Conversations over coffee — Karla Gruszecka

Having worked in the fashion industry for over a decade, stylist Karla Gruszecka pours all of her heart into every new project she works on. We visited stylist’s Warsaw apartment to talk about her design inspirations and the process of building an oasis of comfort.
Monika Mróz
5.18.2023
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Monika Mróz
5.18.2023
Tell us how long you’ve been living in this apartment and why you chose it.

I moved into this flat in May 2020, during the pandemic. When I first walked in here and saw the beautiful view on the park and Warsaw’s skyline, I made the decision to purchase it in 5 minutes. (laughs) I instantly felt there was a good energy here and I found this space very soothing. I love observing the changing seasons that show in the trees behind the windows. From the very first moment, I also knew how I would arrange every corner of this apartment.

So, what were your inspirations and ideas behind arranging this space?

When it comes to design, I am mainly drawn to modernism and Bauhaus. However, I am not as pragmatic, so I have to find the balance in that. I really enjoy vintage items, I love Blanca Miró’s style, and I like to create combinations that are not obvious. Two years ago, I went for a trip to Mexico and Los Angeles and it made me rethink my priorities a lot. Visiting those two places was incredibly influential for me, and now affects my aesthetics and the way I live. I am very inspired by what is happening around me — I absorb dance, music, food and people’s expressions, and it is the most intense when travelling. I can see that this then translates into my personal style and my interior.
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My interior mirrors what is going on in my life at the moment. I like to surround myself with things that make feel energized and happy.
When I look around your apartament, I get the impression that every object tells a different story. 

Yes! My interior mirrors what is going on in my life at the moment. When I feel that too much is happening, the space around me becomes serene: I remove things that are too colourful and eccentric. However, when I work on new projects, I need to fill my space with things that creatively tease me - that I can enter in the interaction with. I love to surround myself with objects that fill me with energy and make me think of nice moments. I am now holding the album I got as a gift from my sister. It’s about Flamingo Estate, a farm, restaurant and design space based in Los Angeles. This is my piece of California in Warsaw. I pay lots of attention to details and small joys in my everyday life. I receive lots of cute gifts from my friends and family, such as the soap from Flamingo Estate, chocolate box from London or ceramics from Lisbon. I also bring a lot of small souvenirs from my trips — olive oil, spices, notebooks or pens. No matter where we live, we can make our life a colourful one. I like to surround myself with things that make feel energized and happy. 

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You work simultaneously on several different projects. How do you relax and is your home a good place for that?

I used to treat my home like a hotel, but I changed this approach a few years ago and now this apartment is my safe space. I try to make sure there are always fresh fruits and flowers in here, I love to be surrounded with nice scents and sensations. I’m a big fan of organic materials: wool, cashmere. I want my home to feel like someone gives you a hug. I have a few rituals that help me feel grounded: every day, I make fresh mint tea and I spend my whole morning sipping this herbal tea from my favourite mug. I also have a special “weekend” corner in my wardrobe, which I haven’t used that much before. Today, the pyjamas and loungewear are my favourite things to wear! I like to feel special at home and wearing dedicated outfits give me a very good feeling.
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The breakfast you prepared for us today is served in your ÅOOMI ceramics. Tell us why ÅOOMI?

I am a hedonist and I really care what I eat and drink in. I have a very diverse ceramics collection at my home. On special occasions, I sometimes feel extra and I serve food on my eccentric vintage pieces, like a cabbage-shaped plate. But to celebrate meals on a daily basis I don’t need special effects — it’s the simplicity that makes it the most special. I like when there’s harmony between the meal and the tableware and in that sense, ÅOOMI acts as a clean canvas that elevates the food. I like to surround myself with products that are timeless and don’t pretend to be something else. Things that are too eccentric make me tired. Drinking fresh tea or coffee from my favourite ÅOOMI mug while looking at the park from my apartment makes me happy. And when I’m happy, I can see that I pass it through other people. When I feel joy, my eyes get brighter and my hair becomes even more curly, and this energy is later seen in the projects I work on. This is the reason why the details in my home are so important to me. Lastly, my intense lifestyle almost forces me to look for things that will calm me down a little, and using ÅOOMI surely makes me feel at ease.
I like when there’s harmony between the meal and the tableware and in that sense, ÅOOMI acts as a clean canvas that elevates the food. I like to surround myself with products that are timeless and don’t pretend to be something else.
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I like when there’s harmony between the meal and the tableware and in that sense, ÅOOMI acts as a clean canvas that elevates the food. I like to surround myself with products that are timeless and don’t pretend to be something else.
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