This small house with tasteful and eclectic aesthetics in the charming spa town of Szczawno-Zdrój, in southern Poland, features a mix of modern and sustainable Cosentino surfaces with porcelain pieces and diverse furnishings.

Known as the restless spirit of Poland’s culinary scene, Jagna Niedzielska continues to encourage her compatriots to try new cooking techniques, while teaching about purchase planning, storage and full use of produce. Niedzielska, who grew up under the guidance of the world’s leading authorities on the Zero Waste movement, including Douglas McMaster – chef of Brighton’s pioneering Silo restaurant – and Helsinki’s Nolla restaurant, not only hosts television shows, but also supports the creation of new restaurants and uses her expertise to improve the operation of existing ones. She is passionate about mismatched porcelain and antique figurines, which she uses here and there to decorate her home in an informal way.

While travelling around Poland, Jagna was looking for a place for a second home where she could unwind and feel refreshed. She visited many interesting houses, full of character, but in the end it was a 150 square metre house in Szczawno, a place surrounded by nature due to its nearby forests, that captivated her. Everything is a stone’s throw away from her ‘gingerbread house’, as she likes to call her home: walks in the forests, baskets full of mushrooms and relaxing in a comfortable garden space, beautifully decorated by Jagna and her husband in an eclectic style filled with antiques.

The exterior of the house has been preserved almost in its original state, as its façade is protected by the local authorities. Inside, there is a wealth of contemporary Polish art, sculptures and exquisite pieces of furniture from the 1980s. During the renovation work, top priority was given to preserving as many of the original features of the house as possible, such as the old floors and the large window in the bedroom. Even the new window sills are made from boards that used to be part of the windows.

The house, which dates back to 1932, retains its old woodwork and most of its furniture is second-hand: the wooden handles in the kitchen; the side table made of tiles, fibreboard and scraps; the glass sculpture; the sofa in the living room; the scratched wall, which was unintentionally created during the renovation works; or the yellow stairs leading up to the attic; they are all a delight.

The new owner made no concessions and opted for two kitchens. Cooking is her passion, so it was clear from the beginning that these two rooms would be the most important in the house. In both, modern Cosentino surfaces, which can perfectly withstand her cooking experiments, take centre stage. Specifically, the colours chosen were Silestone Posidonia Green and Silestone Cincel Grey.

This choice was determined by its sustainable manufacturing process and its thoughtful approach to environmental care. The durability, hygiene and natural composition of the product were key factors in the owner’s choice. According to her: “I chose Cosentino over many other options because of its sustainable manufacturing process, which ensures that there is no loss of quality or durability. In addition, Silestone slabs are made from 20% recycled materials, which is very important to me”.

Jagna Niedzielska is one of the most recognisable faces of the Zero Waste movement in Poland. She is the author of the book ‘Bez resztek’ (No leftovers) and the presenter of the TV cooking shows ‘Jagny Niedzielskiej kuchni bez resztek’ (Jagna Niedzielska’s cooking without leftovers) and ‘Widelcem po mapie’ (a fork on the map). Now, she has chosen Szczawno-Zdrój as her second home, where she has created the unique ‘Gingerbread house’ project.