On the top floor of an eight-storey building in Stary Mokotow is a 100 m² flat. The flat, which once belonged to the architect – the author of the building that originally served as the Office of the Council of Ministers of Warsaw – was designed from scratch with the needs of a young family with two children in mind. The space has been given new functions: a large bathroom with a sauna, a bedroom with a wardrobe and a small office, and a corridor equipped with a capacious wardrobe providing a two-way link between the living area and the children’s room.
Warszandi – harmony and minimalism in a modern design
The design aesthetic is based on the principles of Japanese minimalism, where harmony and natural materials are key. Wood, soft fabrics, rattan and a subdued colour palette dominate – creams, beiges, shades of wood, broken with black and red. The whole creates a cohesive, cosy atmosphere.
The gentle atmosphere is enhanced by the silk lamp shades, which softly diffuse the light. As the authors of the project emphasise: “This is not, however, a classic recipe for japanning, but rather a search for harmony not devoid of character.”
Japandi with a twist
The interior combines calm with elements of surprise. Brushed metal, smoked glass, chechotte, irregular Zellige tiles or fired ceramics appear alongside natural materials. Colour accents, such as the blue portal or the carved handles, introduce a contemporary lightness. Red, on the other hand, gives the arrangement a distinctive touch. Minimalism has gained material depth here, which adds individuality and subtle drama to the whole.
Geometry and a nod to the design of the 1960s and 1970s.
The furniture is characterised by simplicity and elegance. The softly shaped sofa, the built-in lounger under the windows or the bookshelves have been designed to fit seamlessly into the architecture of the flat. The sculptural kitchen island and the diagonal line of the wardrobe form coherent geometric units.
The decorative veneer, the vertical lines of the tiles in the bathroom and the structured paint are conscious references to the modernist design of the 1960s and 1970s. The wardrobe is separated from the bedroom by three-dimensional Mutina & Patricia Urquiola bricks, which celebrate the authenticity of the material and its subtle imperfections.
Warszandi as an example of conscious design
The walls are decorated with works by Karolina Szwedt, experimenting with embroidery and geometric abstraction. The entire project, created by the Lessness studio (Dominika Strzałka-Rogal in collaboration with Karolina Mystek), styled by Natalia Horak and photographed by Mood Authors, shows that contemporary interiors can combine functionality, aesthetics and a deep respect for materials. The ‘Warszandi’ flat is an example of how to create a space with soul from seemingly simple forms – calm, minimalist and yet full of character.
Design: Lessness, Dominika Strzałka-Rogal in collaboration with client Karolina Mystek / lessness.pl
Styling: Lessness, Natalia Horak / lessness .pl
Photos: Mood Authors / https://moodauthors.com/
About the studio:
Lessness Studio is a Krakow-based design studio led by Natalia Horak, Dominika Strzałka-Rogal and Michał Franczak combining experience from the borderline of art and architecture. Their projects are guided by the principle of moderate minimalism, aiming to create spaces that have an intrinsic quality. Other flats by the studio can be found by clicking on the links below:
- URBAN JUNGLE WITH VINTAGE TOUCHES. A PEEK INTO AN 85-SQUARE-METRE FLAT IN CRACOW! (HERE)
- 68-SQUARE-METRE FLAT WITH A LARGE TERRACE IN KRAKÓW (HERE)
- a 60-SQUARE-METRE FLAT WITH A GARDEN. IT’S COMFORTABLE, STYLISH AND FUNCTIONAL!
Read also: Architecture | Apartment | Interiors | Poland| Architecture in Poland | Concrete| Glass
