KAOS, A DECLARATION OF LOVE… BY KAMORKA
In this interview, we talk with Viktar and Maria from Kamorka Workshop, the duo behind a beautifully curated collection of vintage furniture from mid-20th-century Eastern Europe. With a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship and timeless aesthetics of the era, they bring new life to pieces from the former Czechoslovakia, Poland, Romania, Hungary, the GDR, and beyond, combining history, design, and passion in every restoration.
What is the project KAMORKA?
KAMORKA is a small family-run business that combines a love for beautiful design with a deep respect for nature – and the desire to share that with as many people as possible.
How did you get into upcycling?
It all started back in 2016, after a long wedding trip. We didn’t want to go back to our office jobs – instead, we wanted to do something new, creative, and ideally meaningful for the environment. Inspired by what we’d seen online, we decided to give a second life to old furniture – pieces that would otherwise most likely end up in the trash. So, in a tiny shed in the countryside (which in Russian we’d call a Kamorka), we began our journey with our first project – transforming old chairs into bright, eye-catching interior pieces.
What’s the story behind your furniture? (Highlighting the origin of materials before upcycling)
In the beginning, we found furniture online or sometimes even on the street – pieces whose shapes or proportions inspired us. We would bring them to our little Kamorka in the countryside and start the transformation.
At first, we mostly upcycled furniture repainig it or altered its structure to give it a new function. But as we dove deeper into the world of furniture, we realized that old furniture wasn’t just “old furniture” with potential – among it were true design gems from the 1960s and 70s. That’s how we discovered Eastern European mid-century modern design and completely fell in love with it, especially with the Czechoslovak style.
How does upcycled furniture change the way we think about waste and design?
Upcycling, in my opinion, is a wonderful way not to throw away furniture that’s been in your home for decades and feels a bit tired – but instead to breathe new life into it. You can repaint it, add patterns, or even change its construction depending on your imagination and needs. Another approach is restoration, wich often revealing the stunning natural beauty of the wood grain and veneer hidden for years under faded varnish. Furniture from the 1960s and 70s, even though mass-produced with the help of new technologies, was made to last. Many of these pieces are true design treasures. So by choosing upcycled or restored furniture, we’re not only caring for the planet by avoiding new mass-produced items (that often don’t survive even one move), but also bringing something truly unique and full of character into our homes.
What emotions do you want people to feel when they bring a piece of upcycled furniture into their home?
I truly believe that furniture, whether upcycled or restored, becomes a centerpiece that catches the eye and brings joy. What I love most is seeing more and more people discovering the charm and uniqueness of Czechoslovak mid-century design. The reactions of those encountering it for the first time always confirm that we’re not alone in our passion.
What are you working on now?
Most of the pieces I’m working with these days are original Czechoslovak design furniture, which I carefully and lovingly restore, giving them another few decades of life. Chairs, armchairs, dining and writing tables, sideboards and cabinets – all beautifully made, functional, and ergonomic pieces.
From time to time, I also do upcycling reimagining certain pieces with my own design ideas, often inspired by that same bold and experimental spirit of the 1960s and 70s, when designers played freely with form and new materials.
How did you arrive at KAOS?
While searching online for a space for our workshop in Berlin, I came across KAOS, and even from the photos, it was clear this place was something special. I think anyone who’s ever been to KAOS would understand what I mean when I say it was love at first sight – from the very moment I approached the building by the Spree.
And once I stepped inside, I knew right away that our Kamorka had to continue its story here.