Natalia Wronska is an interior designer of Polish descent who, after years of working with renowned design offices in London, Paris and Seattle, now runs her own studio, Wronska-Boutet. Her practice focuses on creating spaces that combine timelessness with a modern sensibility. Her latest Parisian flat project located near the Luxembourg Garden is an expression of this philosophy.
Inspirations: Picasso and Chapo
The design of the flat was inspired by the work of two artists associated with this part of Paris: Pablo Picasso and Pierre Chapo. Vronskaya juxtaposed the expressivity and colourfulness characteristic of Picasso with the economy of form and respect for material that were fundamental to Chapo’s work. Ceramics from Vallauris, by Capron, Maunier, Massier or Robert Picault, among others, bring intense colours and abstract forms to the interior. In contrast, wooden furniture inspired by the Chapo aesthetic appears. This opposition is tied together by a narrative based on a dialogue between artistic expression and functionality.
Precious materials and original solutions
The focal point of the flat is the kitchen in veneered walnut and with Alpi Verde marble worktops. Brass fittings with a patinated surface from Studio Ore and electrical fittings from the Polish brand Corston add elegance and depth to the interior. The table draws on Chapo’s work and is juxtaposed with vintage chairs by Juliusz Kędziorek, which combine simplicity with subtle finesse. Most of the furniture was created in collaboration with craftsmen in Poland and the UK. The furnishings are largely the result of a long search at flea markets. The living room features a wall lamp by Annie Maume, an Italian bookcase inspired by the style of Franco Albini, armchairs designed by Gérard Guermonprez, a wardrobe by Gerhard Bartels and antique ceramics from Accolay Pottery, Arola Keramik and Pieter Groenveld. Vronskaya deliberately chose objects that are not perfect in the classical sense, but contain layers of meaning and texture.
Polish references and artistic identity
There are also references to Polish heritage in the realisation. The corridor displays paintings by Lutka Pink, an artist whose work was transformed after her encounter with Picasso in the 1950s. The expression of her later abstract works became a source of inspiration for the designer. Alongside the artworks were wooden furniture and geometric tiles. The bathroom and toilet were arranged with Calacatta Breccia marble and brass accents, creating subtle, sculptural forms. The master bedroom is dominated by earthy-toned wood, and the interior is enhanced by a handmade wardrobe and minimalist furniture. Asymmetrical lamps by Claude Courjault, paintings hung above the bed and fat lave ceramics complete the look, giving it an intimate yet expressive feel. The smaller bedroom continues this aesthetic, introducing colour through the upholstered headboard and using furniture such as Anna Castelli Ferrieri’s 1968 reissue of the bedside table.
Parisian design as a living narrative
The flat by Natalia Wronska is not just a collection of carefully selected elements, but a coherent story about the search for a balance between art and functionality, history and modernity. The interior acquires a narrative dimension and becomes a stage for life, which gives it new meanings over time.
Design: Wronska-Boutet Studio
Photography: Clement Vayssieres
