How can you make a small rental apartment stand out from many similar listings? Małgorzata Górska from the MGN design studio opened up the layout, paired cobalt blue with ruby burgundy, and placed a freestanding bathtub in the room. This is how the Ruby & Blue Apartment came to be—a functional interior designed not only for a comfortable stay but also to leave a lasting impression after guests depart.
The apartment’s color scheme is echoed in the bathroom through burgundy tiles and a blue cabinet under the sink — ©Marcin Grabowiecki
an apartment that was never meant to be neutral
The Ruby & Blue Apartment was created in Warsaw on commission from SuperApart, a company specializing in short-term rentals. Designed for one or two people, the interior had to provide everything needed for a stay of several days while also standing out among many similar offerings. The designer therefore avoided the safe palette of beiges and grays. Instead of universality—understood as visual neutrality—she chose a distinctive character. This approach is already hinted at by the project’s name. Cobalt blue meets ruby burgundy here, creating a bold yet cohesive composition. The colors run throughout the entire interior: they appear on the walls, furniture fronts, tiles, and in less obvious places that can only be noticed when using the apartment.
The bed has been integrated into the open space, and the ruby-red headboard and cobalt-blue textiles echo the project’s main colors — ©Marcin Grabowiecki
An open space instead of a small bedroom
The original layout called for a small, separate bedroom. However, Małgorzata Górska decided to remove the wall dividing the apartment and combine the functions into a single, open space. As a result, the interior is better lit and does not feel divided into several cramped rooms. The new layout also aligns with how the apartment is used for short stays. The individual zones remain distinct but aren’t confined to separate rooms. The kitchenette, sleeping area, vanity, and living area form a cohesive whole that can be taken in at a glance almost from the entrance. A built-in unit that combines the functions of an entryway and a closet accessible from the bedroom helps organize the small space. This single element thus serves two parts of the apartment and allows the space to be utilized without introducing additional partitions. In the kitchen, the utility area with the washing machine is concealed, ensuring that appliances needed during a longer stay do not disrupt the interior’s composition.
A freestanding bathtub stands in the room against a backdrop of floral wallpaper, and a mirror visually enlarges the space — ©Marcin Grabowiecki
a bathtub that sets the mood
The most surprising element of the apartment is the freestanding bathtub placed directly in the room. This is not, however, due to a lack of space in the bathroom—it features a full-size shower. The bathtub was conceived as an additional attraction designed to transform an ordinary stay into a more exceptional experience. It is also the focal point of a carefully composed interior design. The wall behind the bathtub is covered with large-format wallpaper featuring a botanical motif, and the round mirror hanging above it reflects light and other parts of the interior. A second mirror, placed next to the vanity, enhances this effect. The bathtub thus serves a dual purpose. It can be used, but its impact on the space is equally important. It becomes an eye-catching element that makes this apartment truly one-of-a-kind.
Cobalt-blue chairs and a lamp enliven the bright living area, and the intense blue also appears inside the drawers — ©Marcin Grabowiecki
Cobalt and burgundy revealed gradually
The character of the Ruby & Blue Apartment is not defined by a single bold accent, but by the consistency with which color is used throughout the design. Deep blue is paired with ruby burgundy and a black-and-white geometric floor. The bold surfaces balance each other out, ensuring that the small space doesn’t feel chaotic. The color doesn’t stop at what’s immediately visible. Intense shades also appear inside the cabinets. Only when the cabinets are opened do the blue and burgundy interiors reveal themselves. As a result, the color concept encompasses not only the most visible surfaces but also details discovered only when using the space. The color palette extends into the bathroom as well. Burgundy tiles define the area of the large shower, and the blue cabinet beneath the wide sink echoes the cabinetry in the rest of the apartment. Spacious storage compartments allow you to hide cosmetics and everyday items, maintaining visual order.
The kitchenette stands out thanks to a cobalt-blue wall that extends to the ceiling and burgundy tiles above the countertop — ©Marcin Grabowiecki
A compact space without the usual compromises
Within 37 m², the designers successfully combined an open living area, a kitchenette, a sleeping area, storage space, a bathroom with a large shower, and an additional bathtub in the bedroom. The apartment also features a 32 m² terrace, nearly as large as the interior itself. The MGN design demonstrates that an investment apartment doesn’t have to be an anonymous space designed for a hypothetical “everyone.” Here, functionality has not been pitted against striking aesthetics. On the contrary—the open layout, multifunctional built-in furniture, and well-concealed utility areas have created a foundation for bold design choices that catch the eye without hindering everyday use.
