On the top floor of a tenement building on Kielecka Street in Warsaw, an apartment has been created that, from the moment you step inside, promises to be more than just a well-designed interior. Studio Zemła, in collaboration with architect Olga Guz, designed a space for a family of four, combining two units into a cohesive, light-filled home with character. There’s no conservative white, no random accessories, and no cold perfection here. Instead, there’s color, art, lots of wood, soft fabrics, and the atmosphere of a home where life truly happens. Each room has its own mood, but together they form a whole that is bold, family-oriented, and very personal.
A deep shade of navy blue, artwork, and a soft seat make the entryway not just a passageway, but a full-fledged part of the home — © Nate Cook Photography
First impression? Dark navy blue instead of safe white
The design begins unconventionally—with a dark entryway. It’s a space without natural light, so rather than fighting its character, the architects deliberately emphasized it. Deep navy blue, warm lighting, and custom-built cabinetry create the atmosphere of an elegant entrance, somewhat like a preview of what lies ahead. This makes the transition to the living room even more striking. After the darker introduction, a bright, high-ceilinged space opens up, featuring large windows, stucco, and oak flooring. The apartment immediately reveals its most important principle: contrasts are necessary here, but they’re never random.
The dark entryway leads to a bright living area, where light, art, and color create a more relaxed atmosphere
© Nate Cook Photography
A living room without a TV, but with space for life
The living room was not designed to be the hub of home electronics. Instead of a TV, there are books, paintings, and furniture that don’t look like they were all bought in a single afternoon from the same collection. This interior is more suited for conversation, reading, and spending time together than for watching from a distance. Light plays the biggest role here. It streams in through the tall windows, highlighting the details of the townhouse and ensuring that even bolder colors don’t feel overwhelming. The living room is elegant but not stuffy. It has the feel of a city apartment, yet remains homey and relaxed.
In the living area, color is used boldly but with finesse—yellow, plum, and wood create a warm, homey composition—© Nate Cook Photography
Color That’s More Than Just Decoration
In the apartment on Kielecka Street, color is used boldly but with finesse. The navy blue entryway introduces a calmer tension, the mustard-colored kitchen adds energy, and the children’s room plays with red, lime green, and natural wood. These aren’t colors used merely to liven up the interior. They define its character. They help distinguish different zones, shift the mood, and ensure the apartment isn’t anonymous. You can see here decisions made with specific residents in mind, rather than a generic look from a catalog.
Red appears here not only as a bold accent but also as a way to warm up and enliven the room — © Nate Cook Photography
A children’s room without being childish
One of the most memorable rooms is the children’s room. It’s cheerful, but not overly sweet. Colorful, but not chaotic. A large wooden built-in unit with a red bookshelf provides a strong backdrop for books, toys, and trinkets that will change over time along with the children. This interior shows that a space for the youngest members of the family doesn’t have to be temporary or treated any less seriously than the rest of the home. It can be comfortable, fun, and well-designed, while still fitting in with the rest of the apartment.
The mustard-colored kitchen is one of the boldest accents in the entire apartment. The color makes a bold statement here, but it doesn’t detract from the interior’s lightness — © Nate Cook Photography
an eye-catching kitchen
The kitchen is one of the boldest spaces in the apartment in terms of color. The mustard-colored cabinet fronts lend it warmth and make it instantly memorable. However, this isn’t just style for style’s sake. It’s still a practical family space, with room for a quick breakfast, conversation at the table, and everyday hustle and bustle. That’s exactly why the kitchen works so well. It’s bold, but not contrived. There’s something cheerful and relaxed about it, yet it remains refined in its proportions and details. It’s a room that doesn’t pretend to be a neutral utility space—it becomes a full-fledged part of the household’s life.
In the bedroom, the atmosphere of rest is paramount. Layers of fabric and warm light make the interior feel more intimate—© Nate Cook Photography
The private part of the apartment slows down the pace
Beyond the living area lies the quieter side of the home. The master bedroom has a lower ceiling, smaller windows, and a view of greenery, which naturally changes its atmosphere. After the bolder colors, there’s more softness, texture, and tranquility. It’s warm and cozy, but not cliché. Here, the overall experience takes precedence over individual furnishings: soft fabrics, wood, nature-inspired patterns, and light that creates a more intimate mood. This part of the apartment was designed not for show, but for relaxation. The walk-in closet and bathroom function similarly. They don’t compete with the more striking rooms but rather complete the story of the home—one that’s calmer, more practical, and more private.
The kitchen also features a small breakfast nook. It’s a place for a quick morning meal, a chat over coffee, and daily family rituals — © Nate Cook Photography
A Tenement Building with New Energy
The greatest strength of this project is its balance. Studio Zemła and Olga Guz did not attempt to erase the townhouse’s history. The preserved stucco, woodwork, tall windows, and oak parquet floors are an important part of the interior. Against this backdrop, a contemporary layer has emerged: full of color, art, and solutions tailored to family life. The apartment on Kielecka Street doesn’t look like a perfect set design where every object must be in its place. It’s striking, but not intimidating. It features bold colors, yet still feels airy. It’s meticulously crafted, yet retains its natural feel. And that’s precisely where its charm lies. It’s a home that doesn’t try to be for everyone. It clearly belongs to someone—it’s personal, bold, and full of everyday stories.
