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His interiors unfold like stories. Enriched with vintage design, art, and soulful objects, they weave layers of texture against a subtle, refined colour palette. Each project is approached as a journey — individual, organic, and grounded in mindfulness and authenticity. Mat Kubaj — visual artist, interior architect, and painter — blends intuition with a deep respect for both human needs and the history of the spaces he transforms. In conversation with OMNIRES, he reflects on what truly matters in design: the pursuit of harmony between function, form, and emotion.
Photos and videos: ZASOBY STUDIO | Interview: OMNIRES Editorial Team
Natural materials and a muted colour palette lie at the heart of Mat Kubaj’s interiors. Earthy tones take the lead — shades that don’t dominate but instead harmoniously coexist with the space. Linen, wood, stone, and breathable fabrics become his essential tools, layered with intention to create warmth and authenticity. Minimalist details, such as fittings from the Y collection, blend seamlessly into the design, while refined finishes — brushed antique copper, brushed graphite, and chrome — infuse a sense of calm and timeless elegance. For Kubaj, colour is never a whim. Each hue is chosen to complement rather than dictate, allowing the interiors to breathe and evolve naturally. This quiet restraint, paired with an organic sensibility, ensures his spaces age with grace and acquire beauty over time.
What is the starting point of your creative process?
I always begin with the place itself — the building, its architecture, character, and history. For me, it’s essential that an interior feels authentic, in dialogue with its surroundings and the fabric into which it is woven. I don’t create Parisian townhouses inside modern apartment blocks. If I’m working with a 1960s building, I’ll often draw on the spirit of modernism, layering it with vintage accents. This coherence forms the foundation of my work. From there, the conversation with the client begins. I take time to understand them, to listen to the stories they want the interior to tell. Quite often, we start with meaningful objects — paintings, sculptures, or family heirlooms. From these pieces, the first thread of the narrative emerges. For me, design is not just about creating; it’s about accompanying, nurturing, and building relationships — relationships that are often deeply personal.
How has your design style developed over the years?
My style has evolved significantly, because I myself have grown and continue to evolve. People change and mature, and so do their perspectives. Yet one principle remains constant: an interior must tell a story. It must speak the truth. That’s why my projects are rich with vintage design, art, and objects imbued with soul. I often work in historic townhouses, where the past is already written into the walls. By combining these elements with modern design, I create a dialogue between past and present. Timelessness is central to my work. I don’t follow trends—they can serve as accents, but never the foundation. I strive to create spaces that are calm, harmonious, and often inspired by the Japanese philosophy of balance and mindfulness. For me, natural materials, subdued palettes, quality, and simplicity are what matter most.
Do you use materialboards?
Materialboards are absolutely essential to my process — they are a tool for the senses. I can lay out an entire project on a single table, from a fragment of wallpaper to fabrics, wood, stone, and finally the fittings. I create moodboards that are tactile, sensory, and rich in texture. These boards often feature the handwoven rugs I design, crafted from wool and silk, which translate my paintings into textiles. They are not just colour compositions — they are entire stories woven from materials. Even scent can play a role, with subtle notes from interior paper or natural oils, completing the sensory experience.
What role do the senses play in your work?
It’s something many people overlook, but for me, it is fundamental. We experience interiors with all our senses — touch, scent, sight. A chair should be comfortable, fabrics natural and pleasant to the touch, and the air should carry the subtle scent of home. Someone once remarked that my interiors “do not have colours.” In a sense, that is true. They rely on a restrained palette, yet they are rich in textures and layers. Old vases, linen curtains, hand-oiled wood, raw stone, and metal come together to create compositions that are subtle, yet profoundly felt. Light is another essential element — diffused, warm, and highlighting the softness of the space.
What would you like people to feel inside your interiors?
Tranquillity. That is what matters most to me. We live in a world saturated with stimuli — the city, advertising, screens everywhere. The home should be a sanctuary: a place to rest, breathe, and simply be ourselves. The greatest compliment I can receive is when someone says they feel tranquillity in a space I’ve created. That’s why an interior must be gentle and calming, much like a spa. Soft lighting, deep, soothing colours — these elements create a sense of serenity. Why shouldn’t our own homes offer the same sense of peace?
What in your work exists in the background, yet gives it meaning?
Details. Subtle elements that may initially go unnoticed, yet without them, a project would feel incomplete. It could be the way wall lamps seem to “grow” out of a painting, how a fireplace aligns perfectly with the lines of a piece of furniture, or how the shape of a table mirrors the contours of a rug. These elements engage in a silent dialogue, often designed specifically for a particular interior — intentional, embedded in the very fabric of the space. While they may not always be immediately visible, they shape the atmosphere on a subconscious level, giving the space its depth and meaning.
For Mat Kubaj, design is a process rooted in patience, openness, and mindfulness. It is a collaborative journey, a search for a style that authentically reflects the identity of those who will inhabit the space. Such interiors never come from a catalogue — they are carefully composed, crystallized in response to individual needs and sensibilities, with the client always remaining at the heart of the process.
Design isn’t about reinventing the wheel — it’s about authenticity. About creating from within, rather than imitating. Beyond trends. Beyond seasons. Enduring. Timeless.
This autumn, an OMNIRES Showroom will open in Warsaw’s Powiśle district, showcasing not only the brand’s portfolio but also original material compositions by some of Poland’s most charismatic interior designers, including Mat Kubaj. Kubaj’s material board captures the designer’s sensitivity and distinctive aesthetic language, becoming a true source of inspiration — a tapestry of emotions and stories that can be translated into personal living spaces. In his composition, Kubaj highlights fittings from the Y collection, presented in refined finishes: brushed antique copper, brushed graphite, and polished chrome. Their minimalist forms subtly complement the overall concept, emphasizing restraint, organic essence, and timeless elegance.