Chats with your body: visiting Basia Kuligowska’s massage studio
For the past 10 years, Basia Kuligowska, also known as Basiu Kuli, has been co-creating PION Studio, specializing in interior photography, design, and lifestyle. In 2021, she’s got involved in personal development work with people through bodywork, massage, mindfulness, conscious intuitive movement, and Yoga Nidra. She is a certified masseuse in Lomi Lomi Nui, Kobido, Thai massage, and classical massage.
Recently, Basia has opened her own massage studio in Warsaw. This space that stands apart from traditional settings: it’s a harmonious blend of her love for design, bodywork, and… cinema. We are thrilled that noo.ma furniture has found a home in this remarkable haven, and that we had the pleasure of discussing Basia’s inspirations and the intricacies of her craft.
Take us on a tour of the place - what are the spaces here and what are they used for? How did you manage to find such a beautiful spot?
My studio is located in a historic tenement house from 1885 in downtown Warsaw. It survived the war, preserving original elements like wrought iron railings and teardrop-shaped openwork stairs. This unique staircase convinced me to rent the space, despite the fourth-floor walk-up. I'm good at finding unique places online, and while sitting on the couch on New Year's Eve, I came across a photo of this apartment. Together with my partner, we decided to rent it.
The studio is 90 m² and includes a large living room, a space for group workshops, a massage room, a kitchen, and the largest room which houses the Pion Studio office.
Where did you draw inspiration for the decor? What atmosphere did you want to achieve?
I have a head full of ideas and inspirations for decorating this interior, which I really enjoy. I wanted the energy of this place to radiate harmony and peace, avoiding the boring beige style dominant in spas. In the massage room, I wanted a dominant color, and since I love France and Paris, I chose burgundy. I even found a paint called "Rue Charlot" inspired by a street in Le Marais, and I painted the doors and paneling with it. Burgundy combines well with light pink, so I opted for pink curtains. The result is a princess-like room, a somewhat fairy-tale place.
I’m also inspired by films like Coppola's "Marie Antoinette," "Poor Things," and "The Dreamers," with some surreal Lynchian atmosphere. The workshop and guest space is more neutral, blending vintage furniture with items from designers like noo.ma. I prefer timeless furniture, like the Hett bench, Folk pouf, and Oly stool from noo.ma, which provide a backdrop for expressive accessories like vintage vases and lamps.
In the massage room, I wanted a dominant color, and since I love France and Paris, I chose burgundy. I even found a paint called "Rue Charlot" inspired by a street in Le Marais
– Basia Kuligowska
Do you have any favorite items in the studio? Are there any stories associated with them?
Yes! Every item here has emotional significance. The head-shaped lamp from Fenek Studio reminds me of my Bichon Frise dog, Lesio. When I do massages, I look at it and see Lesio's face. The blanket from noo.ma is my second identical one and feels exceptionally comforting. I travel with the second blanket everywhere: to workshops, vacations, it was in the US with me. In the studio, I use it to relax clients with its weight and softness. I also love the steel water jug I brought from New York, found in a Brooklyn bistro selling items from Korean designers.
Where did your passion for massage come from? What courses did you have to take to open your own practice?
I worked with my body through various techniques as part of my psychotherapy for years. My therapist encouraged me to take my first massage course. In my massages, I focus on meditation and returning to the body, calling them "chats with your body” - the inward journeys, listening what the body wants to tell us. The pandemic and overwork on photo shoots led me to pursue this path. Initially, I didn't plan to do it professionally, but I discovered a passion for it. I've completed many courses and workshops, finding great joy in this development. Currently, I’m fascinated by OsteoThai, a subtle method combining Thai massage with modern bodywork and trauma techniques. I also plan to develop in dance and movement therapy.
How does your experience as an interior photographer influence your thinking about interior design? Do you think more about composition, light, colors, etc.?
I think it’s already subconsciously in my mind and I couldn't do it any other way. It would be hard for me to work in a place that doesn't express my aesthetics. Light is very important to me. When taking photos, it’s crucial to convey the atmosphere and beauty of the interior, just as in my studio, to transport people to their inner journeys.
Let’s talk about your love to cinema: what films do you recommend for relaxing at home?
Great question, thanks! I have a few titles in mind, divided into two categories: films that inspire bodywork development and comfort movies, good for watching under a blanket. I recommend the documentary "Mr. Gaga" about choreographer Ohad Naharin and „Stutz", a conversation between Jonah Hill and his psychiatrist. My comfort movies include "Paterson" by Jim Jarmusch, starring Adam Driver as a poetry-writing bus driver, and Sofia Coppola's "Marie Antoinette" and Luca Guadagnino's "Call Me by Your Name." These films are my go-tos for uplifting my mood, and I highly recommend them.
