In one of Warsaw’s tenement houses on Hoża Street, there is a flat that reveals the temperament of its owners from the moment you step inside. Ola, a Polish fashion photographer, and her partner, also involved in the photo-video industry, needed a space that would not only meet the demands of their intense professional lives, but also reflect their character — especially hers, which is colourful, expressive and unafraid of strong accents. The distinctive space was designed by Aleksandra Niewczas-Marek from the Interroom studio.Studio.
The interior design did not involve a revolution, but a conscious refresh: painting the walls, moving the stucco, renovating the parquet flooring that had been replaced a few years earlier by the previous owners. However, the most important task was to make the most of the 47 square metres with an impressive height of 320 centimetres. The owners had many personal items that needed to be cleverly hidden, so all the built-in furniture was extended up to the ceiling, creating a coherent, functional framework for everyday life.
The bedroom was treated as a breath of fresh air — calmer, more subdued, based on the existing wardrobe structure, which gained new off-white fronts, a top section and a rounded post to soften the structure. Artemide Tolomeo lamps were placed by the bed, and paintings by Arman Galstyan hung on the adjacent wall, introducing a subtle dialogue between light and art. This is an interior that does not need to shout — silence and soft light are enough.
The hallway, although small, was treated with equal attention. The existing wardrobe bodies were retained, with the fronts replaced with mirrored ones, which immediately enlarged the space optically. Extensions were added, and one of the modules was transformed into Ola’s dream element made of burl veneer — with space for shoes and hangers. This part of the interior acts as a showcase: elegant, functional, with a distinct material accent.
The living area, where the kitchen flows seamlessly into the living room, underwent the most dramatic transformation. The investors dreamed of non-standard cabinet dimensions — 105 centimetres in height — which allowed for a more ergonomic and professional look. Stone and steel meet in the kitchen, but it is the colourful, glossy lacquered island that plays the leading role. Its form and colour, combined with Calacatta Rose marble, create a strong, joyful accent. The backdrop is light-coloured cabinets with a steel worktop and a recessed sink, and the whole is tied together by a blue shelf running above the sofa. A steel lamp by the Polish brand Lexavala hangs in the space, adding industrial lightness. The living room also features a bookcase with a non-standard layout, designed to accommodate Malwina Konopacka’s distinctive vase.
The bathroom, the only room to undergo a complete renovation, has become a tribute to Japanese aesthetics. A small built-in bathtub has been fitted into the small space, and the composition of colours and curves gives it a soft feel. The green-blue gloss of the washbasin cabinet is combined with a Calacatta Viola marble countertop, and the checkerboard floor adds rhythm and energy. A washing machine and dryer are hidden in a rounded column, so that functionality does not disturb the visual harmony.
design: Aleksandra Niewczas-Marek Interroom.Studio
photos: BartoszJakubowski
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