Moroccan carpets line walls of Warsaw's Aura cocktail bar

Heavy patterned carpets from Morocco and brass fixtures merge to form the rich interior of this cocktail bar in Warsaw, designed by architect Kacper Gronkiewicz.

Set on the ground floor of a former tenement house that was built in the 19th century, Aura is in a small corner plot in Warsaw's downtown Śródmieście Południowe neighbourhood.

The bar takes its name from the Latin term for gold, aurum, and is a loose reference to the colour of the bourbon-based drinks served there.

To bring gold into the interior, locally-based architect Kacper Gronkiewicz installed various different brass fixtures throughout the space – the shelves, high tables and slim, pole-style lights that dangle from the ceiling have all been crafted from the metal.

Brass has also been used to craft the chunky surface top of the drinks counter, which perches on a mismatch marble base, and to line the bar's rear wall.

Moroccan carpets that upholster one of the bar's walls once belonged to the owner's grandmother.

Gronkiewicz became inspired by the carpets and looked into other Moroccan imagery, particularly the country's vibrant markets and Marrakesh's Majorelle Garden which features walls and fountains painted in an intense shade of blue.

A similar cobalt-blue paint has been applied across the walls of the toilet, which is located behind the carpeted wall, accessed via an arched door. Blue velvet has also been used to cover the scallop-edged seating booth tucked into the front window.

The warm red hues found in the carpets are echoed in the floor and barstools.

To optimise the venue's limited floor space, Gronkiewicz created a system of holes in the floor where the custom tables can be slotted into and set at various heights.

The system of holes also allows for the space to have different layouts that cater to different functions throughout the day – during the morning and afternoon the bar can be a cafe, while in the evening it can serve as and a cocktail bar or small concert venue.

Warsaw is home to an increasing number of design-focused bars and dining spots – earlier this year saw the opening of Opasly Tom restaurant, which Buck Studio designed to feature a clashing mix of orange furnishings and grooved blue surfaces.

Photography is by Łukasz Kuś and Magda Rzeszot.

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