power of accessories
The living room features lounge furniture with soft, rounded forms that correspond with the shape of the island. Designer tables by the Polish brand Perler Design, awarded in the Dobry Wzór competition, blend in with the irregular carpet like liquid spots against a neutral background.
A strong accent is the painting by Urszula Teperek, who “paints obvious themes in an unobvious way”, and its stucco setting adds a classical note while softening the shapes. The dining area blends seamlessly with the relaxation area – a wooden table, upholstered armchairs and an openwork bookcase for decorative trinkets complete the composition. The colourful totems from Totem Studio Warsaw and the historic ‘Pies Fo’ ladle from the Majolica Nieborów manufactory serve as collector’s accents; their presence underlines the designer’s fascination with good Polish design.
Relaxation zone
The bathroom has a more natural character; the carpenter perfectly matched the grain of the veneered, suspended dresser under the washbasin, creating a decorative, almost sculptural pattern. Instead of a thin countertop, a solid Calacatta Viola slab with a drawing of grey-burgundy veins on a cream background appeared, adding a luxurious, jewellery-like feel to the interior. Brass handles with stone eyelets and gold faucets enhance the elegance, while beige sandstone-like tiles and an arched mirror with accompanying lamps create a cohesive, calming mood. Small accessories, such as a clay glazed vase from Paititi Studio with vibrant flowers, introduce a feminine and natural touch.
– ‘The design matured over time, and I tried to gently and sensitively persuade clients to come up with new, bolder ideas,’ recalls Catherine. It seems to have worked because, as they say, they can’t imagine living anywhere else, she concludes.
design: Katarzyna Warchoł WRHL Design
photos: Yassen Hristov
photo shoot styling: Magda Chudkiewicz
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