For eight years, Grupa NONO has been bringing together architects, designers and furnishing specialists with a common goal: to create quality and timeless interiors. All thanks to Karolina Szyszka – a forward-thinking leader and a graduate of the Cracow University of Technology, member of the Association of Polish Architects, and founder of one of the most popular industry channels on YouTube. The high esteem she enjoys is reflected in the numerous invitations to collaborate from key manufacturers, such as Kontakt Simon.
Passion passed down from generation to generation – how does a love of detail and fine materials come about?
In fact, design was present in Karolina Szyszka’s family as far back as the 19th century. Walking through the streets of Cracow, you can see many of the townhouses where her great-grandfather and grandfather used to work, and where her dad and brother now work. Traces of the designer’s ancestral work can even be found at the Wawel Castle. No wonder that today one of the Grupa NONO’s specialisations is actually the design of historic interiors, combining respect for the historic fabric with a breath of modernity. The heritage passed down through generations of specialists in antique joinery, restoration and renovation has also rekindled the architect’s love for fine materials that can age gracefully.
Multiple perspectives and a common goal – the strength of a skilled team
‘We spend more than 80% of our lives in indoor spaces, which is why they deserve special attention,’ Karolina Szyszka often says. When she founded her own design studio in 2016, she set herself the goal of creating spaces that fully meet the investors’ needs, personalities and passions. The architect is very committed to all stages of the work: from design to completion through to documentation, making the studio stand out with a lively portfolio made up of photos and videos of the entire process.
However, Grupa NONO is much more than a charismatic and dedicated leader. The studio is made up of a group of specialists with education, knowledge and experience in various areas. A well-qualified team that complements and inspires each other is a guarantee of a well-executed service and reliable support at every stage of the project work. The studio’s successes are testament to this. The Grupa NONO’s achievements include first prize in the Polish Interiors 2020 competition for the design of the chilispaces.com coworking office in Cracow.
What values and outlook guide your design work? What are your priorities in creating interior designs?
‘We enter the personal space with appreciation, celebrating its uniqueness,’ are the words that reflect very well how we see our role in the design process. We ensure that the interiors are authentic and honest by using fine and natural materials that mature beautifully over time.
Do you have a favourite interior design style? If so, what kind?
We avoid defining a design style. Instead, we focus on a combination of tradition, craftsmanship and a current outlook, creating interiors that are difficult to clearly place within a time frame or a particular aesthetic.
What materials and technologies do you most like to use in your projects?
We tend to go for fine materials that bring a very defined character to the interior. Natural stone stands for durability, strength, power, stability and coolness, wood brings to mind associations with warmth, softness and craftsmanship, and glass brings transparency, spaciousness and light. Last but not least, we do not forget the crowning jewellery of the project: a touch of flash with steel, brass or copper. And when we want bespoke decoration, we carefully choose wallpaper with an original motif or hand-crafted ceramics.
What are your experiences of working with clients? What do you think is the key to a successful collaboration?
The basis for a successful collaboration is a conscious decision to establish one. The ideal situation is when the values presented by the studio are in line with those of the client – whether in terms of style, materials, budget or functionality. It is useful if the designer’s proposals inspire the client and build trust. This is the foundation that enables both parties to be fully involved in the project process. No less important is the architect’s open honesty with the client, which involves listening carefully to the client’s needs and proposing solutions that are appropriate to actual expectations.
Can you tell us about the most interesting project you have worked on?
We find each project special when working on it. This can be noticed in the choice of materials – we always focus on novelty and innovation. We are inspired by our clients, who provide us with plenty of ideas to create unique concepts, as each of them has a different vision. Each project also gives us the opportunity to gain new experience, which is extremely important to us.
Do you offer a consultation service?
Yes, Design Consultation is a service aimed at people who do their own interior design and want to verify their ideas.