Art Nouveau creation in Sopot – art, design, and timeless elegance.

Paulina: What was the greatest inspiration when working on the interiors of the apartment in the tenement house?

Ms. Dorota: The starting point for the entire project were preserved, original elements such as radiators, stucco, and window joinery. All these features were rich in sculptural details, mainly consisting of rounded shapes. The owner dreamed of an apartment referencing classic, bright Parisian interiors. At our studio, we rarely design apartments, but I was charmed by this place from the first visit and couldn’t say no.

Paulina: What was the dialogue with the conservator like – were there elements that had to be preserved or reconstructed?

Ms. Dorota: The building is not under individual conservation protection, but it is located in the strict center of Sopot, which is entirely covered by conservation care. This means that projects such as window joinery or balcony railings must be reproduced the originals and each design must be submitted to the conservator. The building’s interior is not restricted. The window joinery was replaced in accordance with the guidelines, and the rest of the project was our own creative interpretation.

Paulina: How did you choose contemporary elements (furniture, lighting) to harmoniously fit with the Art Nouveau narrative?

Ms. Dorota: In projects like this, we try not to imitate historical fabric but create an interior inspired by its character. We blend styles: adding classical elements and skillfully combining them with very modern forms. We used classic furniture like consoles, vanities, or a desk in the office and paired them with minimalist lighting or modern sculptural coffee tables in the living room. The entire concept is complemented by the main bathroom featuring classic tile mosaic flooring, ottocento plaster on the walls, and a modern bathtub and lighting. The composition is completed by the RETRO radiator by Terma, which perfectly fits the classical interior. Additionally, the design includes modern takes on classic elements, like the iconic Flos chandelier in the bedroom.

The interior is eclectic, creating an interesting fusion of styles both in finishes and in art.

Parisian vibe in the heart of the city

Photo. Tom Kurek / Cast iron radiator renovated by Terma

Photo. Tom Kurek / Stylish bedroom arrangement with natural light

Photo. Tom Kurek / A unique bathroom with our radiator Retro

Paulina: Which elements of the project were custom-designed (furniture, artwork) and what role do they play in the perception of the interior? What role did the cast iron radiators play?

Ms. Dorota: Most of the furniture in the apartment was custom-designed, as it’s hard to find pieces in this style on the market. The kitchen, consoles, desk, bathroom furniture, and even the mirrors were all designed by us. We also collaborated in selecting the artworks. From the beginning, both we and the owner wanted to keep the radiators as original elements and as examples of the wonderful craftsmanship of the past. That’s why we decided to fully renovate them with Terma, so they would become a highlight of the space.

Paulina: Why was "Gdynia modernism" chosen as an element of the design and what did it contribute?

Ms. Dorota: Arched elements are characteristic of Gdynia modernism, but we can also admire them in many Sopot townhouses. In this project, the motif of soft lines in architecture and furniture runs through many rooms. We can see it in the kitchen, dining room, living room, and bedroom. This motif tied the whole project together.

Paulina: What were the biggest challenges in reconciling modern needs of the residents with the historic character of the building?

Ms. Dorota: The design challenge was the existing layout and load-bearing walls. We had to adapt the old layout to new functions, which required knocking through load-bearing walls and thus a building permit.
It was a very demanding renovation involving complete replacement of installations, heating system, etc. It succeeded thanks to the perseverance of the investors and the renovation team. Renovations in townhouses are extremely difficult – they can’t be compared to those in new developments. It was a challenging but important project because there are few places like this. High ceilings, two balconies, greenery outside the window, right in the center of the wonderful city of Sopot.

Interview with Dorota Terlecka – founder of the design studio Biurokreacja

Photos: Tom Kurek
Design: Biurokreacja – Dorota Terlecka, Paula Banasik
Styling: Anna Salak
Art: Glass sculptures, living room and hallway – Aleksandra Kujawska
Living room painting: Aleksandra Szewczuk
Dining room painting: Maciek Salomon
Office graphic: Aleksandra Prusinowska
Hall bas-relief: Anna Grabowska
Ceramics: Magdalena Szmydke, Monika Gradzik, Ziemowit Liszek, Nomad, Aleksandra Prusinowska