Pastelowe Cakery opened the doors to its 63-square-metre space in Warsaw’s Solec district in 2024, designed by the Znamy się studio (Bogna Kawa-Nowak, Wojtek Nowak, Monika Jokiel). The investor entrusted the architects with the full scope of development – from conceptual design to detailed design and industry coordination – and the lighting and finishes were supplied by the Chors brand. Pastel presents itself like a postcard from the Portuguese coast.
The key theme of the interior is three forms inspired by wave types: beach break, point break and reef break. The curved benches and rounded mirrors symbolise gentleness, inviting guests to relax as if on a sandy beach. The geometric rhythm of the shelves on the walls pays homage to the orderly power of point break, while the wavy, tunnel-like counter evokes the energy of reef break, provoking dynamic movement in the interior. Although Pastelowe’s space is intimate, every detail – from the shape of the counter to the curves of the seating – encourages a free-flowing experience of the space.
Palette of colours and textures
The interior comes alive with the juxtaposition of natural materials and soft tones. Warm oak plywood evokes the golden, sandy beaches of the Algarve, while steel and foil surfaces shimmer like sunlit reflections on the waves. The yellow spray foam covering the ceiling recreates the irregular texture of foamy water and makes even grey days take on a sunny glow. The deep sea blue, present in the Pastelowe branding and metallic details, completes the composition, creating a harmony between severity and subtlety.
Dreams, taste and craftsmanship
Pastel is more than a pastry shop – it is a celebration of the Spanish-Portuguese tradition of baking pastéis de nata and a tribute to the freedom of the surf. The authentic taste of the creamy pastry is intertwined here with an architectural narrative about the strength and diversity of the sea waves. The precise combination of forms, materials and colours creates a space where Warsaw’s everyday life gives way to a holiday escape. Every visit to Pastelowy is a journey to the Atlantic, where dreams of carefree mornings on the Portuguese coast are reflected in the interior.
Project authors: We Know Each Other (Bogna Kawa-Nowak, Wojtek Nowak, Monika Jokiel)
Photography: Almond studio (interior), Pastelowe (product), Nikita Kuksa (outdoor)
Furnishings: Chors
Read also: Warsaw | Bar | Restaurant | Interiors | Eclecticism | whiteMAD on Instagram
