Sopot isn’t exactly short of pretty places, but Palotna is doing something a little different. Hidden inside a beautiful 19th-century building, it’s part photography studio, part creative playground and part meeting place for people with interesting ideas. We caught up with Katia, the woman behind it all, to talk unexpected friendships, flamenco nights, unusual workshops and why running a beautiful space sometimes means carrying bricks in a dress. Oh, and apparently, she’s still waiting for two guests to fall in love and get married.
What’s the secret to making a space feel special rather than just beautiful?
Freedom. Beautiful interiors catch your eye, but feelings stay with you. Our 19th-century building has incredible character, yet it’s the people who bring it alive. I want visitors to leave inspired, connected or simply happy.
Sopot is famous for beaches and nightlife. Where does Palotna fit in?
Sopot has many personalities! You can spend the afternoon on the beach and the evening at an intimate dinner or creative workshop. Our guests love dressing up for events, too. Sometimes everyone deserves to feel like the main character!
What’s the most unexpected thing that’s happened at Palotna?
We’ve danced flamenco, tasted olive oil from wine glasses and held silent tea gatherings. For our birthday, we even made a 15-kilogram cake resembling real soil! But the most meaningful moments are hearing how our events have changed someone’s life.
Before Palotna, who was Katia?
Was creating your own space always the dream?
I’ve always loved creating environments where people can flourish. From volunteering with children to working in HR in IT, that idea followed me everywhere. Palotna simply gave it a physical home, filled with sunlight, flowers and creativity.
Palotna isn’t simply a photography studio. What was your original vision?
I wanted somewhere people could meet, create and inspire each other without being confined to one role. Sopot has so many different personalities, and I wanted Palotna to reflect that same freedom.
Tell us about the new Immersive Garden. Where did the idea come from?
It began with memories of an apple orchard outside my home in Belarus. I realised physical gardens can disappear, but the gardens inside us remain. Graphic and set designer Ekaterina Burlak, bonatical designer Ikebanistka Anka Floral and I brought that philosophy to life for Palotna’s first birthday.
Have any unexpected friendships started at Palotna?
Absolutely! People meet at our events, become friends, go on walks or start creative projects together. You can organise an event, but you can’t organise chemistry. Honestly, all that’s left is for us to get someone married! (Laughs.)
If you could give anyone the keys to Palotna for one night, who gets them?
A complete stranger! No rules, no expectations. I’d return the next morning to discover what happened. Maybe they’d transform the studio or throw the party of their lives. I love the unknown.
If someone made a film about your life, what would surprise the audience most?
That I’m still searching. I have more ideas than time — books to write, projects to create and dreams of expanding Palotna. My mind is constantly building something new. I don’t have all the answers, but I love that my story is still unfolding.
After chatting with Katia, you realise Palotna isn’t really about beautiful interiors. It’s about the people, the unexpected friendships and the wonderfully strange things that happen when creativity takes over. She’s already hosted flamenco nights, silent tea parties and a cake that looked like dirt. Now she’s hoping someone finds love there. And if Palotna ever hosts its first wedding, we’re betting the cake will be the least normal thing about it.