In a neo-Renaissance tenement house from the early 20th century in Wilda, Poznań, an interior has been created that combines respect for history with a distinctive, contemporary sensibility. Magdalena Majewska, architect and founder of the Odaoda studio, is responsible for the design. This time, she designed for herself and her family, which gave the whole process a special and personal character.
The tenement building in which the flat is located caught the family’s attention eight years ago. Not only because of its architectural form, but also because of its location on a quiet, tree-lined street. It is a rare combination – the very centre of the city and, at the same time, daily contact with greenery, which slows down the rhythm of life and gives the space a softness and natural breath. Although the building was constructed before the war, its design proved to be surprisingly modern. The layout of reinforced concrete ceilings and joists allowed for far-reaching changes to the apartment’s layout.
Five small rooms were transformed into three full-size, comfortable spaces: a bedroom and a child’s room on the east side and a spacious living room with a kitchenette facing west. As a result, light became one of the main building blocks of the interior, and the view of the tree-lined street brought the natural scenery of the changing seasons inside.
The transformation of the functional layout went hand in hand with care to preserve the original character of the flat. The damaged but preserved doors were carefully renovated. The Art Nouveau stucco in the living room, which had been removed when the rooms were joined, was recreated with precision, restoring its former lightness. Classic oak parquet flooring was laid, and new wooden windows and brass handles were made based on historical models so that they would blend harmoniously into the fabric of the place.
The interior is brought to life by furniture that the owner has been collecting for years. Most of it is vintage – icons of design. The collection is constantly changing, and the flat functions as an open composition: elements appear and disappear, creating a fluid, constantly evolving narrative.
The focal point of the living room is a Danish wall unit from the 1960s by Kai Kristiansen, made of Brazilian rosewood. It is accompanied by classics: Charles Pollock’s Executive Chair for Knoll, Gianfranco Frattini’s glass coffee table for Cassina, Toshiyuki Kita’s Wink chaise longue and Gae Aulenti’s 1977 armchair. The only contemporary accent in this part of the flat is a Hay sofa upholstered in grey wool, which provides a soft counterpoint to the bold vintage forms.
The kitchen is designed in dark, black-waxed veneer, which is paired with an oak table and teak chairs by Johannes Andersen. Sonia Dubois’s graphics appear on the walls – her work also reappears in the bathroom, which is decorated in cool, grey tones.
Art is present here in an unobtrusive but significant way. The bedroom is dominated by a large-format work by Karolina Bielawska, the living room features an oil painting on board by an unknown artist, and the hallway displays a photograph taken by the owner herself. These elements are not merely decorative, but contribute to the atmosphere – they are traces of personal choices and emotions.
photos: ZASOBYStudio
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