Its interior was designed by architects from Studio Method. The young family’s flat is 80 square metres and has become a new home for four people. The minimalist and functional interior draws on Finnish design.
The investors are familiar with this aesthetic. They previously lived in Finland for several years and were familiar with Finnish design. That is why their flat in Gdynia features design classics such as Artek furniture from the 1950s, String and Vitra accessories.
In the design, it was important to create a comfortable living area for the whole family. By demolishing some of the walls, it was possible to connect the kitchen with the living room and let in more natural light. A functional space was arranged in the former pantry, which now serves as a home office. In addition, the flat has two bedrooms, a bathroom, a laundry room and a dressing room.
When designing the interior, the architects kept the building’s past in mind. Wanting to refer to the old décor, they finished the walls and ceilings with traditional cement-lime plaster. The white walls became a backdrop for personal items and memorabilia. The roughness of the walls is warmed up by the herringbone oak parquet floor.
In the new interior design, the kitchen separates the living area from the office. In its centre is a rectangular island with stools. This is where the residents can spend time cooking or eating together. The entire living area has been given a cosy feel thanks to the fabrics designed by Finnish designers from the Saana ja Olli studio.
An interesting feature is the small space behind the sliding door. The architects designed a laundry room there.
In the dining area stood the String bookcase, where, in addition to books, one can find several classic designs (Marimekko, Stoff Nagel, Artek, Polam-Wieliczka) and analogue photographic compositions made by the owner of the flat. A TON round oak table occupies a prominent place, surrounded by classic Noises, upholstered in black upholstery with a loop weave. In the living room, the seating area is separated by an oriental rug. Opposite the sofa and Trienna (Artek) table is a low dresser with a vintage audio set. The walls are decorated with a sculpture by Akiko Mori, spotted by the owners in a local art gallery in Helsinki, and a ‘Cosmos’ kilim from Polish craftsmen (Splot Kilim).
Minimalism characterises the bedroom. A low bed with a wooden frame is juxtaposed with chrome wall lamps. A classic Vitra design serves as a bedside table. An element for reminiscing is a poster hanging on the bedroom wall. It recalls the Paimio sanatorium by Alvar and Aino Aalto, which the investors often visited.
Finally, the bathroom. For the bathroom, the designers opted for a contrasting combination of white and black tiles. The small room is optically enlarged by a wide mirror, and the impression of space is intensified by a dense grid of joints. This is an attractive and functional space for the whole family.
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Studio Method Studio about itself:
The modern model of life requires us to develop good structures: space, action and habits. Thanks to them, there is a chance to find ourselves in the immensity of possibilities and filter the amount of stimuli that surround us. We have developed methods, but we understand when new methods need to be created. We design buildings and interiors in both onshore and offshore environments. We have experience in managing projects from the first sketches through to the turnkey handover of a space.
design: Method Studio
photography: Hanna Połczyńska
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