The owner’s wish for a dark flat intrigued Dorota Kwiecień, an interior architect at PIM Concept, from the outset. He wanted deep black and brown tones, fine materials and refined finishes. The resulting eclectic home has a strong, masculine character while feeling intimate and elegant. It was photographed by Kaja Osikowska-Tasz of Pietruszka fotografia.
Black and brown throughout the flat
The client’s brief was a welcome departure for the designer from the pale, neutral colours and minimalist furnishings common in residential interiors. He brought bold references combining a Renaissance atmosphere with contemporary minimalism. The rooms were to have a refined, masculine character, expressed through strong, dark shades.
Black and brown tie the flat together, making it feel both elegant and warm. The dark palette creates an intimate, slightly mysterious atmosphere. Ample sunlight keeps the black walls from feeling oppressive. As the intensity of the daylight changes, the dark surfaces take on different qualities, from energetic and expressive to soothing and sensual.
Wood, textiles and scent
Atmospheric lighting in every room and recurring elements in wood contribute to the intimate mood. In the living area, pronounced walnut grain on the kitchen fronts sits alongside richly coloured cognac parquet. Thick textiles in strong colours, including cushions, throws and the headboard, bring warmth and comfort to the bedroom. They offset the black walls, with an unexpected area of off-white just above the bed.
Soft beige and black marble create a relaxing interplay in the bathroom. The marble recurs in several rooms, adding variety through its natural veining. In the bathroom it is paired with warm-toned natural accessories and gold taps, which act like refined jewellery within the restrained composition. The owner’s love of unusual perfumes adds another sensory dimension to the flat. Notes of musk, incense and forest floor combine with the refined rooms to heighten the sense of luxury.
A contemporary cabinet of curiosities
A gold shelving unit in the living area is one of the flat’s most intriguing elements, standing out against a black wall. It was designed specifically for the space and made to exacting standards of craftsmanship. Its purpose is to display souvenirs collected by the owner on his many travels. Both its appearance and its function recall Renaissance cabinets of curiosities, known as Kunstkammern, which housed private collections of unusual objects such as artworks, coins and exotic souvenirs.
Artistic references appear throughout the eclectic flat in unexpected ways. Selected areas of wall in every room are accented with mouldings that subtly reference neo-Baroque and classical ornament. A disciplined, precise choice of accessories keeps the rooms practical and visually light despite their strong elements and predominantly dark palette.
Personal collections can help shape a home, from its storage to its lighting and finishes. Explore more projects by PIM Concept on its PLNDesign profile and get in touch by email, phone, website or social media, whichever suits you best.
See also:
- Eucalyptus veneer lines a Japandi rental flat in Kraków
- Tiger motifs decorate a 78-square-metre flat in Gdańsk
