This is an attractive part of Warsaw to live in. In Stary Mokotow, near the Iluzjon cinema, there is a tenement from the 1930s in which a flat has been furnished in an original way. From a dark and unsuitable place, the architects from the FUGA Architektura Wnętrz studio, together with the investor, transformed the interior into a private gallery where everyday life and art coexist in balance.
The 1930s tenement house became a reference point for the project. “The history of the building, the atmosphere inside and the ubiquitous architectural details became an obvious inspiration for us” – admits Antonina Sadurska of the FUGA Architecture Interiors studio. The desire to dialogue with the spirit of the place resulted in a bold rearrangement of the functional layout – a reflective bridge between the past and modernity. As the architect explains: “We wanted the flat to remain in constant dialogue with the spirit of the place, while at the same time responding to the contemporary needs of the investor – an active, sociable, fulfilled and at the same time devoted mother and grandmother”. The result is an open, amphilad space that encourages free movement and meetings.
The hallway introduces with flair: a long corridor with minimalist cabinetry conceals the wardrobes and builds suspense before exploring further. The neutral base – light walls, wooden floor, natural finishes – becomes the stage on which collectibles begin to shine. It is here that neutrality takes on a curatorial function: it allows the objects and works of art to speak in their own voice.
The communal area as a stage
The central living area connects the kitchen, dining room and living room, creating a space designed for both living and display. The kitchen impresses with its lightness: suspended white fronts with fluted handles, a stone worktop and subtle fittings. The presence of an abstract painting by Agnieszka Kicińska immediately marks the artistic character of the house. The dining room is a meeting of contrasts – a black USM Haller table juxtaposed with lime green chairs by Christophe Marchand brings freshness and dynamism to the subdued palette.
The living room is a space where modernist glamour meets the warmth of nature. A quilted sofa by Polish brand Veer in a dove grey tone, the iconic Maggiolina armchair and a glass table create a comfortable place to relax. On the walls and windowsills – paintings, prints, linocuts, photographs and sculptures, including works by Jaime Hayon – give the interior the feel of a private gallery.
Bedroom and bookcase with history
The bedroom is an intimate place of tranquillity, the axis of which has become the De Padova designer bookcase – a piece of furniture with a history, recovered from a friendly architect. The bookcase became the starting point for the arrangement: on its shelves, books on art and architecture are interspersed with small sculptures and paintings, creating a space for reading, creative work and contemplation. The layout leads further into the dressing room and lobby, enclosing the interior in a flowing circle that promotes harmony.
A bathroom with a reference to the past
The bathroom is a conscious play with the forms and formats of past decades: vertically laid brick tiles with contrasting grout evoke the spirit of the 1970s, but in an elegant, contemporary way. Wooden cabinetry and fluted details allude to solutions from the kitchen, while terrazzo on the floor is a nod to the modernist traditions of Warsaw’s townhouses.
Private living gallery
The project is an example of a skilful balance of layers – historical references, contemporary design and a personal collection. The architects solved the original functional problem: “The previous layout was not conducive to the client’s active lifestyle, effectively hiding the interior’s design potential. Therefore, we unanimously decided to open up the space, creating an original amphitheatre layout in which one can circulate freely between rooms,” says Katarzyna Burak, co-author of the project. Opening up the space and creating coherent zones was key in this project. Every detail – from the fluted fronts to the metallic accents – acts as a link between form and function.
design: FUGA Architektura Wnętrz
design team: Katarzyna Burak, Antonina Sadurska, Paulina Ostasz-Pięcek
photo shoot styling: Katarzyna Burak and Antonina Sadurska of FUGA Architektura Wnętrz
photography: Patryk Polewany, https://polewany.com
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