Filip Domagała is an interior designer with many years of experience. He finally decided to implement a project that he had been planning for a long time. He was looking for a space where he could allow himself complete creative freedom and use aesthetics different from those he usually works with for his clients. The opportunity arose when he came across a neglected flat in a pre-war tenement building. Despite the fact that the investment was commercial in nature and the flat was intended for sale after the renovation, it became a field for experimentation and personal satisfaction for the designer.
The flat in the tenement building and its history
The 52 sq m flat was located in a building that was partially destroyed by a bomb during the war. For decades, it was home to an elderly doctor who lived to be almost 100 years old. She left behind an interior full of memories, but in need of complete modernisation and a change of character. For Filip, it was the perfect place to realise an idea that had been maturing in his head for some time and was eager to come to fruition.
52 square metres full of challenges
Even at the inspection stage, the architect knew that the renovation would not be easy. The flat had no bathroom, and the shower was located in the kitchen. A small toilet was the only sanitary facility. During the work, it was discovered that the wall planned for demolition was structural and ran through all floors of the building. It was therefore necessary to reinforce the ceilings and use steel joists. This made it possible to open up the living space and create an impressive connection between the bedroom and the living room. The opening between them was framed with travertine and closed with metal and glass doors, which provided additional lighting for both rooms.
Ecology and the second life of objects
During the demolition, Filip tried to save as many elements from the past as possible. He sold or gave away some of the furniture to people who wanted to give it a new life, while the old doors ended up on a farm, where they were used as wall decorations. The architect admits that he wanted to ensure that as few materials as possible ended up in landfill. It was necessary to abandon the idea of reusing the wooden floors because of the harmful glue used to fix them.
Living in a tenement house and the spirit of design
Since none of the old items and finishing elements fit the new concept, the designer began searching for design classics. On the internet, he managed to find original furniture from past decades, including an armchair and chairs by Marcel Breuer and “Zetka” chairs by Ernst Moeckel. After being refurbished, they became the focal points of the new arrangement. It was they that gave the interior a vintage character, which Filip wanted to combine with modern solutions.
A departure from minimalism
The designer usually works in the aesthetics of Scandinavian minimalism, but this time he allowed himself to use bolder means of expression. He opted for warmer colours, noble materials and retro elements. He created a design based on a dialogue between contemporary trends and timeless elegance. Although the flat was intended for sale, the architect did not look for savings and consistently chose high-quality materials.
Original furniture by Filip Domagała
The interior design features oak floors, quartz conglomerate countertops, custom-made furniture, carefully selected stoneware and mosaics, and doors with concealed frames. The kitchen has a ceramic suspended sink and brushed steel fittings, while the bathrooms are equipped with ceramics from renowned brands. Every element has been refined down to the smallest detail. Filip Domagała designed the original furniture himself, including the table, lamp, handles, console and bed. In the design, he ensured maximum use of space and functional solutions, such as a TV storage compartment hidden behind a mirrored wall.
A flat in a renovated tenement house
The result is an apartment where high aesthetics go hand in hand with thoughtful functionality. For Filip Domagała, this project allowed him to break out of the mould and reminded him that interior design can be not only a profession, but also a personal form of creative expression.
Design: DOMagała Design (Filip Domagała)
Photos: Mood Authors
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