Atmospheric Elegance

Concept

An office space requiring adaptation into a residential apartment needed significant modifications. The client wanted to retain the wooden flooring, which was in good condition and made of high-quality wood, but the layout of the rooms, lighting placement, electrical outlets, water connections, and the entire arrangement required a complete overhaul.

Unfortunately, in its office setup, many electrical outlets were positioned on the floor, often in the middle of the room.

Working on the functional layout was quite a puzzle, as it required concealing floor sockets or floor gaps, repositioning walls so that the existing wooden flooring seamlessly connected with additional flooring, and ensuring that the newly created spaces acquired a homely character.

The office, which originally had three workspaces, a conference room, a restroom, a small bathroom, and a kitchenette, was transformed into an apartment featuring a living room, a bedroom connected to a walk-in closet, a study, and a spacious kitchen with a dining area and bar.

Additionally, the new space included a bathroom with a shower cabin, a designated area for a washing machine and dryer, and a large vanity cabinet with a sink.

Once the functional layout was approved, I prepared several sketches for the client to illustrate the intended design direction for each room.

To complement the color of the existing wooden flooring and achieve an elegant character suitable for this centrally located Warsaw apartment, I developed a concept based on dark wood tones, warm wall colors, and bold accents of muted navy blue. These elements were interwoven with delicate touches of brushed copper and gold.

Materials

The client did not request a cost estimate, so after the concept was approved, we moved directly to selecting finishing materials.

At this stage, we selected floor tiles for the kitchen and all the bathroom fittings. In the bathroom, I opted for large-format tiles and used a collection that was available at a promotional price with a quick delivery time.

Guidelines for Contractors

I provided contractors with detailed guidelines covering wall modifications, electrical rewiring, new water and sewage connections, the installation of moldings on walls and ceilings, and the bathroom design.

As always, working with woodwork required testing samples. We focused not only on achieving the perfect veneer color but also on ensuring beautiful and proportionate grooves and rounded slats.

This project was developed between 2018 and 2019, a time when these solutions were not yet widely available on the market. The carpenter I have worked with for years prepared several variations of these finishes, and the final choices were made based on these samples.

Furniture and Lighting

Both the furniture and lighting were designed to have a very classic and timeless character, emphasizing noble materials and a universal color palette.

Summary

What Surprised Me

• While working on this apartment, I was surprised that the contractors suggested crafting custom gypsum moldings instead of using pre-made strips. I had always assumed this approach to be more costly and time-consuming, but in this case, the team completed it efficiently and at the same cost as ready-made products.

Pleasant Surprises

• I was pleasantly surprised by the luxurious and atmospheric bar area I designed in a previously small and non-functional nook. I hadn’t expected this corner to become such a cozy and inviting place to spend time.