Almost 10 years ago, Izabela Siatkowska decided to change the course of her professional path – she gave up her job in real estate to try her hand as an interior designer. In 2016, after graduating from the Cracow Art Schools, she set up her own studio – siatkowskadizajns. Today, she has many successful projects to her credit, whether for private investors, service shops, chain shops or restaurants. What makes her projects stand out? Special attention to functional aspects, a soothing sensuality and the ability to reflect the client’s individual style in the interior entrusted to her.
Izabela Siatkowska – an interior designer ready for new challenges
Izabela Siatkowska started working as a designer almost 10 years ago, combining her practical experience in the real estate industry with her design knowledge. Since then, she has been developing her own brand step by step and broadening her remit by taking on a variety of challenges. She is particularly keen to measure herself against types of investment that are new to her. She recalls the projects of her first restaurant, beauty salon or hairdressing salon as the most evolving, as they required an exploration of new processes, standards, regulations and needs, as well as new aesthetics.
Among her most important experiences, the designer also mentions her collaboration with the Mydlarnia u Franciszka chain. Initially, the siatkowskadizjans studio was invited to refresh one of the showrooms, but the concept developed by the team worked so well that it was implemented in all the brand’s locations. The next step, and at the same time the culmination of the collaboration, was the design of the main showroom on the Cracow market square. Summing up this realisation, the designer points out that she then learnt how a coherent design can be scaled, maintaining the brand’s character in a variety of spaces.
What values and outlook guide your design work? What are your priorities in creating projects?
A functional plan, natural materials, consistency with the character of the development and real comfort for the people who will live or work there – this is my foundation. I arrange the space so that the lifestyle of the client is visible: their rituals, their pace, their needs. The interior has to work and move the senses – only then does aesthetics really make sense.
Do you have a favourite design style? If so, what kind?
I am closest to natural interiors, the atmosphere of townhouses and eclecticism, but I don’t stick to one aesthetic. I design with the individual in mind. The style is supposed to result from their way of life, not from my habits. I match the style to the investor – their daily rhythm, needs and habits.
What materials and technologies do you most like to use in your projects?
I prefer to go for natural materials – wood, stone, metal, glass – and those that reflect nature well. If I can’t use real stone, I look for a tile that is closest in texture and colour. I like microcement for its rawness and sterility, and ceramic tiles for their huge choice of textures. I pay a lot of attention to detail and touch: textures have to ‘work’ with people. I treat vegetation as another material that warms and enlivens the space.
What are your experiences of working with clients? What do you think is the key to a successful collaboration?
I work best when there is good, regular communication – without that, it is difficult to catch a common rhythm. I rely on openness: I tell them directly what works and what doesn’t, and I count on the same from the investor. I have worked with a wide variety of industries – from individual investors to chain shops – and I know that every project has its own dynamics, but clear guidelines, quick decisions and trust always win out. Details are also important: fixed milestones, deadlines, budgets, so that no one is surprised. The key is the partnership – when we work together, the project simply comes out better.
Can you describe the most interesting project you have worked on?
One of the most interesting projects was a house of approximately 350 m², realised in collaboration with a cubic architecture studio. The heart of the building is the staircase area, where we ‘planted’ a tree over 4.5 metres high – a living element that defines the entire character of the interior. This required a very precise analysis of the function and choice of materials. Everything – from the floors to the lighting – had to play with this focal point. The tree became the axis of the composition and the reference point for the colours, textures and rhythm of the space. It is a project in which functionality, nature and emotion have been combined into one coherent story.
Do you offer a consultation service?
Yes, I run design consultations – online or in person. We check functionality and aesthetics, look for the best solutions and savings. If necessary, I recommend proven contractors and suppliers.
