The flat occupies a 1929 apartment building designed by Roman Feliński on Filtrowa in Warsaw’s Stara Ochota district. Loft Kolasiński’s project involved renovating and partially remodelling every room. The studio aimed to draw loosely on the flat’s historic character. Photography is by Karolina Bąk.
The appeal of a period flat
Atmosphere, generous rooms, varied design possibilities and a good location are among the main attractions of flats in period buildings. Built from brick, these buildings have much thicker walls than many new developments. The walls keep out sounds and conversations from neighbouring flats and help the interior stay cool on hot days. High ceilings and multiple rooms often allow for features such as a mezzanine, dressing room or pantry. Large windows admit plenty of daylight.
Location is another advantage, with period flats offering homes in sought-after parts of a city, such as its old town or market square. Many still contain original features, including fireplaces, timber parquet, joinery and decorative details. Loft Kolasiński’s project belongs to this category of historic interior.
Restored finishes and specially made furniture
Traditional plaster covers the walls, while decorative finishes were painted by hand. Craftspeople specialising in the conservation of historic buildings restored the timber joinery and parquet floors. Loft Kolasiński designed and made a table, bed, mirrors, and kitchen and bathroom furniture for the flat. Steel dressing-room fittings, ventilation grilles and curtain poles were also designed and made for the project.
The interior includes unusual furniture, lighting and rugs, with designs by Maria Chomentowska, Antonin Kybal, Eero Saarinen, Kai Kristiansen, Franz Hohn, Władysław Wołkowski and Roger Lecal. The selection also includes a piece identified as “Nelson Bench” [?]. Armchairs made at the Zadziel factory in the 1950s are a particular feature and underwent specialist restoration. Photographs by Maria Svarbova decorate the walls. The Warszawa Filtry project marks the opening of Loft Kolasiński’s Warsaw office.
Restoring a period flat involves working with the details that survive. Explore more projects by Loft Kolasiński on its PLNDesign profile and get in touch by email, phone, website or social media, whichever suits you best.
See also:
- Pastel colours and a geometric mural decorate a Warsaw flat
- Hall walls come down to brighten a 51-square-metre Warsaw apartment
