This Polish Apartment Is A Midcentury Dream
In order to revitalize a 100-year-old flat in Szczecin, Poland that had lost its charm through past renovations, Ewa Adamiak and the team at Loft Kolasiński opted to adorn the apartment with a mix of vintage and new. "We had to make it interesting once again," designer Adamiak said.
The design firm created a quiet setting outfitted with items that are wholly unique — the apartment is furnished with vintage midcentury items, sourced from Poland, Denmark, and the Czech Republic.
Much of what is not vintage was custom-made by the firm, and this is part of Loft Kolasiński's design philosophy: providing clients with exclusive and unique pieces of furniture, even if it means making it themselves. The completed spaced is a celebration of the apartment's century-old life that still pays homage to the past.
1. Living Room
The living room features a bevy of colorful furnishings, including a geometric vintage rug by Czech designer Antonín Kybal. Another vintage piece, the tan couch, by Brazilian modernist Percival Lafer brings another layer of texture to the busy room. Vintage Czech lamps adorn the floor on both sides of the sofa.
2. Living Room
Karolina Bąk
By working in a vivid color palette, the firm was able to create a space that feels minimal and clean without sacrificing warmth and a lived-in feeling. Vintage ceiling lights from the 1930s are almost as old as the apartment itself.
3. Living Room
Karolina Bąk
Pink vintage chairs designed by Czech architect Jan Bočan were reupholstered. Like the apartment, the firm brought them up to date without sacrificing their historical integrity.
4. Living Room
Karolina Bąk
A custom-designed wood storage chest by Loft Kolasiński is nestled in the corner. Along the living room and dining room walls hang works by famed European photographers, including Swiss photographer Christian Coigny and the Berlin-based duo Billy and Hells.
5. Living Room
Karolina Bąk
In the living room, a vintage yellow rug brings a bright color to an otherwise monochromatic setting. The room also features a sofa by Polish designer Rajmund Halas, and an office chair by Finnish designer Olli Mannermaa. Natural light pours in from custom-made linen curtains which hang over a vintage parquet floor.
6. Dining Room
Karolina Bąk
The dining table was custom-designed and produced by the firm. The table is paired with vintage chairs designed by Niels O. Moller.
7. Dining Room
Karolina Bąk
New vintage-inspired pieces, like the pendant lights by Gubi that hang from the ceiling and a reproduction of an Alvar Aalto tea trolley also adorn the house. Custom-made curtains hang over the full-length windows.
8. Dining Room
Karolina Bąk
"The apartment was an old flat in a tenement house which was already renovated and lost the spirit of old buildings," Adamiak said.
9. Kitchen Nook
Karolina Bąk
An all-white kitchen nook offers a clean and relaxing space. One of Eero Saarinen's famed Tulip Chairs is paired with a custom table, designed and produced by Loft Kolasiński.
10. Bathroom
Karolina Bąk
Loft Kolasiński took an existing bathroom (with a sink and faucet installed by a previous tenant) and made new touches for a more modern feel. By painting the existing shelves white,they created a calming element that transforms the space. The floors were replaced with new oak boards.