In the splayed corner of a nineteenth-century Warsaw tenement designed by Franciszek Brauman, which belonged for a time to Prince Stanislaw Lubomirski and then to Zofia Czartoryska, on the corner of Nowogrodzka and Krucza streets, an atmospheric place has been created - before you (mysterious) Barbara!
the premises is located on the corner of Nowogrodzka and Krucza streets in Warsaw, Magdalena Ponagajbo and Jakub "Pionty" Jezierski are responsible for the identification and visual communication
photo: Adam Grzesik © 89°
Barbara is another fruit of cooperation between Agata Zięba, Kasia Majewska and Beniamin Bielecki, owners of the popular Bibenda, located next door. However, the concept is different - the new establishment changes with the time of day: from the morning it functions as a cafe, after sunset it turns into an atmospheric bar. The combination of both of these appearances was handled by architects from the 89° studio. The result? Elegant interior, but without being pompous, evoking the climate of old Warsaw, but fitting in with modern trends. A balanced mix of textures and forms in a rather narrow color palette, which allows you to change the space according to your needs.
interior of the premises
photo: Adam Grzesik © 89°
The corner, southeastern exposure of the premises created ideal conditions for wandering light, which changes Barbara's atmosphere depending on the time of day
- explain the architects.
Building the mood of the interior is supported by fleshy brick-colored curtains hung at the entrance and in the depths of the premises - only when you swing them back do you discover what they hide from you. This designed mystery fits in with the concept of a speakeasy night bar, an illegal establishment where alcoholic beverages are served in secret.
The interior of the establishment is hidden by fleshy curtains
photo: Adam Grzesik © 89°
Shortly after crossing the threshold, we discover a circular bar with a stone top. Its location is highlighted by a suspended metal structure decorated with a muslin curtain. Strong visual accents are also created by a wall of fused glass, which houses a wooden portal leading to the hidden restaurant, and a glass mosaic covering one of the walls by Magdalena Łapińska-Rozenbaum, creator of, among other things, the mosaic in ZODIAK and the mural in the Warsaw boutique B Sides Handmade.
The artist's work depicts a silhouette of Barbara - joyful, exuding freshness and nostalgia - exactly like her home
- the designers add.
A glass mosaic by Magdalena Lapinska-Rozenbaum depicts the silhouette of Barbara
Photo: Adam Grzesik © 89°
Many of the elements used in the interior have been given a second life here. Against the background of light-colored plaster and a floor made of recycled marble chunks, attention is drawn to stone tables, second-hand wooden chairs, hockers found in an online second-hand store or lodges upholstered with brick-red fabric.
The base of the interior is formed by walls covered with light plaster and a floor made of recycled marble pieces
photo: Adam Grzesik © 89°
Barbara's walls and ceiling are adorned with subtle, jewel-like lighting, including vintage sconces scrounged on the internet, which we gave a second life to. The restaurant's windows are covered with translucent curtains. The delicate fabric, from which they were sewn, warms up the raw, almost industrial plaster, giving the whole interior lightness and referring to Italian trattorias
- conclude the authors of the project.
The restaurant's windows are obscured by translucent curtains
Photo: Adam Grzesik © 89°
