The owners of a 60-square-metre flat in Warsaw approached architect Olga Milfort, founder of MILFORT.studio, with a clear objective. They wanted to create an interior with a Scandinavian flair that would be cosy, bright and welcoming for future tenants. Their unit consists of a bedroom, a living room with kitchenette and a bathroom. Due to the limited budget, the design was adapted to the existing room layout.
In her design, the architect focused on making maximum use of the available space and on quick and economical solutions. Most of the furniture was made from Ikea products, which reduced costs and time. The exceptions are the wooden bedside tables and sofa by Optisofa, which bring an element of craftsmanship and local design into the interior. The colour scheme of this interior was inspired by the typical flats you see in Stockholm. Bright, offwhite walls, ceilings, curtains and lighting form the backdrop for the other design elements. The chromatic colours here delineate the functional zones: kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom.
The living room is dominated by neighbouring colours on the colour wheel – green and yellow. The muted green introduces calm and creates a bridge between the interior and nature outside the window. The warm shade of yellow, on the other hand, adds energy and evokes evening light. The wall in the living area features wallpaper by Swedish brand Boras Tapeter with a floral pattern, which exudes folk character with a modern twist. The honey-toned oak flooring by Barlinek emphasises the natural character of the interior, while warm accents in the form of gold handles and door handles tie the whole project together.
The kitchen is kept in simple forms, but is distinguished by details – a ceramic sink, retro handles, irregular tiles above the worktop and a radiator reminiscent of a classic cast-iron radiator. These elements evoke a Scandinavian atmosphere in which functionality is combined with subtle aesthetics.
The bathroom design was intended to combine two moods: morning stimulation and evening tranquillity. The walls feature large tiles with an irregular, slightly glossy texture reminiscent of the surface of the moon. Their light grey colour introduces an impression of cleanliness and order, while creating a neutral background for the other elements. The contrast is provided by the green, small retro tiles, the wooden cabinet under the washbasin and the gold details of the fittings. Lighting plays an important role here. The cooler light from the ceiling lamps helps to start the day, while the warm sphere hanging by the mirror creates a relaxing atmosphere for the evening bath.
The bedroom was to be clearly distinguished from the rest of the flat, creating an intimate and private zone. This effect was achieved through the juxtaposition of complimentary colours that complement each other and create a contrast. The wall behind the bed was painted petrol blue with green tones, and the windows are decorated with heavy velour curtains in a warm maroon shade. This composition focuses attention on the bed and emphasises its importance in the room. The glass lamps next to the bed, reminiscent of stone, bring in a raw, Scandinavian feel. Gold details, such as the wardrobe handles and light fixture elements, complete the décor.
Design: Olga Milfort – MILFORT.studio
Photos: Paul of Simple Angles
Also read: architecture in Poland | whiteMAD on Instagram | Scandinavian style | interiors | flat | Warsaw
