"10 Questions to an Interior Designer" is a series of short talks inspired by the series "10 Questions to...". This time our attention is turned to interior architects. In today's episode, Medard Grabowski of the Black Locus studio talks about his approach to design .
Medard Grabowski - founder of the Black Locus studio, which he has been running in Krakow since 2018. He designs interiors that have atmosphere, character and are simply pleasant to live in - be they apartments, cafes, bars, delis, beauty salons or offices. He is an architect by training. He graduated with an engineering degree in architecture and urban planning from the Silesian Academy, and earned his master's degree from the Cracow University of Technology. Before opening his own studio, he gained experience for several years in design offices in Katowice and Krakow - working on a variety of projects that allowed him to develop both his workshop and his own approach to design.
1 Home for me is...
Asylum - a place where I can be myself, take a break from the world and live on my own terms. Here everything is mine - the rhythm of the day, the silence, the smells, the colors.
2. my perception of architecture has been most influenced by....
Practice - although I decided on this career path relatively late, I started working in the profession already after the first year of study. It was then, in the daily work on projects, that my approach to architecture - more through action than theory - began to take shape.
3 The inspiration for my latest project, the interior of the Pieron bar, came from....
Amsterdam. I love to travel, and it is from travel that I get most of my inspiration, which I share with my clients. In the case of the Katowice location, the starting point was Amsterdam bar interiors - atmospheric, bold and full of character. I wanted to transfer this looseness and atmosphere to our local ground.
4 In cooperation with an investor the most important thing is....
Taking a common direction, mutual understanding and respect. It is these elements that build trust and make it possible for the project to develop in harmony, without unnecessary tension. Each of us brings something important to the process.
5 My favorite design style is.
A difficult question, because the choice is huge. One thing is certain - I love to combine different aesthetics and offer unconventional solutions in projects, often ahead of current trends. I appreciate dark, industrial interiors for their smoky color palette and austerity, but I am equally keen on colorful patterns inspired by southern Spain. Minimalism is also close to my heart, although I usually break it up with a detail taken from more eclectic spaces - these are the kind of accents I love to design. However, if I had to name one style that is particularly close to me, I would putshabbychic - for its ability to use history, textures and details that give the interiors authenticity and unique character.
6 The most important object in my home is....
The sofa - the center of home life. It's where I relax after a busy day, gather my thoughts, watch movies, read and talk with loved ones. It is the place that naturally gathers the energy of the house - its rhythm, emotions and warmth. For me, a sofa is more than a piece of furniture. It's a refuge where everyday life slows down and takes on a homey flavor.
7 The most common mistake made when decorating interiors yourself is.
Lack of spatial imagination and too much inspiration from ready-made arrangements. Many people try to transfer a picture from the Internet or a catalog to their interior, without considering the scale, function or nature of the space they live in. This leads to disappointment, because something that looks great in a showroom won't necessarily work in a particular apartment. The key is to be able to filter inspiration and adapt it to your own needs and conditions.
8 My favorite material is.
Concrete - brutal, raw, yet extremely malleable. I like its honesty and character. It doesn't pretend to be anything, and yet it can be surprisingly elegant and expressive. I often use concrete in projects, both in its classic form, as well as reaching for various contemporary equivalents, which allow to achieve a similar visual effect with greater lightness or functionality. Concrete gives me the freedom to express raw beauty and fits perfectly with the aesthetics I like to create.
9 What I like most about interior design...
The lack of repetitiveness. Every project is a new challenge, a new idea and an opportunity to discover something fresh. It's a constant learning and development - and for that I love this profession.
10 I would like to live in... someday.
Spain - it's my place on earth. I try to visit different regions of this country often, and every time I discover a new place, I think that this is where I would like to spend the rest of my life. Spain has not only a wonderful culture, but also a climate that inspires and allows you to live peacefully in the rhythm of your dreams. When it's time to retire, I dream of being somewhere where sun and sea will be part of everyday life.
Check out other conversations in the series 10 questions to an interior designer
