In a historic building from 1912 in Old Mokotow, which luckily survived the turmoil of war without any damage, there is a flat with many visual layers, a veritable high craft. The building was saved thanks to its proximity to the former barracks, which provided a kind of protection for the neighbouring areas. Today, the next generation of families of soldiers and military personnel live here. Architect Wojciech Nowak of the NOWW studio has created a design that interprets the site’s rich history through the prism of contemporary sensibilities and a craftsmanlike approach to detail.
The 60sq m flat occupies the top floor of the building. Its existing layout with two rooms and a separate kitchen, bathroom and toilet has undergone significant changes. The kitchen was moved into the living room and treated as an integral architectural module, and a bedroom was created in its former location. The entrance to the bathroom was also changed to introduce a logical and coherent kitchen line. The owners wanted solutions that went beyond the typical schemes. The new arrangement was intended to facilitate their daily rhythm in an atmosphere of rest and regeneration.
A flat in Mokotów – the beginning
Before modernisation, the interior did not abound in original elements. The exceptions were two pairs of oak doors which, after renovation, serve as an important accent and bridge between the history and the current layout and décor. Other elements needed replacing or reinforcing, so the flat’s ceilings and walls were refreshed, new fixtures and fittings were laid, herringbone oak parquet flooring was laid, and the former entrance to the bathroom was replaced by a circular skylight. This element, full of character, has become one of the most recognisable details of the entire interior. The bathroom uses a layout that deviates from standard concepts. The glazed wall of the shower is set at a 30-degree angle, creating an interesting geometry and optically widening the small space of the room.
High craftsmanship, a multi-faceted composition of light, textures and materials
The interior design is based on the idea of creating a flat full of interpenetrating perspectives, interacting textures and subtly juxtaposed colours. This has resulted in an impression of harmony and limited expression, while at the same time maintaining an expressive language of forms. The arrangement does not adhere to a single convention. Elements inspired by different eras have been introduced here, reinterpreted with the current needs of the users in mind. These include cabinets covered with black enamel tiles from the 1960s and kitchen fronts that refer to the idea of marquetry. The entire space is based on material juxtapositions. Note the boldly chosen stones and the carefully planned lighting. The circular skylight between the kitchen and bathroom distributes warm light towards the living room, acting as a small energy source placed in the centre of the flat.
Rich colour palette and expressive details
The colour scheme of the interior is based on a combination of several shades of wood and beige walls with a heterogeneous texture. In the living room, the focus is on the aforementioned skylight, the red eaves panel and the Calligaris sofa in olive green. The whole is ordered by a rhythmic arrangement of oak half-beams, creating an architectural background for the living space. Wojciech Nowak designed the study as a wooden capsule with a distinctive cornice. This treatment creates an atmosphere that aids concentration. The bedroom juxtaposes violets inspired by a baroque palette with a soft sand-coloured carpet. The chequerboard motif is carried through to the ceiling, creating a striking effect that enriches the entire room. The bathroom, on the other hand, is an affirmation of natural stones. Verde Guatemala appears there alongside Rojo Alicante and Rosso Levanto, creating an unusual composition with an evocative mood and strong expression. The flat also features art, such as works by Norman Leto, Magda Karpinska and Tom Baran. Their works do not compete with the architecture of the interior; they are merely a discreet commentary on the atmosphere of the place.
High craft in Mokotow plus accessories
The arrangement by the NOWW studio is based on objects chosen with great care for their provenance. The flat contains objects searched for at vintage auctions and pieces obtained from renowned Polish galleries. The overall design responds to the premise of creating a flat that avoids impersonal minimalism. Each material and detail was thought through in terms of its relationship to the others, resulting in an interior with a unified energy. The interior works with the rhythm of light, textures and colours, creating an environment that resonates with its inhabitants.
Design: Wojciech Nowak/NOWW
Photographs: Mood Authors
Read also: Apartment | Interiors | Warsaw | Eclecticism | Detail | whiteMAD on Instagram
