Vintage chinoiserie and contemporary design come together in a 65-square-metre flat in Gdańsk. Iga Kozłowska of KOIGA designed the interiors, which overlook the Old Town. Her eclectic scheme draws on East Asian influences to give the flat a lively, intriguing character. The interiors were photographed by Natalia Kaczmarek of Inkadr.
An existing cabinet sets the direction
A vintage chinoiserie cabinet in black and gold, already in the flat, provided the starting point for the design. Inspired by the piece, interior architect Iga Kozłowska proposed extending its East Asian references throughout the home and combining them with contemporary European design. This introduced a number of unusual elements into the bright interior. The first appears at the entrance: a delicate wallpaper with a pink heron motif.
A console made in Poland from exotic timber stands against the wallpaper, beside a ceramic stool reminiscent of Chinese porcelain. The corridor leading to the main living space is lit by black and gold rattan wall lights from Spanish brand Aromas. Some existing furniture was retained in the living area, including a blue sofa and a yellow armchair. Together with a brick-red shade drawn from the buildings of Gdańsk’s Old Town, these pieces established the colour palette.
Furniture, lighting and a polychrome relief
Furnishings that combine references to East Asian art with contemporary design give the flat its individual atmosphere. Among the most notable pieces is the iconic Gervasoni light designed by Paola Navone. Its broad form defines the dining area, which also contains a bespoke indigo table and chairs with rattan backs from Polish company Paged. Although each piece has a strong presence, they form a coherent and unexpected combination.
In the seating area, a handmade bamboo light introduces a natural, lightweight element, as do the living plants. The finishing touch is a polychrome relief by Joanna Mazuś. Its gold leaf, cobalt and pigment ground by hand by the artist complement the interior’s colours and style. This unusual artwork gives the flat an individual, timeless character.
A bedroom with Japanese references
A see-through partition in the living area provides an unusual solution in both visual and practical terms. It separates the kitchen and dining space from the seating area while allowing daylight to pass through freely. Steel-and-glass doors perform a similar role at the entrance to the quiet, intimate bedroom. They provide acoustic separation without restricting the light.
Wallpaper with a Japanese motif is the main feature in the subtly enclosed bedroom. On one side, it is partially covered by slats, introducing movement and asymmetry. A German bedside cabinet from the 1960s stands on the other side of the bed.
Products used in the project
- Black and gold rattan wall lights: Aromas
- Dining-area light: Gervasoni, designed by Paola Navone
- Chairs with rattan backs: Paged
An existing piece of furniture can provide the starting point for a new interior. Explore more projects by Iga Kozłowska of KOIGA Studio on her PLNDesign profile and get in touch by email, phone, website or social media, whichever suits you best.
See also:
- A sea-inspired Gdańsk flat for a dental student planning to stay
- A Warsaw apartment for a couple and two cats, with shelves to climb
