Black and white duplex apartment in Karlín

When an architect or designer conceives an apartment for themselves, we usually sense that we can really look forward to the result. That due to zero compromises, which typically arise from the dialogue between the designer and the investor, the outcome will be worthy of it! And the duplex apartment in Karlín, designed and created by interior designer Ivanka Kowalski for herself, is exactly one of those cases. The result is indeed worth seeing.

Fortunately, Ivanka Kowalski managed to purchase the apartment in a new building within a development project at a very early stage, which means practically still on paper. This allowed her to be involved right from the beginning of the construction and thus she had the opportunity to incorporate a whole range of client changes into her future home. Besides minor changes to the layout, which were already well-addressed in the design, Ivanka proposed entirely different bathrooms, floors, and switches for the apartment. Only the windows and doors from the original standard offering practically remained in the apartment.

"When designing my apartment in Karlín, I took into account, apart from my personal preferences, the location itself. I wanted to create an atmosphere in the apartment with respect to the history and the originally industrial spirit of this district, so the result deliberately feels slightly industrial. For example, the living room has a raised ceiling over half of its area, which makes it look somewhat like a loft," the designer explains her original intention. "I designed the apartment for myself, so I could also afford to experiment a little and choose bold, unconventional solutions. In the end, I'll be accountable only to myself," Ivanka Kowalski clarifies with a laugh. Nevertheless, the author was determined to design her living space primarily in a timeless spirit. Not to be overly influenced by the most current trends, but to constantly ask herself whether she would still like this or that element in another 10 years. "I chose the foundation of the interior to be somewhat abstract, in black and white colors and minimalist shapes, meaning something that won't get outdated. I can complement the apartment or change its expression with accessories, decorations, artistic artifacts, or by introducing colors," adds Ivanka Kowalski.

The heart of the apartment is the generous living room, dominated by an atypically designed staircase made from subtle black lacquered sheet metal, under which lies a snow-white sofa complemented by the iconic UP 50 armchair from B&B Italia. An elegant minimalist kitchen Xila from the Italian manufacturer Boffi unmissably reigns in the living area. It is finished in black matte lacquer, has a ceramic worktop, and is equipped with Gaggenau appliances. On the same floor as the living room, there is also a bedroom with a dressing room and a very originally conceived glass bathroom. Both bathrooms, on the lower and upper floors, are finished in the same style – a combination of Carrara marble, white plaster, and poured white flooring.

In creating the interior, Ivanka Kowalski didn't hesitate to enlist the help of other colleagues: the final appearance of the apartment is co-signed by designer Ondřej Rusňák from Konsepti and Katrin Grund, the owner and founder of the design store MONOBRAND. They furnished the interior with high-quality furniture elements, imaginative lighting, and a whole range of design pieces that together create a harmonious and fresh whole. Attention was paid to every detail. "The small elements, which ultimately significantly contribute to the overall character of the interior, I selected in the concept store MONOBRAND. I have known Katrin Grund practically since she founded MONOBRAND. In 2016, we first collaborated on furnishing a model apartment as part of the SQUAT ID project in Pařížská, and since then, our professional paths have crossed several times. The range that Katrin selects and brings to the Czech Republic suits me," recalls Ivanka Kowalski. "For this apartment, we selected, for example, the DROP BULB pendant light that dominates the space above the dining table, the door fittings from the London brand Buster + Punch, or the custom-made Hager Manufaktura switches. The switches are based on the popular round rotary Berker switches, which Ivanka has used several times in her implementations, but this time they have a custom velvety soft SoftTouch finish," explains Katrin Grund, and Ivanka Kowalski continues: "I like the round rotary Berker series 1930 and Berker R.classic; I enjoy working with both their bakelite and porcelain variants depending on the context. However, neither of these classic versions quite fit into this interior. In the end, I decided to soften the plastic material with a special surface finish, and due to the industrial feel of the apartment, I replaced the rotary version with a toggle switch." The custom production program Hager Manufaktura meets the demands of architects and customers for specific modifications of switches and sockets. On request, it is possible to equip the switches, for example, with engraved pictograms that facilitate the operation of lights or blinds, as well as mix any RAL color shade for switches and sockets or finish them with any surface treatment. "Recently, we have noticed an increased number of requests for modifications to our switches from architects and designers – and we are pleased that we can adapt our switches to their creative ideas. The trend is matte velvety SoftTouch finishes. This look suits our round series very well; it gives the switches a sort of uniqueness," concludes Thomas Grund, CEO of Hager in the Czech Republic.

Whether a designer works for a client or designs a home for themselves, the goal is always the same: for the person who will ultimately live in the apartment to feel good and resonate with its atmosphere. The symphony conducted by Ivanka Kowalski in Karlín creates a wonderful harmonious balance and promises that its owner will not tire of it even after several years.

www.hager.cz/vypinac
www.ivankakowalski.com
www.monobrand.cz 
Photo: Konsepti and David Raub