HOLIDAY HOUSE IN MASURIA

This project tells the story of a place that has gained a new life while preserving traces of its past. In the landscape of the Masurian fields and lakes, we discovered an old brick building with a clear structure and simple rhythm, which became the foundation for designing a 500 m² house intended for rest, gatherings, and shared time together. Designing a house in such a context required particular sensitivity to the history of the place and a conscious dialogue between the existing structure and a contemporary approach to architecture and residential interior design.

The project was based on a careful adaptation of the existing space. We reworked the functional layout, opening up the interiors and giving them a new spatial logic, while maintaining respect for what was already there. Elements that carried their own history were preserved, fragments of ceilings, old brick walls, stone window sills, barrel vaults, and raw plaster surfaces. In many areas we also revealed the wooden roof substructure, allowing the heavy beams to become one of the most important compositional elements of the interior.

Throughout the design process it was important for us to highlight the relationship between the historical structure and the contemporary way the space is used. Interior design in such a setting requires balance, ensuring that new interventions do not overpower the character of the existing architecture. In projects like this, the role of the interior architect and designer is to guide a subtle dialogue between the building’s past and the needs of modern users. This becomes particularly important in projects such as a holiday home or a rental property, where the space must be functional, durable, and welcoming for many different guests.

The new spatial organization is centered around a large communal living area, the heart of the house. It is a place designed for long conversations, shared meals, and an unhurried rhythm of the day. Its focal point is a soft, sunken lounge with a built-in sofa, slightly recessed into the wooden floor. This architectural gesture created a natural gathering place, opening views toward the outdoor pool and garden. The sense of coziness is not accidental; it is the result of thoughtful residential interior design and a carefully composed interior arrangement.

Wood plays an important role throughout the interior. Natural wooden flooring runs through all of the main spaces, giving them cohesion and warmth. Wood also appears in the roof structure, built-in furniture, custom elements, and finishing details. Combined with soft textiles, natural materials, and a muted color palette, it creates an atmosphere of comfort and calm, especially important in a home designed for rest and retreat.

The large open kitchen flows seamlessly into the dining area, where a long table gathers all guests together. It is a space that comfortably accommodates larger gatherings while still maintaining a domestic, intimate character. The entrance to the house leads through a zone with a bookcase, a subtle signal to visitors that this is a place meant for slowing down and staying a little longer.

An important element of the project is the mezzanine level. It was introduced as a new spatial layer that allows the interior to be experienced from a different perspective while making full use of the building’s height. This is where the cinema room is located, a more intimate space, slightly separated from the life unfolding below.

The private zone consists of several bedrooms and bathrooms, each with its own slightly different character. Our intention was to create interiors that feel calm and understated, spaces that naturally support rest and relaxation. Muted materials, natural light, soft textiles, and cozy furnishings build an atmosphere of quiet comfort. In some areas, fragments of the original wall structures were left exposed, allowing new elements to enter into dialogue with the history of the building.

Particular attention should be given to the master bathroom, designed as a spacious bathing room open to the garden. The bathtub and shower are positioned next to a large window, allowing direct contact with greenery and natural light, so that everyday rituals become part of the peaceful Masurian landscape. In this space, materials play a special role, natural stone meets old walls, preserved plaster fragments, and subtle decorations inspired by historical interior finishing techniques. Delicate patterns on the walls reference the traditional method of creating wallpaper by manually stamping motifs directly onto plaster, giving the room a unique character.

Materials play a key role throughout the entire project. Wood, stone, mineral plasters, and natural fabrics create a coherent and warm palette. The intention was not to reconstruct the past literally, but rather to gently recall it, allowing the new interiors to feel contemporary while remaining deeply rooted in the context of the place.

The result is a large house designed for rest and rental – a space open to people, yet filled with places where one can retreat and slow down. Each room holds a fragment of the building’s history, while the whole creates an atmosphere of calm Masurian everyday life.

This project allowed us, as interior architects, to connect the history of the place with a contemporary approach to residential architecture and interior design, creating a space that encourages shared time, relaxation, and a mindful experience of architecture and the surrounding nature.