Mamastudio transforms historic Warsaw apartments into Autor Rooms boutique hotel
Warsaw firm Mamastudio has launched its own hotel, turning a series of residential spaces into guest rooms that showcase furniture and artwork by Polish designers (+ slideshow).
Mamastudio worked with Polish architect Mateusz Baumiller to design the interiors for the Autor Rooms hotel, which pair traditional architectural elements with input from a roster of local design talent.
"Autor Rooms is meant to attract people looking for beauty, for unpretentious atmosphere and for an opportunity to connect with people with similar interests," said the studio.
Custom-designed furniture and fittings have been supplied by designers and studios including Beza Projekt, Porcelana Kristoff, Maria Jeglińska, Comforty, Segiet Oniszh and Ultralight, Paged Meble, Purpura and BISK.
Historical features such as stucco, mouldings and parquet floors have been retained, and are contrasted with a selection of art curated by Warsaw's Starter Gallery.
Although each of the hotel's bedrooms look different, Baumiller tied all four designs together with common elements.
Copper bars and glass function as room dividers in some areas of the hotel, while wooden panels have been installed as partition walls in others.
A shared living area includes a terrace and a large communal dining table, and the adjacent kitchen is decorated with geometric tiles in mixed patterns.
Visitors are invited to browse the hotel's vinyl record collection and library, and art and furniture is available for guests to purchase.
Hotel staff can provide visitors with suggestions for places to explore around the city, arranging trips that are organised according to interests.
Related content: see more stories about architecture and design in Warsaw
The design agency behind the venture, Mamastudio, has been situated in Warsaw for more than ten years.
"We love our city and know all its secret treasures," the studio explained in a statement. "We want our guests to explore Warsaw beyond the usual, uninspired tourist routes to show them the real McCoy."
"Our goal is to create new quality in the hospitality market in Warsaw," Mamastudio added. "We want to fill the niche between cheap hostels and private accommodation on the one hand, and big names and luxe hotels on the other."
Elsewhere in the city, a baguette store was modelled on market booths and fast food stalls set up in the 1990s, and three gabled huts were added to a clothes store interior. Warsaw is also home to the world's narrowest house, according to its architect.