Designing Room12 with Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
In the vibrant hospitality landscape of Bucharest, Room12 redefines boutique lodging through its combination of timeless design, comfort, and curated authenticity. Its interiors unfold as a dialogue between contemporary needs and historical depth, achieved through a carefully selected collection of vintage mid-century modern furniture curated by Retros Gallery.
The Concept: Thoughtful Hospitality
Room12 was conceived as a space that balances functionality with an elevated design experience. Each apartment communicates character through proportion, texture, and materiality, demonstrating how thoughtful design shapes the emotional quality of a space.
The guiding principle was simple yet profound: integrate vintage furniture with a mid-century modern aesthetic to create interiors that feel intentional, refined, and inviting. Every detail—from seating to lighting and accessories—was curated to convey harmony and personality, ensuring guests experience a space that feels authentic and distinctive.
The Role of Retros and Corina Olaru
Behind the vision of Room12 is Corina Olaru, Interior Designer and Owner of Retros, whose expertise guided every aspect of the aparthotel’s interiors. Corina’s approach prioritizes storytelling through design, selecting furniture and décor with history, provenance, and aesthetic resonance.
Through Retros, she curated a collection that exemplifies:
- Organic silhouettes that balance geometry and comfort.
- Material contrasts between wood, upholstery, and metal accents.
- Lighting and accessories that create layers of atmosphere and intimacy.
For more insights into her philosophy, explore this exclusive interview with Corina Olaru featured in Retros Magazine.
Mid-Century Modern Influence
The mid-century modern style was integral to the project. Its clean lines, sculptural forms, and warm wood tones provide an elegant yet comfortable foundation for hospitality interiors. Each vintage piece carries a patina of age that adds depth, individuality, and an authentic narrative to the apartments.
Guests encounter interiors where design feels curated rather than manufactured, offering a timeless aesthetic that aligns seamlessly with contemporary standards of comfort.
Guest Experience: Design as Emotion
The interiors of Room12 influence how guests interact with the space. Vintage sofas and armchairs invite lingering moments, while dining sets and accent pieces establish subtle visual hierarchy and rhythm. Thoughtful lighting guides mood throughout the day, crafting an atmosphere that is both welcoming and inspiring.
By integrating authentic furniture, Room12 delivers an experience that transcends functional accommodation, engaging visitors on an emotional and aesthetic level.
Luxury through Design Thinking
Room12 sets a new standard in boutique hospitality, where luxury emerges from intentionality and design intelligence rather than extravagance.
The luxury experience here is defined by:
- Elite design thinking: each apartment is composed with coherence, proportion, and layered detailing.
- Timeless mid-century modern authenticity: furniture pieces carry stories, textures, and materials that elevate the environment.
- Experiential sophistication: guests encounter spaces that feel curated, personal, and thoughtfully composed, reflecting a refined sense of taste.
This approach positions Room12 as a destination for travelers seeking subtle, elevated, and meaningful luxury.
Sustainability and Enduring Value
Selecting vintage furniture is also a conscious choice for sustainability. Reusing and restoring existing pieces reduces environmental impact while showcasing craftsmanship that stands the test of time.
Room12’s interiors communicate a philosophy where beauty, history, and responsibility intersect, reinforcing Retros’ commitment to design with purpose and longevity.
From Vision to Reality: The Design Process
Creating Room12 involved meticulous planning and curation:
- Defining proportions and layout to optimize comfort and circulation.
- Curating vintage pieces that meet functional, aesthetic, and historical standards.
- Restoration and integration, ensuring that each object retains its identity while performing within a hospitality context.
The result is a space where design appears effortless but is rooted in careful selection, craftsmanship, and vision.
Retros’ Mission in Practice
Room12 is a living example of Retros’ philosophy: to bring authentic vintage furniture into modern interiors in ways that feel relevant, refined, and timeless. By curating and restoring pieces, Retros allows designers, architects and owners to create spaces that transcend trends while celebrating history and character.
Closing Thoughts
Room12 demonstrates how vintage mid-century modern furniture can transform the identity of a hospitality project. Through the vision of Corina Olaru and the expertise of Retros Gallery, the aparthotel delivers an elite, timeless, and thoughtfully composed guest experience.
For those interested in interiors that blend history, sustainability, and luxury, Room12 stands as a reference point for design-driven hospitality—proof that authentic furniture and intentional design choices can define the atmosphere, quality, and soul of a space.
