A bold color palette, unobvious stylistic combinations and decorative details - all this adds up to a unique interior designed by Ursula Sworczuk of the MUTUO studio. The project delighted the jury of the SAW 2025 Interior of the Year competition, where it won a special prize funded by the Nobonobo brand.
In the living room, the architect put together a yellow sofa and a red chaise longue
Photo by Marcin Grabowiecki
An attic collage with a wink.
When color meets form, and classic meets modern, the result is a space that not only pleases the eye, but also inspires to live life to the fullest. Such is the design of a Warsaw interior by Urszula Sworczuk. This apartment delights with unobvious juxtapositions, bold design decisions and a deep understanding of the needs of modern users. The interior realized by MUTUO Design Studio is proof that elegance can go hand in hand with joy, and functionality does not have to mean boredom. The project is based on contrast - both in color and style. The inspiration for the interior design turned out to be much more complex than the initial assumptions. Although the original plan was to refer to the architecture of the apartment building itself, the real creative impetus turned out to be the apartment's owners - colorful, cosmopolitan personalities who, with their openness, detachment and energy, inspired the architect to create a space full of humor, perversity and visual surprises. It was their character and emotional connection to the selected objects - such as an artdec table, a bedroom set inherited from relatives or a desk made of chevron - that became the foundation of the space's composition. The result is a design that can be described as "eclecticism in a semi-serious way" - full of play with form, unobvious stylistic juxtapositions and somewhat theatrical quotations, but at the same time deeply rooted in historical and personal context. The interior does not faithfully reproduce the spirit of bygone eras, but rather interprets them through the lens of contemporary needs, the identity of the residents and their unique sense of aesthetics. In the bright space, with dominant whites and pastels, there are intense color accents: a sofa in a sunny shade of yellow, a deep red chaise longue, or distinctive blue accessories. They set the tone for the entire interior, making each zone have its own unique atmosphere.
Decorative retro accessories add variety to the arrangement
Photo by Marcin Grabowiecki
Two faces of one interior
This 150-square-meter apartment is located in a revitalized tenement in the center of Warsaw. The functional layout of the apartment, located on the top floor, underwent a significant metamorphosis already at the design stage, as the owners purchased the premises in a developer state, without defined spatial divisions. Their expectations were clear - they wanted to separate the kitchen and laundry room, design the master bedroom with an adjoining dressing room and a separate bathroom, as well as create a guest room and a comfortable study. The architect faced the challenge of rearranging the space so that these needs were met, while still managing to keep the entire interior flowing and functional. One of the key problems was that the circulation space was too large. In the original layout, corridors and passageways were unnecessarily taking up valuable meters. So the designer decided to partially "absorb" them into other rooms, which made it possible to use the available space more efficiently and adapt the space to the owners' individual lifestyles. As a result, the layout of the apartment became more ergonomic, organized and coherent, while at the same time fully corresponding to the rhythm of the residents' daily life.
The architect carried out a metamorphosis of the functional layout
Photo: Marcin Grabowiecki
Currently, the space is divided into two main zones, which differ not only in purpose, but also in architectural character. The living area, which serves as a living room, is located in the converted attic. Thanks to the slants and unusual geometry of the space, it gains a unique atmosphere. On the other hand, the private zone - a bedroom and a study - is located in a part with classic, stone-like proportions, with windows overlooking a quiet, enclosed courtyard. The functional layout of the apartment is complemented by a terrace, located above the living area and accessible via an internal staircase. It is an ideal extension of the functional space and a place for relaxation in the city center.
The architect reached for forms referring to different eras
Photo by Marcin Grabowiecki
Stylish references to history and art
One of the greatest strengths of this project is its layering - both aesthetically and symbolically. Sworczuk reaches for forms that allude to different eras, but interprets them with a modern lightness. The bathroom features tiles with a decorative floral motif, reminiscent of ornaments from the early 20th century. Geometric flooring and a retro mirror with an irregular shape refer to the art déco style, but in a simplified, minimalist version. The whole is complemented by contemporary fixtures in black matte and thrifty accessories. The architect is also not afraid to play with color. On the contrary, she consciously uses its potential. The living room is dominated by an energetic composition of colors, which juxtaposes a yellow modular sofa of unusual shape with a red chaise longue and a two-color coffee table. A wall with an abstract painting completes the whole, creating the effect of a gallery of applied art. Green plants, meanwhile, add a natural touch. In the dining room, on the other hand, the main role is played by an elegant, massive table, which balances the playful forms of chairs in different colors and shapes. The whole is crowned by a spectacular chandelier, which is like the cherry on the cake - classic in form, but with a touch of extravagance.
One of the recurring decorative motifs are flowers
Photo by Marcin Grabowiecki
Recycling of emotions and form
Sustainable design is also one of the cornerstones of this realization. The interior by Ursula Sworczuk is based not only on aesthetics and functionality, but also on a deep respect for history, craftsmanship and objects with soul. One of the first design guidelines was to include in the arrangement objects that were valuable to the investors, which carried primarily emotional value. As a result, family heirlooms and antiques became the starting point for creating entire spaces. Some of them required specialized conservation care. So they were placed in the hands of experienced restorers. These sentimental elements were complemented by more second-hand furniture, lamps, armchairs, mirrors, graphics and accessories, which were carefully searched for and then restored.
The interior is full of antiques and family heirlooms
Photo by Marcin Grabowiecki
Another manifestation of the sustainable approach in this project was also the involvement of local artists and masters of rare crafts, who played an important role in the creation of many unique interior elements. Among them were stained-glass artists, who made glazed interior doors according to an individual design - with references to Art Nouveau details, but in a modern form. An unusually striking and at the same time symbolic object is also a pink tiled stove with a corner design, created by a ceramic artist and a stove maker. The project also features an interior door created by a local carpenter, who specializes in crafting wooden elements with historical details and proportions. The guest room has been given a unique character thanks to stucco and wall paintings and gilded oculus, which were created by a fine artist. The handiwork and authorial style of these details give the interior a sophisticated aura and emphasize its individuality. Also, the ceramics used in various parts of the apartment were selected and made with uniqueness in mind and reference to traditional techniques. Of particular interest are the beautiful tiles with a lily motif from Golem Baukeramik. Tiles characteristic of historic staircases in townhouses have gained new life here as a decorative accent. The kitchen walls and floors, on the other hand, were decorated with cement tiles custom-made and custom-designed in Morocco. Such a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to sustainable design has resulted in a space that pays homage to the past - both familial and cultural - on the one hand, and allows for modern, comfortable living on the other.
The gilded oculus and glass doors were made by local artisans
Photo by Marcin Grabowiecki
The Warsaw apartment is proof that an authorial approach to interior design, full of courage and individualism, has great value. Urszula Sworczuk' s project shows that a living space can be both functional and full of artistic expression. This interior does not impose itself, but leaves a strong impression - like good art that moves and stays in the memory.
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Compiled by:KATARZYNA SZOSTAK
