Magdalena Kwoczka from Finchstudio
Poland-based Magdalena Kwoczka from Finchstudio draws on authenticity when designing her bold, joyful and innovative interiors—we step inside her practice and learn about her creative journey.
Photography: Zasoby Studio & Finchstudio
Magdalena Kwoczka from Finchstudio. Photo: Courtesy of Finchstudio
Objects of Desire, in Wrocław, by Finchstudio. Photo: Zasoby Studio
‘I truly enjoy working with people and tackling the challenges at every stage of the project's realisation—that's what it's all about for me,’ says Magdalena Kwoczka. Photo: Courtesy of Finchstudio
Pop Art project by Finchstudio. Photo: Courtesy of Finchstudio
Hello Magdalena—take us back to the beginning, what were you doing before you set up Finchstudio?
Magdalena: Before founding my design studio, I studied at the Krakow Academy of Fine Arts, an art school, and also worked as a set designer for theatre productions.
What was the main motivator behind starting your own studio?
The main motivator was to become the master of my own time, to be independent of others, and to set my own rules and guidelines.
You set up Finchstudio back in 2011—how has the studio evolved in that time?
Slowly evolving from a one-person operation managing everything, my studio has grown while maintaining a boutique, intimate character. I've had the good fortune to collaborate with very talented people. Over time, I've developed my own methods, tested many sub-contractors, and pursued bolder and more daring ideas. My mindset and approach to projects have also evolved. Today, I know exactly what I want and the direction my studio is heading. We put all our creative energy into projects with potential, working with people who want to work with us and share the same ideas.
Where do you mainly gather inspiration for your designs?
This one is really a tricky question. I don't have a single answer to it. You could say that my clients often inspire me—their lifestyle, how they dress, and how they articulate their needs for the emerging interiors. During the conceptual stage, we do a lot of hand sketching. Live drawing is very important to me, and sometimes a few hand movements set the direction of the work. I absorb inspiration all the time, every day. I follow fashion trends, think about unusual combinations of materials or solutions. Sometimes I can spend a long time on a concept, and then one day I see something—a colour, an object, a moment—that opens up new ideas in my mind.
What materials do you most like to work with in your designs?
I like working with materials that are authentic and not pretending to be something else, although I also appreciate those that pretend in a clever and intentional way. I’m fascinated by the idea of materials aging and changing over time, showing wear rather than artificially aging. I enjoy working with fabrics, whether upholstery, curtains, or handwoven wall tapestries. In Poland, we have a forgotten history of weaving, and we were brilliant at it, so I also aim to revive these patterns and artisanal techniques in our contemporary interiors. I highly value working with local artists, engaging in discussions with them not only about artistic aspects but also technological ones—I’m always very curious about the world.
How would you best describe your style at Finchstudio?
Bold, strong, and out of the box.
What does it mean to be an interior designer in the current interiors and design landscape in Poland?
What is happening in Poland now is an actual boom in our field. The design industry is filled with very conscious, individual, and incredibly talented people. We eagerly engage in collaboration between artists and object designers, often talking and inspiring each other. It's a close-knit community that wants to create the best and freshest things. Clients are also open-minded, desiring to follow the trends. More and more, the role of an architect is being understood as a kind of guru or guide by them. We are very fortunate to be here now since a lot is happening. And it's essential to find your niche, know what you want to do, and how you will present it.
Objects of Desire, in Wrocław, by Finchstudio. Photo: Zasoby Studio
‘I expend the most energy during the concept phase, which can sometimes feel like running a marathon. But I love it, so I keep running.’ Photo: Courtesy of Finchstudio
Snake House by Finchstudio. Photo: Courtesy of Finchstudio
Pop Art project by Finchstudio. Photo: Courtesy of Finchstudio
“I absorb inspiration all the time, every day. I follow fashion trends, think about unusual combinations of materials or solutions. Sometimes I can spend a long time on a concept, and then one day I see something—a colour, an object, a moment—that opens up new ideas in my mind.”
Snake House by Finchstudio. Photo: Courtesy of Finchstudio
Snake House by Finchstudio. Photo: Courtesy of Finchstudio
Objects of Desire by Finchstudio. Photo: Zasoby Studio
Snake House by Finchstudio. Photo: Courtesy of Finchstudio
Objects of Desire, in Wrocław, by Finchstudio. Photo: Zasoby Studio
Objects of Desire, in Wrocław, by Finchstudio. Photo: Zasoby Studio
When did design first have an impact on you?
I don't remember a specific moment when design first impacted me. Since childhood, I've been surrounded by beautiful objects, and in art high school, I had mostly creative classes. What comes to mind is during my university years when we had a project to design a chair, which we then built ourselves in the workshop. The feeling of seeing your idea come to life, along with the challenges faced along the way, and then becoming the owner of a functional piece you created, was truly amazing.
The most rewarding part of your job is…
It’s the entire process of building relationships with clients and the team members whose work contributes to the final outcome of a project. I truly enjoy working with people and tackling the challenges at every stage of the project's realisation—that's what it's all about for me.
And the most challenging aspect…
The most challenging aspect of my job is to be super productive 24/7. My mind works even at night, creating and analyzing potential scenarios for a given interior. The hardest thing for me is to manage my energy for each project to avoid burnout. I expend the most energy during the concept phase, which can sometimes feel like running a marathon. But I love it, so I keep running.
What’s the first design element you always notice when you walk into a room?
The first thing that catches my attention is not a specific object but the overall atmosphere and character of the space, as it is closely linked to the people who live there. Sometimes you can guess the personality of the owners just by being in their space. I also pay attention to the light, the ambiance, and the subtle, almost intangible impressions the room gives me. Additionally, as a fundamentalist of functional issues, I always analyze the space from a functional perspective.
The most valuable piece of advice you would give to emerging interior designers looking to break into the industry is...
Don't be afraid of the mistakes you make along the way; they are necessary and will help you find your path. You may not know exactly what you want to do at first, but through practice, you will gain awareness of where your strengths and originality lie. Find your niche. And remember, the work of an interior designer is 30% creativity and 70% people skills and problem-solving abilities.
Are there any dream projects or collaborations you aspire to undertake?
I would love to undertake something totally crazy and radical, preferably in collaboration with a fantastic team of open-minded individuals.
What’s coming up for Finchstudio?
This year, I definitely want to expand Finchstudio's presence in the European market and work with international clients. I believe in the principle of taking small steps. Currently, we’re working on two projects in Berlin, including a wine bar for a client from Los Angeles, and a wonderful apartment in Mallorca, curating a set of beautiful art and complementing it with design pieces. As I enjoy collaborating with interesting people who have a different approach to projects, a future where we operate globally is very exciting for me. Additionally, I'm looking forward to completing several dream projects and launching our new website. In short, there is a lot happening.