Minimalist Japandi-style Apartment, Bangkok 47sqm/506sqft
Standing at the threshold of my 33-square-meter apartment in Warsaw’s Starabielana neighborhood, I am struck by how a small space can contain such a vast dream. This neighborhood, a human-friendly post-war housing estate from the 1960s, feels like the perfect setting for my story as the second owner of this home. By day, I am a civil engineer, but my soul finds its rhythm through the tactile, grounded world of ceramics and porcelain. My home, much like my art, is a delicate balance between structure and emotion.
The creative process for this space began with a simple but profound concept: I wanted a bright, bold, and colorful interior where greenery would greet me the moment I walked through the door. Working with my sister Carlina, who is an architect, we reimagined the original 1960s layout. We tore down the walls of the dark hallway and narrow kitchen to let the light breathe. For me, the floor is the foundation of memory; we kept the oak herringbone parquet, a pattern popular when the building was first erected, to maintain a connection to its history.
My creative identity is woven into every corner. Because I love to cook, a full-sized kitchen was a non-negotiable requirement. We chose oak veneer for the bottom cabinets and a soft pink—my favorite color—for the top, all tied together by a maroon worktop. Across from where I prepare meals, my collection of handmade ceramics sits on a singular string shelf, a quiet testament to my hobby and a requirement I held dear from the start.
One of my most cherished inspirations was the work of Alexander Calder. I spent hours preparing sketches of a dream structure—an open-work screen that separates the entrance from the living area without blocking the view. It feels like a living sculpture, light and susceptible, much like the mobiles that inspired it.
I believe deeply that there is no Planet B, which guided my choice to use second-hand and vintage furniture. There is a specific kind of joy in restoration; for example, we took Bruno Ray chairs from the 70s that were in poor condition and stained them green to echo the tiny green dots in our terrazzo flooring. This sensitivity to color and material extends even to the bedroom, where a soft pink bed with a fancy headboard offers a sanctuary for rest.
Every design choice, from the curved vanity in the compact bathroom to the custom oak closets that hide the washing machine, was made to maximize efficiency while leaving room for beauty. My home is more than a 355-square-foot apartment; it is a meticulously organized “mood board” of my life, where vintage elements and modern needs coexist in harmony.