A beautiful home has all the more character if it is situated in a picturesque neighbourhood. This elaborately stylish 800-square-foot apartment in Oliwa, a historic suburb of Gdańsk in Poland, certainly embodies the spirit of its surrounding landscape. Remodelled in striking combinations of dark teal green, grey stone and warm wood by design firm Raca Architekci, it involved a year of planning and renovation. Michal Raca, the main designer and founder of the firm, worked closely with his client to materialize her vision of a nature-inspired home.
A sense of grandeur is immediate as you enter the flat. The absence of an entrance hall increases the interior space and imparts volume, imbuing comfort from the moment you step through the door. A tall elliptical mirror framed in gold brass is strategically placed so you can check your appearance before leaving or entering, while a black veneer bench with an upholstered seat is a convenient spot for slipping shoes on or off. To provide maximum storage in such a small space, the designer has incorporated cupboards that blend with the walls, this minimalist approach gives a clean feel.
A polished terrazzo floor serves as a prelude to the wooden flooring within. A brass wall lamp is placed as a stylish ornament, its adjustable lighting setting the mood of the space. The rich teal hues of the feature walls act as a sophisticated backdrop for contemporary furniture. The designer has deliberately used mirrors of different shapes and sizes to make the apartment look more spacious. Large black and gold pots with large plants can be found in different corners of the house, flaunting the green thumb of the owner and her love for nature.
The open kitchen is the heart of the apartment, linking the living and dining areas. Not the keenest of cooks, the homeowner initially envisaged a small, compact kitchen, but one of the layouts proposed by studio founder Michal Raca offered a larger layout with a kitchen island. Selecting this option has proved a joy; it has become her favorite space, allowing her to host friends and discover delightful new recipes.
The island has a bold countertop of bardiglio marble from Spain, which is paired with other expanses of grey to emphasize the beauty of the stone. Its complementary brass accessories look like jewels adjoining the teal green dining area. A round gold-rimmed mirror serves as a backdrop to the dining table balancing the dark tones of teal allowing more natural light to be reflected from the walls. Two beautiful round pendant lights hang above the kitchen island while a similar horizontal pendant light illuminates the dining space.
The upholstery is set to be the same shade as the walls, whether for curtains, the bed’s velvet headboard or the fabric of armchairs. A wall of windows spanning the living and dining areas offers panoramic views of the Baltic port city’s old town, where rows of red roofs reach out to the horizon. The apertures allow abundant light to fill the whole space and are embellished with heavy velour dark green curtains in a décor reminiscent of an opera house. The velour finish of the walls reduces dazzling reflections as the sunlight streams in.
A cosy space for unwinding, the master bedroom is dressed in two contrasting materials, plush velour panels above the veneer. Behind the bed, an upholstered headrest built into the lower part of the wall adds optimum comfort. The different textured panels are separated by a strip of bardiglio marble underlined in black, echoing the theme of the living quarters. The eye-catching originality of this design is enhanced by beautiful golden lamps that provide subtle contrast.
Following Raca’s extensive renovations, the bedroom and en-suite bathroom have become one coherent space, framed by large sloping windows at one end. The master suite’s aesthetic value has been further elevated by the addition of a glass wall partition for easy access between the two areas. It is a functional solution that not only allows natural light to flow into the bathroom – unusual in apartment blocks these days – but also gives the appearance of a more spacious bedroom. For the sake of privacy, a curtain can be drawn across the divide and bestows the ambience of a luxury spa.
The most unique feature of this home is the music room, something interior designers rarely have the chance to include in a modern floor plan. It is a handsome yet practical use of space, and the dream of every music lover. The owner’s mastery of a variety of instruments is neatly catered for.
A piano is integrated into a cupboard and shelfing unit that houses her collection of books and CDs, while a saxophone sits on a stand beside the slanted windows, serving as an art piece when not in use. A specially designed console table holds all the equipment required for music appreciation, from stereo to speakers and a turntable. There are city views for inspiration, with the historic charms of Gdańsk sure to instil harmony into new compositions.