The project was realised in a tenement house at 23 Dąbrowskiego Street in Mokotów, Warsaw. It is a building erected after 1926, designed by Aleksander Gutt-Gutowski. After reconstruction, the flat became an attractive place to live.
The project of changes was prepared by Magdalena Sapkowska. The building in which the flat is located once housed commercial premises, such as a wine warehouse or a soap shop; over the years it also hosted artists, including the painter Pelagia Dyniewicz-Krukowska. Its distinctive architecture and history inspired the creation of an interior where the past meets the modern.
The interior redevelopment project began in November 2023. The main objectives of the project were to maximise the preservation of the original elements of the space, such as the wooden parquet floor, the characteristic ‘bottles’ at the ceilings and the wooden door woodwork, which was carefully restored.
A premises with history
As the premises were intended to be rented out, the interior was designed in a flexible way, allowing future tenants to easily adapt it to their own needs. The entire arrangement refers to the French style, interweaving classic elements with modern finishes,” explains Magdalena Sapkowska.
One enters the flat through a restored red door, which refers to the French style. Just behind them, in the corridor, on the right, hangs a mirror with a small console, set on cast-iron brackets found on the site. The console is a practical element that facilitates organisation. In this space, the original linocut made by the Investors’ daughter attracts particular attention.
Changes to the functional layout concerned the kitchen, which was moved into the room and given the form of an annex. This is the living area, which is distinguished by dark curtains, a wooden dining space table and old tiled cookers. Their cast iron elements have been painted burgundy, a subtle reference to the leitmotif – the red front door.
Spirit of the past
The living room combines modernity with the historic spirit of the place. Contemporary elements such as the corner sofa and coffee table included a refurbished tremo, the frame of which was painted in the colour of the walls. In this way, the spirit of the past was brought into the interior.
The bathroom is completely new. It was created in place of the former kitchen and serves as a bathing room. The walls of the room are finished with stucco and the patterned tiles provide a strong accent, broken by the soft colours of the other surfaces. The contrasting washbasin cabinet and mirror combine modern forms with a retro aesthetic.
in the bedroom, there is an asymmetrical piece of furniture that serves as both a headboard and bedside table. The warm colouring of the wood emphasises the cosiness of the interior, harmoniously harmonising with the stony atmosphere. The entire arrangement is a play of details and a subtle balancing act between modernity and respect for the original historical fabric, thanks to which the space has retained its unique character,” concludes the designer.
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About the studio:
sAPKOWSKA DESIGN – Magdalena Sapkowska’s own studio – a space where design meets everyday life. The interiors created here are a harmonious combination of aesthetics, functionality and timeless quality. Each project is a unique story, based on a thorough understanding of needs and attention to every detail. It specialises in arranging both historic spaces and modern interiors. The common denominator is always an individual approach and a desire to create places that not only delight, but also remain close to their inhabitants for years to come.
design and photos: Sapkowska Design(www.sapkowskadesign.pl)
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