To understand our approach to creating spaces, a context of perspective is needed. The first shop we made in the Hotel Europejski 16 years ago had a minimalist white interior with a blot of black that created a setting for perfumes — at that time it was a revolution. The next one, connected to beauty treatment rooms, was opened in the Lace Factory on Burakowska Street. Then we decided to separate perfumes and skincare, because we understood that these two different worlds sell best in different surroundings. That was a breakthrough moment — that’s how a separate perfumery boutique at Mokotowska 26 came about, dedicated exclusively to fragrances. It was tiny, only 30 square meters; besides shelves of bottles there was only a beautiful Noguchi sofa, a table by Marcin Kwietowicz, who designed the interior, and a lamp by David Weeks. 

The first Galilu olfactory shop at Mokotowska 26 in Warsaw (ARCHIVE)

This interior amazed the world with a completely different formula; it had little to do with commerce — it was simply a salon. For this concept we received a distinction in the Wallpaper retail directory. We were placed next to the legendary London department store Liberty. We were proud — three quarters of the page was about us, and beneath that a small photo of Liberty. Incredible! At the same time we opened a store dedicated to skincare at Mokotowska 63, which had a completely different convention — a white, somewhat laboratory-like interior.


Galilu at Mokotowska 63 in Warsaw dedicated to skincare (ARCHIVE)

The brands we select must have an appropriate setting, which is why we want our spaces to be aesthetically coherent and refined. Without extravagance, without ostentatious luxury. We make sure it's pleasant, so that nobody feels embarrassed or intimidated, and I think we succeed.

Warynia and I have quite a good eye, an aesthetic sensibility and we know what we like, which is why it is not easy to work with us — we are demanding. When we plan to open a new location, we prepare a very detailed brief based on a collection of inspirations from around the world, while also counting on the designer to bring something of their own. That is how we create the architectural backdrop for meetings — a space that emphasizes the beauty of the products and our DNA. Galilu in Gdańsk is a good example of this: walls in a diluted blue color recall the proximity of the sea. In the middle there is, of course, an island, an important element of each of our shops — like a table around which household members gather. This particular one was designed by Marta Napiórkowska-Łosin from Mana Design, and it was made by a craftsman who for many weeks etched brass plates with various acids, seeking the effect of wet stains. Combined with the mentioned blue of the walls and wooden flooring, wherever we can we will always make wooden floors — we love the softness and warmth of wood; it makes a huge impression.

 Galilu in Gdańsk at Szeroka 15/17

The most important niche perfume brands in the world dictate certain conditions — if you want to carry Diptyque or Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, you must provide them with an appropriate environment in which they can manifest their philosophy.

For many years we preferred architecture with a "generic" display, where there is no division into counters, but everything stands on the same shelves. A change of approach proved necessary — in the enlarged boutique at Mokotowska 26, designed by Magda Radałowicz-Zadrzyńska of ACV Interiors and Maria Thiel-Roman, we used dedicated brand counters for the first time.

 Galilu olfactory at Mokotowska 26 in Warsaw

Repetition of interiors is a convenience when you plan to expand a network of stores. We already have a developed system — Katarzyna Baumiller helped us with this; she designed the boutiques in Elektrownia Powiśle, at Mokotowska 63 in Warsaw, and in Kraków. However, we are still looking for new solutions because we do not want to bore ourselves or our customers. New locations will certainly influence decisions regarding decor. What will never change is the quality of materials used — it is the clasp for all our timeless interiors.

 Galilu in Elektrownia Powiśle in Warsaw