Dobre Wnętrze | 2017

Raised in the Tatras

Urszula Górska-Iwicka, an architect and illustrator raised in the Tatras, dreamed of a “small and wooden” Podhale as we remember it from 30 years ago, with low, resin-scented houses and wooden fences behind which fruit trees bow to passers-by. This gave birth to a life and business idea – on Kośne Hamry Street in Poronin, nine kilometers from Zakopane and five kilometers from Bukowina Tatrzańska, at the foot of Galicowa Grapa, Urszula built the charming “GÓRSKA OSADA Luxury Chalets Zakopane.”

Chalet Ornacki: Design and Construction

She lives with her family in one of the houses and rents the others to guests. She invited us to the newest cottage, “Chalet Ornacki,” low and single-story, with an area of 80 square meters. The house, designed by the owner, was built from “logs,” has “lynx” (ornamental log ends), and is “mossed with wool.” This means it was made from large spruce trunks, split in half, decoratively hewn at the ends, and characteristically crossed at the corners.

Traditional Insulation Techniques

The traditional insulation of the cottage is a meticulous process, often requiring highly skilled craftsmen. Initially, the wood is shaved into long curls to create what is known as wool (resembling tangled wool, hence the name). Historically, moss was used for insulation in Tatra buildings. After creating the wool, the master insulates the logs by twisting the wool and placing it between the logs using a tool called trzósło. This method ensures an even and beautiful pattern that remains stable as the cottage settles over time.

Craftsmanship and Tradition

“Carpenter’s work” here meant the work of skilled craftsmen: the ceiling boards were hand-cut, the main beam in the ceiling was hand-carved, and the large trunks were hand-peeled and sanded. Additionally, I wanted a distinct interior sculpture, a stronger chiaroscuro, so I chose more massive boards. Only the floor was lacquered. The remaining elements remained raw, so they have a different structure, a different color – more ashy, nobler. Furthermore, the wood throughout the house was sandblasted to further highlight the grain patterns. The rough nature of the building material, insensitive to the passage of time, is a bit like the local landscape and native inhabitants – summarizes Urszula.

Inspiration from Historic Zakopane

The rosette, stripes, and plant motifs on the main beam are inspired by the ornaments from the historic Zakopane villa “Koliba” by Witkiewicz. The sun motif on the living room door has a similar source. Referring to local building traditions is crucial for me. If we devote ourselves to a culture, we should faithfully showcase the beauty and craftsmanship of the region’s builders – emphasizes the architect.

Among the old knotted grains

The idea for the fireplace arose when Urszula came across a massive old beam with a “wound” dripping resin (it was exposed on the side of the fireplace near the entrance). Additionally, the external and internal walls of the house were also built from spruce logs (planks). These were real logs, but inside they hide a masonry structure and modern thermal insulation. As a result, the walls are even 60 cm thick, hence the very wide windowsills.

In the retro kitchen

In the retro kitchen, milk is served from enamel cans, sugar from a carved wooden sugar bowl with wide chisel marks, sweets from a snowflake-patterned tray, and apples from a bowl carved from a single piece of wood.

Without impregnation

The wooden table with carved legs was found in an antique shop and sandblasted of lacquer. For now, it has not been impregnated, though in this one case the owner is still hesitating. The carpentry in the whole house emphasizes the rustic character of the interior. It is complemented by retro elements: traditional cabinet fronts, jars with rooster-shaped stoppers, a black steel grid above the sink, local craft products (Gorsky.pl), and sheepskins. A bit of modernity is introduced by cylindrical halogen lamps, an induction hob, and simple faucets.

Mirrors, wood, and steel

Additions: traditional sconces with chrome arms and linen curtains in the color of “sack,” as the owner calls her favorite color. They complement the roughness of the modern attic bathroom decor. A mirrored wall, intersected only by a stainless steel strip and wooden posts, reflects a two-person bathtub. In the second bathroom, a modern minimalist shower cabin “Luxia” (New Trendy) emphasizes the comfortable, almost boudoir-like interior, where Urszula Górska-Iwicka designed a wooden dressing table and placed a beautiful sink made from a piece of natural marble rock.

Nook with chinchilla

In the two bedrooms, guests will find high continental beds with headboards covered in fur. The bedside tables are made from logs over a meter in diameter. They were mechanically sawn and then hand-cleaned.

Who’s behind it

Urszula Górska Iwicka:
[GÓRSKA OSADA Luxury Chalets Zakopane]