Anything can happen in an architect’s house! On the green outskirts of Gdańsk, in a quiet neighbourhood surrounded by forest, Magdalena Płatonow – interior architect and founder of the Rzecz Jasna Wnętrza studio – has arranged her home. She lives there with her husband, two daughters and an energetic dog. The couple decided on a 120-square-metre semi-detached segment with a garden. As the original spatial layout did not quite meet their expectations, the designer made a number of original changes. The interior was photographed by Natalia Kaczmarek from the InKadr studio!
Thoughtful layout and functionality – the heart of the architect’s home
The house is spread over two floors. It features a living room with an open-plan kitchen, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a practical pantry, a garage and a utility space at the entrance. The terrace and garden complete the whole, creating a harmonious living space.
The interior design was intended to reflect lightness and naturalness – pastel colours, materials such as wood, ceramics and micro-cement, as well as carefully chosen colour accents create a friendly, homely atmosphere.
The kitchen as the centre of home life – there is no room for randomness in the architect’s home
One of the significant changes Magdalena made was to redesign the kitchen. Giving up the classic corner layout, she created a long worktop with an island that seamlessly connects to the dining table. This gave the space a representative character, becoming the heart of the family’s daily activities.
As the designer herself points out: “The kitchen and living room were very important. I cook a lot, we spend a lot of time there…. but the garden was also key. I wanted these spaces to be as connected as possible.”
The table has been aligned with the large window, allowing all household members and guests to enjoy the view of the garden. The use of sliding windows meant that the terrace doubles as an additional open living room in summer.
In the architect’s house, it is the details that count – a design based on emotions and needs
In designing her own space, Magdalena was guided by questions about everyday experiences: “What do I want to see when cooking? What irritates me and what soothes me? What are the needs of my loved ones?” The same approach also accompanies her in her professional work for client projects.
The house is full of subtle solutions to respond to the needs of its inhabitants – both everyday and more emotional. The materials have been chosen with functionality in mind: wood, micro-cement, veneered furniture, lacquered MDF, ceramics, and a clay plaster that not only warms the interior visually, but also supports the natural microclimate.
Interior with soul – sensitivity and nature
Standout elements include a narrow wall of amber fused glass, which becomes a striking decoration in the evening – when illuminated. Above the island and table hangs a 2.5-metre-long stainless steel lamp, designed in collaboration with local brand Brighter.com – it emphasises the central place of the table and provides functional lighting.
The wooden furniture comes from the Smreki collection, while other furnishings were selected from IKEA, ZARA HOME, Scandicsofa, Omnires and Tres, among others. Some of the carpentry work was done by the architect’s husband himself, giving the interior an even more personal touch.
Art and memories – a family gallery in the architect’s home
Art plays a large part in the arrangement. On the walls, one can admire works by artists such as Aleksandra Skierska, Jerzy Malinowski, Daniel Gromacki, as well as paintings painted by the daughters. They are the ones that build the emotional dimension of the interior – they evoke memories, emphasise family values and passion for art.
A home that lives and gives space – a philosophy of living in harmony with nature
The architect emphasises that a house does not have to be perfect to fulfil its function: “This place is alive. There is space for work, play, relaxation, gardening, as well as for meeting friends and neighbours. It is for us, but also for the animals – the domestic ones and the wild ones. Birds, hedgehogs, insects – all are welcome. We are comfortable here.” Through conscious design decisions, Magdalena Platonov’s home has become a place that not only reflects her professional philosophy, but also the everyday needs of her loved ones. It is an interior that is open, warm and authentic – designed with relationships, nature and life in the here and now in mind.
About the studio:
Rzecz Jasna Wnętrza – “I am an architect and interior designer, founder of Rzecz Jasna Wnętrza studio. I graduated with a degree in Architecture and Urbanism from Gdansk University of Technology. Composition, analysis and creating unobvious solutions guide my way of thinking about the created space. I like colour and textures which, in the right harmony, give depth and character to interiors. I create realisations full of atmosphere. In my professional experience, I have worked on cubic projects, commercial and residential interiors, as well as shop displays and exhibitions. I have projects of various scales in my portfolio, but it is in interiors and furniture that I feel most comfortable. Privately, I am a wife, mother of two girls and owner of a characterful mongrel. I came to Gdańsk from Suwałki. It was there that I built my sensitivity to other people, nature and beauty. I like to sing, I cook well and I’m a great swimmer. I live very consciously. I love to develop and expand my boundaries, hence the need to set up Rzecz Jasna and express myself in this space.” – reads https://rzeczjasna.com/
Photos: Natalia Kaczmarek / www.inkadr.pl
Read also: Architecture in Poland | Gdansk| Single-family house | Interiors| whiteMAD on Instagram | Polish designers
