An iconic armchair by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto was the starting point for this flat in Warsaw's Wola district, designed by Paweł Karwowski and Marta Feder. The chair sparked a 30-year-old civil engineer's interest in design and eventually led him to commission a home in which to display his collection. The flat and its international design collection were photographed by Paweł Biedrzycki of Kąty Proste.
A home for a collection gathered over years
Surrounded by parks, the flat was designed for Patryk, a 30-year-old civil engineer, lecturer at a Warsaw university and design enthusiast. He wanted an open space where he could relax among beautiful objects. The interior was to hold carefully selected pieces acquired during visits to museums and showrooms around the world. Plants in honey-coloured pots by Papeda also play an important part in the home.
The flat was bought with a developer's finish, ready for its interior fit-out, and originally consisted of three separate rooms. Paweł Karwowski and Marta Feder began by removing partition walls to open up the space. As the owner's furniture and accessories were to define the interior, the designers needed a subtle but considered backdrop. They chose a classical palette of pale colours to set off the furnishings. Grey-green microcement flooring provides a less conventional accent.
International design classics in the living area
Alvar Aalto's 41 Paimio armchair, the piece that started the collection, was an essential part of the interior. Its organic form is paired with a mirrored Slit Table Oblong coffee table by Danish brand HAY. Both stand on an irregularly shaped Earth Rug, produced by Bolia, which also makes the Island table in the seating area. An olive-green Liquid corner sofa with characteristic quilting, from Polish brand Wersal, and a Barbier ash sideboard by Zuiver complete this part of the room.
Further internationally recognised designs appear in the dining area, against the backdrop of minimal kitchen cabinetry. Zig-Zag chairs by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld surround a RUNDA table from Polish brand Minko. Lights by Danish brand Louis Poulsen hang above, while an Avocado lamp by Polish brand TAR stands in the seating area. Other distinctive pieces include a MONKEY wall light by Italian brand Seletti and a Rondo mirror by Oskar Zięta. Accessories range from steel bowls in Iittala's Alvar Aalto Collection to a drops Candelabra by German brand Fundamental Berlin, with spiral candles by HAY.
Design for work and daily use
A separate room provides a comfortable workspace that combines practicality with an unusual appearance. A Chippensteel 0.5 Inox chair by Zięta Studio sits at a Copenhague CPH190 desk, designed by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec. The careful selection of high-quality fittings extends to every room. In the bathroom, a basin and toilet by Villeroy Boch are accompanied by Hansgrohe taps. Subtle decorative objects include a Rochester flacon from Danish brand Reflections Copenhagen.
The Warsaw flat brings together many years of art and design history. Iconic works by leading 20th-century designers sit alongside contemporary pieces from Poland and abroad. In this context, the Samsung The Frame television in the living area is a considered choice: designed to display artworks, it shows Walt Kuhn's “Bathers on a beach”. The owner remains open to developments in the contemporary art market and continues to add to his international design collection.
Products used in the project
- Plant pots: Papeda, honey colour
- Armchair: 41 Paimio, designed by Alvar Aalto
- Mirrored coffee table: HAY, Slit Table Oblong
- Rug: Bolia, Earth Rug
- Table: Bolia, Island
- Corner sofa: Wersal, Liquid, olive green
- Ash sideboard: Zuiver, Barbier
- Dining table: Minko, RUNDA
- Chairs: Zig-Zag, designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld
- Dining-area lighting: Louis Poulsen
- Lamp: TAR, Avocado
- Wall light: Seletti, MONKEY
- Mirror: Rondo, Oskar Zięta
- Steel bowls: Iittala, Alvar Aalto Collection
- Candleholder: Fundamental Berlin, drops Candelabra
- Candles: HAY, spiral
- Chair: Zięta Studio, Chippensteel 0.5 Inox
- Desk: Copenhague CPH190, designed by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec
- Basin and toilet: Villeroy Boch
- Taps: Hansgrohe
- Flacon: Reflections Copenhagen, Rochester
- Television: Samsung, The Frame
Designing around a collection calls for a considered balance between display and everyday use. Explore more interior photography by Paweł Biedrzycki of Kąty Proste on his PLNDesign profile and get in touch by email, phone, website or social media, whichever suits you best.
See also:
- Warsaw flat gains a second bathroom and a dressing room
- A Warsaw homeowner swaps minimalism for colour and art
