This 1990s detached house, with an impressive floor area of around 370 square metres, was in desperate need of a makeover. The owners entrusted the project to the architects at OSOM group. The project ran from December 2023 to September 2025 and resulted in the transformation of the outdated interior into a space full of softness, calm colours and subdued, gentle light. As can be seen in the photos in the slideshow, the renovation of a 1990s house can yield surprisingly interesting results.
The building was constructed over 30 years ago in the style of a suburban villa, with a large garden, swimming pool and sauna. However, these undeniable assets did not translate into comfortable living. The low ground floor was a result of old regulations and severely disrupted the functionality of the entire property. Among other things, it made moving around the house difficult and restricted access to parts of the first floor. Daylight, or rather the lack thereof, was also a problem. The small number of windows and the dense vegetation behind them effectively blocked out the sun’s rays.
The clients initially planned to rearrange the living area without altering the leisure zone or the garage. However, during discussions, certain changes in the household’s lifestyle came to light. The children, now adults, had lives of their own, independent of their parents. The son had moved out, whilst the daughter needed a private space in the attic. The existing layout of the house no longer served its former purpose, prompting the designers to examine it in a broader context.
Ultimately, the scope of the modernisation work quickly went beyond the original plans. As part of the refurbishment, the staircase was modified and the ceiling opened up, finally improving the relationship between the individual floors. In addition, all the windows were replaced, with their proportions altered and new openings added, naturally following consultation with the structural engineer. The façades and terraces were modernised, as was the pool area. An additional garage was also built next to the house. As a result, the initial plans for a partial interior refurbishment turned into a comprehensive redevelopment of virtually every element of the building.
A very significant and striking change is the huge mirrors in the hallway. The initial interior concept was both aesthetic and functional, but it lacked a sense of spaciousness, and the house is, after all, quite large. The glass panels have visually enlarged the entire room and distributed light into the darker corners. It now feels visually lighter, without the need for problematic structural alterations to the building.
The work took almost two years and required constant review of the design and progress. Some ideas were changed during the construction phase. The fabric-textured wallpaper, originally chosen for one of the rooms, proved difficult to achieve to the required standard of quality. It was therefore replaced with a delicate, beige plaster with subtle wear marks, which better met the homeowners’ expectations. As work progressed, the architects refined the details, modified the fittings and tested the materials in natural light. Upon completion, the house took on a more organised layout with a very calm character, offering much greater flexibility of use.
About the OSOM group studio
The OSOM group studio is run by Kasia and Tomek, who have been involved in interior design for years and develop their business based on experience and expertise. The studio treats collaboration with the client as a process based on a careful understanding of the needs and lifestyle of the household members. Knowledge of psychology and health plays a significant role in their projects, supporting the creation of spaces that facilitate daily life and a sense of security. The team handles projects comprehensively, from concept to supervision of the build, and their work spans Poland and selected European cities, including Berlin, Graz, Turin and Barcelona.
design: OSOM group
photos: Jasia Kurnyta
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Renovation of a 1990s house – interiors before and after
