In the immediate vicinity of the Gdansk shipyard, a flat has been created that, from the first step, draws you into a world of intense colours and conscious design. Although small, it exudes the energy of a place where history and industrial heritage meet everyday functionality and contemporary aesthetics. It is a space that is not afraid of colour or expressive gestures, while remaining coherent and thoughtful.
Already in the lobby, the deep brick-red tones are striking. It envelops the walls, ceiling and floor, creating a theatrical foreshadowing of what awaits next. Black horizontal lines lead the eye deep into the flat, subtly alluding to the shipyard structures visible just outside the window. This is a first encounter with an interior that boldly draws on local inspiration, transforming it into the language of contemporary design.
The central part of the flat is the living room connected to the kitchen. Here, Polish design of the 1960s and 1970s has been reinterpreted – the modernist chest of drawers has regained its freshness and the armchair has gained lightness and elegance thanks to new upholstery. The interior is complemented by a collection of ceramics and functional glassware, featuring designs by contemporary artists alongside vintage objects. These small elements create the atmosphere of a home gallery, bringing lightness and humour to the space. The distinctive colour palette emphasises the natural depth of the furniture, while the juxtaposition of warm wood with raw flooring and brick kitchen units with olive-coloured furnishing accents creates a harmonious yet dynamic composition. This is complemented by the retro-inspired lighting, which adds softness and character to the interior.
The bedroom is immersed in a deep green, whose tonality evokes historical associations and has a soothing effect at the same time. The colourful cushions designed by Mai Laptos – burgundy, yellow and in moss tones – are arranged in a soft mosaic, breaking the austerity of the walls. Above the bed hangs Bartosz Kosowski’s film poster ‘Lolita’, awarded a gold medal by the American Society of Illustrators. Its vintage character introduces an element of playing with history, showing that in this flat the past is an inspiration, not a burden.
The bathroom continues the story with a bold approach to colour and form. The floor is decorated with retro-style square tiles, green and soft in feel, reminiscent of the pattern of an old checked shirt. The strongest accent is the shower cubicle in deep maroon, lined with biscuit-shaped tiles. It’s a solution that combines a playful tone with a sophisticated aesthetic, in keeping with the consistent balance of lightness and style present throughout the flat.
Paulina Rubinkowska’s project from the Fala Form studio proves that a small space can have a distinctive character. Instead of following Scandinavian neutrality, the interior boldly relies on colour, texture and objects with history. It combines the industrial past of the Shipyard with bold, contemporary design to create a flat that is both a manifesto and an invitation to an everyday life full of energy.
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About the architect:
Paulina Rubinkowska is a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts and has been involved in interior design for a decade, creating spaces that are tailored to the personalities and needs of their users. In her projects, she combines art with functionality, drawing inspiration from the history of a place and breaking patterns through innovative materials and original solutions. She treats each interior as a new adventure, in which dialogue with the client and attention to detail play a key role. Her work is not only about design, but also about building relationships and a collaborative atmosphere, making the process of creating an interior as unique as the result.
design: Paulina Rubinkowska Fala Form
photography: Fotomohito
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