The 62 sq m flat in Warsaw’s Żoliborz district was designed as a contemporary interpretation of post-war modernism. This intriguing, colourful 1950s atmosphere is the work of Kamila Palmowska-Ziemba. The designer based her concept primarily on respect for the past of this place, creating a modern interior that evokes the spirit of a bygone era.
The atmosphere of the 1950s in Żoliborz
The flat gives the impression of spaciousness at first glance, thanks to its high ceilings and skilful use of daylight. The greenery outside the windows, so characteristic of Żoliborz, was treated as one of the elements of the design. Kamila Palmowska-Ziemba’s design is based on natural materials, panelling, a subdued colour palette and calm rhythms of divisions. This is the foundation for further accents appearing in the floors, design classics and other details.
A flat in a post-war tenement house
One of the most important elements of the design is the oak parquet flooring laid in a classic herringbone pattern. During the renovation, a fragment of the original flooring from the former kitchen was recovered and, after renovation, reused in the study. Through this intervention, a piece of Żoliborz’s history was given a second life in a new reality. The hallway, originally narrow and difficult to arrange, has become distinctive thanks to a mosaic floor made of small tiles in shades of blue, terracotta and beige. This rhythm of colours refers to the post-war practice of using available materials, often in limited quantities, and leads the user further. The mosaic motif appears in subsequent versions in the bathroom and kitchen.
The atmosphere of the 1950s – bathroom and kitchen
The designer has designed the bathroom around a terrazzo countertop, whose irregular shape adds visual depth. It is accompanied by hexagonal tiles with a floral motif and symmetrically arranged fluorescent wall lamps, inspired by the technical aesthetics of the late 20th century. A subtle wall separating the shower area organises the layout without clear, closing divisions. In the living area, the lounge flows seamlessly into the kitchen. The centrepiece of the room is a restored round table from the 1940s, paired with Rajmund Hałas’s “Motylki” chairs in orange velour upholstery. The kitchen serves as a calm backdrop, with blue upper cabinet fronts, cream-coloured lower cabinets and an oak worktop, complemented by glazed tiles with a wavy texture.
Post-war modernism in Warsaw
The atmosphere of the bedroom is based on a light metal bed frame and a cooler colour palette, broken up by blue panelling and industrial Zangra wall lamps. A poster by Robert Kuta adds an artistic touch to the room. The custom-designed wardrobe has been “blended” into the wall thanks to its neutral colours and subtle milling. The child’s room has been kept in light shades, enriched with colourful accessories and a mobile inspired by kinetic sculptures. The study, which stands out for its uncompromising simplicity, was arranged in the former kitchen. A long wooden worktop, a Cesca Marcel Breuer chair and a technical lamp on an arm create a functional workspace that resonates with the modernist spirit of the building.
About the author of the project
Kamila Palmowska-Ziemba designs interiors based on proportion, material and detail, focusing on authenticity and timeless solutions. She avoids rigid divisions, combining classic forms with contemporary elements, vintage objects and art. She treats colour as a tool for organising space and giving it rhythm. She carries out projects from concept to completion, in collaboration with craftsmen and artists.
Design: Kamila Palmowska-Ziemba (/palmowska__studio/)
Photos: Mateusz Kowalik (/mateusz_kowalik/)
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