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The unit in Warsaw, Poland’s Służewiec district hadn’t changed much since the building was constructed three decades ago. Configured in an “M3” layout—common in communist-era apartments—it was compartmentalized into three cramped spaces. In other words, architect and designer Kamil Urbański and his partner were embarking on a full reset: Everything had to be stripped back except for the windows and their original terrazzo windowsills.
Urbański reimagined the space with a modern, open floor plan tailored for two. Within 678 square feet, he carved out six distinct zones: a living room with a kitchenette and island, a primary bedroom with a walk-in closet, a main bathroom, and two separate home offices. Because the apartment has windows on two sides—an uncommon feature in newer developments—natural light and cross-ventilation became central to the design strategy.
The preserved terrazzo-lined windows were the starting point for the subtly retro design scheme, which is anchored by a vintage armchair designed by Zenon Bączyk in the 1960s, a family heirloom. Oak veneer and solid wood establish a warm foundation, punctuated by splashes of olive green inspired by sculptural Italian tiles from Settecento’s Abacus series. To balance the richness of the materials, Urbański added what he calls “silver jewelry:” crisp chrome faucets, handles, and cabinetry. Less sexy but just as crucial: the 40 dimmable light sources, which shift the apartment’s mood from bright workspace to evening retreat with a flick. Below, Urbański talks through the design with us.
Had you worked on a personal project before or was this the first time?
This is my second personal apartment project. The previous one was designed exclusively for me, so both the style and the functional layout were completely different.
Tell us more about the channel-tufted velvet entryway area.
The velvet upholstery in the hallway warms up the apartment from the very entrance, and that’s exactly what I wanted to achieve. It’s made of the same material as the chairs, pillows, and upholstery in the bedroom. Besides its aesthetic function, it serves as a coat rack and a comfortable support for putting on shoes.
What was the biggest design struggle you faced?
The biggest challenge was the structural walls that couldn’t be removed or altered. They dictated the design direction and were the biggest limitation. I adapted the new layout to these walls. A clever solution was to use the doorway left by the previous apartment layout to create a built-in wardrobe in the bathroom.
What’s the story behind the colorful, ceramic light switches?
Colorful switches are one of the main elements that give this apartment a retro feel, and that’s the vibe I wanted to achieve. We had [circular] switches, which were common in Poland in the past, but they only came in black or white. Katy Paty, a Czech company, currently offers a full range of these colorful ceramic switches and sockets, which is precisely why I chose them.
What made you go for curved cabinetry?
The rounded cabinets and other curved elements are typical of the 1960s and 1970s, which also lend themselves to the retro feeling I wanted to achieve.
What was your first big purchase for the home?
Surprisingly, it wasn’t the large TV—although that was a significant purchase, too. It was actually the self-leveling screed to even out the old floor.
What was the biggest design risk?
When working on an older property, it’s always what you might uncover during demolition. In this project, an additional risk was installing the new plumbing and connecting it to the building’s system. Fortunately, everything was executed perfectly.
What was your best splurge?
The furniture—everything was custom-made by a single contractor.
What was your best save?
I modified and adapted most of the lamps for the project myself by replacing the cords or the light sources.
The office packs a lot of function into a small space, how did you approach the design of that space?
The office was to have a large desk for work and a fold-out sofa for guests. I worked out the best layout and selected a sofa of the right size that even left room for a wardrobe and two bookcases.