This architectural narrative, created by Kristina Busko, emerges from a thoughtful observation of a Spanish town where time has left distinct traces reaching back to the Gothic and Renaissance eras. The place became the impulse for shaping a personal enclave – a space of authenticity and beauty that defies established conventions. Deeply rooted in history yet open to contemporaneity, the arrangement becomes a vessel for the designer’s individual, unrestrained expression.

Photos: ZASOBY STUDIO

A Spanish retreat, hidden among the mountains of the Sierra de Mariola range in the province of Valencia, allows for an intimate encounter with history that permeates every corner of the town. Local architecture and the surrounding landscape became a natural point of reference for Kristina, shaping her perception of space. In crafting this personal narrative, Kristina drew inspiration from narrow streets paved with natural Rojo Alicante stone, as well as from façades in shades of pastel peach, burgundy and mint, finished with the irregular structural plasters characteristic of the surrounding buildings.

From this place, we drew inspiration generously – the vision became clear from the very first step inside. It is often said that the most challenging task for an interior architect is designing a home for oneself – nothing could be further from the truth. This work came into being without expectations and with a profound sense of creative freedom.

Kristina Busko’s kitchen is a space where geometric irregularity takes center stage, forming a bold, almost scenographic composition. The character of the interior – shaped by daring color contrasts and a free, intuitive approach to form – is co-created by hand-formed tiles, a mosaic that merges parquet flooring with cobalt ceramics, and a centrally positioned island. The Rosso Levanto burgundy marble countertop, bearing the marks of time, introduces a noble material with a history and becomes one of the key accents of this multilayered arrangement.

Instead of classic kitchen fronts, Kristina opted for fabric curtains, which emphasize the Spanish roots of the kitchen and introduce softness into the dialogue with the sharp geometry of the volumes. A triangular mirror acts as a graphic accent – structuring the rhythm of forms, reflecting light and enhancing the sense of spatial depth. An integral element of this composition is the SWITCH mixer – expressive in form, yet exceptionally practical. The integrated water filtration function proves invaluable in Spanish conditions, where high calcium content in municipal water is an everyday reality.

Engaging with art was one of Kristina’s long-held dreams, brought to life by filling the interiors with original works by Polish artists. This creative energy – interwoven with a saturated color palette and animal motifs – becomes an expression of her personal sensitivity and individual voice. The authorial spatial composition builds an atmosphere of theatricality, heightened by a mysterious interplay of light and shadow. Intimate and emotionally charged, the interior remains an open invitation to a shared, everyday celebration of life.

The form is modest but beautiful, not exaggerated. It matches my physical interior, which is my home, but it also agrees with my way of thinking about form. 

For Kristina, the meaning of space is shaped by objects – carriers of memory, emotion and symbolism that resonate with the architecture and the energy of the place. Original ornamentation and stucco details are far from incidental – they reveal the designer’s personal attachment to objects imbued with history.

The interiors are filled with antiques, vintage furniture and bespoke elements whose stories began in different corners of the world, only to find their continuation today in the south of Spain. Among them are rugs woven in India according to Kristina’s artistic vision. A recurring motif throughout various parts of the home is also Murano chandeliers – radiating craftsmanship and refinement, and revealing Kristina’s fascination with Venetian glassmaking mastery.

The avant-garde aesthetic of the home extends into the bathing area connected to the bedroom. The boudoir-like character of this space creates an atmosphere of intimacy and sensual femininity. The OVO M+ freestanding bath in a terracotta shade, enveloped in soft curtains, invites moments of deep relaxation, while the ARMANCE mixer becomes an additional jewellery-like accent, echoing the romantic spirit of the interior. The platform crafted from a combination of natural stones pays homage to the Southern European stoneworking tradition, present both in the urban fabric and in the designer’s Spanish retreat.