Historical story

What was life like under communes? A tour of an apartment from the 1960s

Own m2-3-4 with electricity, running water and sewage? It was just something. Working people coming to Nowa Huta straight from towns and villages had only one minor problem. In a new apartment, in a newly built housing estate, the new residents of Nowa Huta had to settle down properly. Here local magazines came to the rescue…

The new architecture, which was to be settled by the working people, required slightly different interior solutions than, for example, a country cottage (although some initially and in newly built housing estates were breeding broth layers, and some dwarf quietly slipped away). It was also impossible to arrange them as spacious apartments in tenement houses, with large rooms with light walls and high ceilings. Fortunately, there was "Głos Nowa Huta", which bravely instructed the newly baked housewives how to arrange their new socket in a modern way. Of course, with the help of only Polish stores.

And fifty years ago…

We are in the early sixties. The new apartment blocks in the equally Nowa Huta area still smell of a mixture of mortar, plaster and paint aromas. We knock on the first door and find an elegantly furnished m2. The hostess ushers us into the hall, which has a few small functional furniture, but what kind! Hanger, shoe cabinet, mirror. In stores in Nowa Huta you can buy such a set, immortalized in the photo of our photojournalist, for only PLN 1240. It consists of a green hanger and a aquamarine-black shoe cabinet, it also has five metal hooks, a shelf for hats, a place for umbrellas and a large mirror. Meanwhile, the hostess asks us to go to the living room.

From the left, a set from the hall, a table from the living room and a pattern of a super-fashionable rug for only 2262 zlotys.

In the center there is a square table surrounded by four chairs. It is an ideal place to receive guests, or to organize a bridge game. But what would a table be without a tablecloth? And this is best to buy in the Polski Len store on the B-32 estate. For 73 to 115 zlotys, you can buy an original and durable table decoration. Ba! Only part of the batch was on the shelves, the rest was exported. It's not just anything. And since we're talking about textiles, it's impossible not to mention the curtains. Every Polish housewife knows that the window is bald without them. The better the quality, the more expensive it is. However, this is something that is not worth saving on.

The last cry of fashion are kilims, which we have a wide selection in stores in Nowa Huta. A beautiful piece of Polish work with elegant Zakopane patterns. A real hit. Only PLN 2,262.

Such lamps were also a beautiful and practical gift.

Each room in the house must not only be decorated, but also illuminated. For this purpose, it is best to go to one of the CPLiA stores. The latest beautiful lamps are waiting there. The most beautiful, with the most sophisticated cuts, are the designs of the native painter, Mrs. Walczakowa, a woman from Krakow. Nothing but to buy and hang or put in the hallway, living room or other room. Our lady of the house did so and her bedroom is decorated with beautiful low lamps in "straw hats" . And that there is never enough opportunity, you can not only give yourself, but also a loved one, such a practical gift ...

A prototype of a modern bedroom, created in Kalwaria.

Since we are at the bedroom, our lady of the house introduces the reporters of "Historical Curiosities" to her alcove and proudly boasts the latest prototype made in Kalwaria. Two low beds, the same number of bedside tables with shelves, a wide dressing table with an opening top with a mirror, a four-door wardrobe and a set consisting of a high table with an original shape and three stools upholstered in red fabric . Fortunately, our hostess's bedroom is quite large, as this set requires a certain amount of space.

On the left, a gift our reporters received, and on the right, a brand new set of kitchen furniture for our hostess.

The kitchen is a completely different pair of wellies. Although small, it had to be functional. And what better service would be for your home than a set straight from the Nowa Huta Furniture Showroom.

It has an interesting combination of colors:cream and gray, and several shades of the table top, chairs and sideboard. The set consists of a large sideboard with lots of drawers, a table, two stools and a hanger for cloths. Total price - PLN 2,200. the furniture is eye-catching, extremely practical and pretty.

"Jak się się za komuny ..." is another article published by us in cooperation with the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow. You can learn about the history of Nowa Huta and its inhabitants by visiting the Scattered Museum of Nowa Huta.

Finally, a gem. Our reporters were given a goodbye gift. They received from the lady of the house folk products, like many in our CPLiA shop which supposedly should be found in every tastefully furnished apartment. After all, these are not always expensive things, and they make a big decoration for a room , about which the “Głos Nowa Huta” report was hastily reported.

One more reflection. During our last visit to IKEA, we noticed that the contemporary, very popular furniture from this store often resembles the gem of Polish modernism ... Are Swedish designers also reading the advice of "Głos Nowa Huta"?

Sources:

  • "Głos Nowa Huta", selected issues from 1959-1967.

We recommend:

  • The scattered Nowa Huta Museum