The new interior design of the restored Podol Wielki Palace is the work of the Szydlik Wnętrza studio. The impressive 205 square metre space required complete reconstruction, but the architects managed to preserve a piece of the history of this 19th-century residence. The palace interiors are once again a space full of elegance and life.
The palace in Podole Wielkie and its history
The residence in Podol Wielki was built for the German von Braunschweig family in the mid-19th century as a single-storey building with a three-wing layout and a central hallway. The façades were covered with rusticated plaster, and the main entrance was accentuated by a portico supported by massive columns and closed with a triangular tympanum. The entire structure was crowned with a hipped roof covered with interlocking tiles. The palace was surrounded by a park with old trees, and a complex of farm buildings was built in its vicinity. After World War II, the residence served as the seat of a state-owned farm, which involved numerous interior renovations. Podola Wielki was also affected by fires. This difficult history explains the limited number of original elements of the palace’s furnishings and decor. These include doors with door frames on the ground floor and a white tiled stove topped with a decorative crown. The new owners of the estate undertook the difficult task of restoring it from ruin, saving what remains of the von Braunschweig era.
The interiors of the palace – the work of the Szydlik studio Interiors
The first meetings with investors allowed the architects to determine the direction of the new interior design of the palace, based on a sense of order, warmth and everyday comfort. The rooms were to be conducive to relaxation, while reflecting the elegance appropriate for this type of pre-war residence. It was therefore decided to go for a modern classic aesthetic, complemented by references to modern farmhouse style. Expressive, geometric forms are juxtaposed here with the soft lines of lounge furniture and impressive staircases. The colour palette is dominated by green, combined with natural wood and light tones. This gave the effect that the owners had in mind.
Wood, greenery and contemporary accents
The process of redesigning the palace began with the correction of the outdated and dysfunctional interior layout. The removal of an unused bathroom made it possible to enlarge the kitchen and better connect it to the living area. Next, space was designated for a fireplace, pizza oven, home cinema and library. Each of the areas was adapted to the scale of the rooms, while maintaining clear communication routes. They were complemented by individual designs for fixtures and furniture. It was these that allowed the palace interiors to be revived and continue to impress.
The palace interiors reborn
The greatest pride of the new residents of the Palace in Podole Wielkie and the designers from the Szydlik Wnętrza studio is the 430 cm high wooden self-supporting staircase, created and designed in the smallest detail by a team of architects. The balusters, handrail form and proportions of the structure were based on the stairs in another part of the building and on archival materials relating to the more than 170-year-old residence. Next to the stairs, a bar and library furniture were also designed, which only emphasised the craftsmanship of the entire rebuilt interior.
About the studio
Szydlik Wnętrza is a studio run by Krzysztof and Rita Szydlik, focused on designing private and commercial interiors. Krzysztof, a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, combines reliable craftsmanship with modern design tools, consistently building coherent concepts. Rita is responsible for coordinating projects and liaising with investors, ensuring clear communication, organisation of the process and timely completion. The studio emphasises attentiveness to the needs of users and a refined effect.
Design: SzydlikWnętrza
Photographs: Jakub Nanowski – PERSPEKTYWA
Read also: History | Villas and residences | Modern classic|Architecture in Poland|Palace
