In a tenement house from 1954 in the centre of Warsaw, there is a flat that reminds us of the beauty of classic solutions. The interior has an area of 115 square metres and was designed by Ewa Wolańska from the Perfect Living studio.The spacecombines the freedom of eclecticism with the elegance of mid-century modern. It is an interior where the present meets history, and old furniture and other items from different decades create a harmonious, well-thought-out whole.
The architect used authentic furniture from the 1960s – chairs, chests of drawers, tables, lamps – restored and placed in a new context. They are complemented by contemporary forms, such as a soft sofa with rounded lines, reminiscent of the arches in the passageways and the rounded fronts of the kitchen. The whole is complemented by works of art, posters and ceramics from the 1920s and 1960s, as well as modern accessories from Westwing, Embassy Interiors and Pastform.
A tenement house with history
The building in which the flat is located represents the socialist realist architecture of the 1950s – massive, monumental, but at the same time full of elegant details characteristic of the post-war reconstruction of Warsaw. A few years ago, it was described as one of the most interesting examples of post-war residential construction in this part of the city.
However, the biggest advantage of the property is its location. The ground floor, large windows and direct view of the historic park make it an attractive place to live. It was the view of the greenery that determined the choice of the flat by the owners, who had previously lived mainly in houses, always surrounded by old trees. The architect was therefore faced with the task of creating a space that would retain the atmosphere of a house rather than a typical urban flat.
A well-thought-out layout
The current layout of the flat is the result of a thorough renovation about a decade ago. The kitchen was moved to the living room, creating a single, open living area. The former kitchen was replaced by a children’s room with a wardrobe. The single bathroom and separate toilet were converted into two full bathrooms – one with a shower, the other with a bathtub.
The most distinctive feature is the master bedroom, separated from the living room by a glass wall. This keeps the space visually open, while allowing it to be covered with a white curtain for privacy at night. Openwork doors and light finishes make the functional divisions subtle and almost invisible.
Colour, light and materials
The design is based on white – a timeless, neutral colour that allows vintage furniture and architectural details to stand out. It is accompanied by black and white mosaics and natural materials: wood, veneers and stone. Each room features a burgundy accent, which breaks up the calm palette and gives the interior a distinctive character.
The owners wanted a bright, cosy space that gave a feeling of freedom. The architect emphasises that it was the play of light, the openness of the rooms and the consistent colour scheme that allowed them to achieve the effect they were most pleased with.
Furniture with history and personal touches
The design pays homage to objects from the past. The interior is filled with Chierowski and “Liski” armchairs, Danish chairs, a classic Thonet chair, a renovated chest of drawers from the “Człowiek z Komodą” studio, and lamps from the 1960s found in the Lata 60-te shop. Next to them are the owner’s family heirlooms and items brought from Canada, Copenhagen and Paris. They give the space its individual character and make the flat not just an aesthetic design, but a place with soul.
Ewa Wolańska emphasises that what gives her the greatest satisfaction is the owners’ happiness and the coherence of the entire project. This is an interior that does not try too hard – it is natural, functional, full of warmth and personal stories. Eclecticism here is not a random collection of objects, but a conscious composition in which each element has its place.
design: PerfectLiving
photos: Kamil Lech
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