Her flat is located in a historic building in Gdynia. Dorota Terlecka of Biuro Kreacja designed her private space in such a way that she feels most comfortable here. The muted colours and old furniture slightly allude to the modernism so characteristic of the city. She took care of every detail in this space.
Gdynia is a city that combines a unique modernist atmosphere, proximity to nature and energy conducive to creative work. For designer Dorota Terlecka, owner of the studio Biuro Kreacja, who has been passionately pursuing her professional visions for years, Gdynia is more than just a place to live. “For me, Gdynia is the perfect place to live. Here we have the sea, the forest, the cinema and museums within easy reach. Everything has a human, pleasant scale – it doesn’t overwhelm but also allows for a lot of activity,” she says with conviction.
Although she has moved around a lot, her heart has always been tied to this city. “I spent my studies in Lodz, but I always knew I would return to my hometown,” she emphasises. About a year ago, she made the decision to sell her house and move with her family and dog to a flat closer to the centre. “Some of my family and friends were pawing at my head, as most dream of having their own garden. I, on the other hand, knew what I needed. I don’t spend much time at home – I like to go out, meet people, travel and be in touch with nature. Gdynia offers all this at my fingertips.”
The choice of district was not accidental. The designer chose a location that allows her to enjoy proximity to both the centre and nature. “I chose a neighbourhood close to the centre so that I could go for a walk to the forest and to the sea,” she explains.
Modernism in an old building
Dorothy’s flat is located in a 1930s building, on the last, second floor. Thanks to its exposure to three sides of the world, the interior is extremely sunny. “The flat has a simple, bright layout: the living room is connected to the kitchen, and a double glass door leads to the bedroom. The optical connection between the two rooms enlarges the space and provides daylight from morning to evening. The bedroom additionally has a fireplace, which introduces a cosy atmosphere,” – he recounts.
When designing the interior for herself, Dorota made a conscious decision to keep some of the original elements. “I didn’t want to forcefully throw out everything left by the previous owners. I left the oak parquet floor and some of the door joinery. However, the division of the space is my idea – previously there were only two rooms, but now the flat is divided into three zones, which suits my needs better.”
Past inspirations
The interior of the flat draws inspiration from the modernism that Gdynia itself is famous for, which can be seen in the details – the arched finishes of the built-in in the living room or the furniture from the 1930s. “Natural materials such as wood, stone and green play a big role here. The gloss of the vintage glass display case is broken up by a matt nubuck sofa,” – he notes.
The interior style is the result of a long process and thoughtful design decisions. “I like a stylistic mix – things that are new with elements that bear the imprint of history on them. The chairs and table were left to me by the previous owners. Some of the furniture I designed myself, some I bought, but I took my time. After several moves, I know that sometimes it’s better to wait, see what you really need and buy something of value,” she explains.
The colour scheme of the flat is a harmonious interplay of shades of maroon, green and warm oak. All this – the natural materials, the history in the details and the thoughtful arrangement – creates the unique atmosphere of this interior. “It’s a place where I feel comfortable. It gives me the space to live, work and relax – and at the same time it is full of life and history that inspires me.” It is also a place that best reflects Dorota Terlecka’s colourful personality and design philosophy.
design: Dorota Terlecka, Kreacja Office
photography: Alka Murat
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