Although its area is only 50 square metres, it seems to offer more space than many other premises of similar size in new developments. The design for the transformation of this 1960s flat in Katowice was prepared by architects from the Kubieniec Długosz studio. The designers decided to take advantage of the modernist spirit of the building, creating a place with an original character.
The immediate surroundings immediately reveal that this is a place with a long history. Tall, mature trees envelop the building and peek into the windows, even on the upper floors. This greenery is not decoration — it is a permanent feature of the residents’ everyday life, a natural backdrop that permeates the interior and influences its atmosphere.
The owners of the flat are a young, professionally active couple who dreamed of a space that would suit their contemporary lifestyle. The original layout — two separate rooms, a closed kitchen and a small bathroom — did not allow for this. The project therefore began with an analysis of the functions and bold decisions regarding the partition walls. This made it possible to create a clear, modern plan: an open living area with a kitchen, a separate bedroom and an enlarged bathroom. At the same time, the installations, radiators and floors were replaced — the old parquet flooring could not be saved due to the installation substances used in the past.
The new layout became the framework for an interior that combines vintage inspirations with modernity and also takes into account the needs of the third member of the household – the cat. The designers opted for natural materials and a warm colour palette. The classic herringbone oak floor gives the space elegance and at the same time emphasises its timeless character. The colours — creams, brick, orange, pink and burgundy — create a multi-layered composition in which each shade has its place. Brass details add a subtle shine to the whole.
From the moment you step inside, it is clear that this flat has been designed with attention to every detail. To the left of the entrance is a wall finished with small, shiny tiles with a geometric structure that reflect light from the living area. It is accompanied by a strip of patterned tiles with orange accents — a motif that recurs throughout the flat, tying it together visually. Against this backdrop, the bright orange bench acts as an energetic introduction to the rest of the interior. On the right-hand side is a cream-coloured structure concealing the bathroom and kitchen units. Its rounded corners soften the geometry of the space and lead further into the living area. The change in flooring material (microcement in the entrance and wet areas, oak herringbone in the living room) has made the surfaces easier to maintain.
The kitchen has been designed to combine functionality with a distinctive character. The tall cream-coloured cabinets house a refrigerator, washing machine and oven, remaining almost invisible. The low wooden cabinets along the wall are highlighted by red, geometric glossy tiles that smoothly transition into the wall painted in the same colour. The hanging cabinet with a hood and the shelf above the worktop create a coherent composition, while the golden bases of the wall lamps add elegance. The kitchen scene is completed by a cream-coloured island on orange legs, also finished with red tiles.
In the living room, the view outside the window plays first fiddle — greenery that changes with the seasons. It is accompanied by a comfortable sofa, hanging bookshelves and a veneered TV cabinet on brass legs. The space is brought together by a painting by Nikodem Szpunar, which adds a strong colour accent. Delicate cream curtains running from the kitchen to the wall behind the sofa add softness to the interior.
The bedroom is accessed through built-in furniture, which serves as a utility closet and wardrobe on the corridor side and a spacious everyday wardrobe on the bedroom side. A low wine-coloured chest of drawers has been placed under the window, which also serves as a seat. It is a place where you can sit down, put your book away or simply pause for a moment.
The bathroom combines subtlety with expressiveness. The shower area is finished with powder-coloured tiles with rounded corners, and the shower tray is made of brick-coloured tiles. A radiator in the same shade creates a coherent composition. On the other side, there is a veneered cabinet under the washbasin, combined with patterned tiles with orange accents. A golden wall lamp reflected in the mirror adds elegance to the interior, and the white toilet cabinet provides the necessary storage space and a water heater. Beautiful and practical!
design:Kubieniec Długosz (Katarzyna Długosz, Joanna Kubieniec)
photos: ZASOBYSTUDIO
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