Królik, which means both Rabbit and Little King in Polish, is the young and contemporary Design Tile series from Kaflarnia Karny, one of Central Europe’s oldest tileworks. Renowned for their distinctive glazed relief ceramics and refractory stoves, Kaflarnia Karny is the only tile manufacturer in Poland with a Royal Warrant, their Piece Kaflowe found in Warsaw’s Royal Castle and many historical buildings.
The plucky Rabbit brings a bold new energy to a time-honoured art, daring you to realise your own unique Ceramic Interiors. Envisioned by Creative Director Aleksandra Żeromska and brought to life by Kaflarnia Karny’s master artisans, Królik wall ceramics transform homes and public spaces with their sumptuous colours and ornate surfaces, radiating beauty, opulence and a joyous spirit.
The Beginning, Apprenticeship
at the Tileworks
Further Training
During the war period, Alfons alternated between his apprenticeship at the tile works, developing his craftsmanship, and working at the mill with his father. After the war, Alfons supplied tiles to damaged homes, people would buy them even without glazing, just to have a bit of warmth in their homes.
Expansion
Alfons Karny decides to open his own tile works after the mill is closed and the machinery confiscated by the new regime as a result of the land decree and agrarian reform. Over time, four locations are established
The Second Generation
In 1960, Krzysztof Karny, son of Alfons, begins an apprenticeship at the tile works under Alfons’s guidance. In 1970, Krzysztof and his brother open their own tile works in Księżyno near Białystok. In the meantime, Krzysztof also starts his own horticultural farm, which he runs together with his wife, Krystyna.
Opening of the Tile Works
in Hryniewicze
Generational Continuation
Rafał Karny, son of Krzysztof and the current owner of the tile works, begins working at the tile works.
Reconstruction of the Stove
in Tykocin
Innovations
In 2006, Rafał’s wife, Sylwia, joins the team and introduces product innovations, such as new color schemes.
In 2008 after many years of work, Rafał’s parents hand over the tile works to their son Rafał. Rafał opens the company under the name “Kaflarnia Kafel-Kar”, retaining the word “Kaflarnia,” which is disappearing from the Polish language, to honor family traditions and the fading craft profession.
New collections are created - Secessionist, Classic Round Stove, and Dragonfly Tiles.
Reconstruction of the Stove
at the Royal Castle in Warsaw
- Kubicki Arcades
Reconstruction of Thirteen Tiled Stoves
in the Palace in Rogalin
The reconstruction was based on a design, archival photographs, and several salvaged tiles. The original tiles were preserved and placed after conservation as so-called “witnesses” within the stove bodies. However, only those in the know are able to find them, which speaks to the high quality of the reconstruction work.
Recreation of Historical Ceramic
Elements commissioned by the Museum
of King Jan III Sobieski in Wilanów
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church
in Białowieża
Lamus in Hawłowice Górne
Reconstruction of a tiled Renaissance stove from the first quarter of the 16th century, decorating the interior of the old manor house in Hawłowice Górne (Podkarpackie). This is the only project of its kind in Poland, as the stove is not a replica but a fully functional heating device serving a practical purpose.
The tile works has been recognized multiple times, honoring our
long-standing know-how and craftsmanship at the highest level.
Some of the distinctions include:
2008– PŁOMIEŃ ROKU Award in the category
“Polish Small and Medium Enterprise of the Year”
2010 – PŁOMIEŃ ROKU Award
for the “Termokaust Chamotte Stove”
2016 – PŁOMIEŃ ROKU Award in the EVENT category
for “Reconstruction of Stoves in the Palace in Rogalin”
2016– Audience Award in the competition
organized by the company KRATKI
2016 – Award from the Mayor of Juchnowiec Commune,
“Pierścień Podskarbiego Włoszka”
in the COMPANY category
2016– PŁOMIEŃ ROKU Award in the product of the year category – Design, Style, Aesthetics for the Termokaust Stove in the new Military tile line
2022 – PŁOMIEŃ ROKU Award for Ceramic
Decorative Panels “Ceramic Wall” in the PRODUCT
category – Design, Style, Aesthetics
2023– PŁOMIEŃ ROKU Award for Echo Ceramics
and Loft Ceramic Wall in the PRODUCT category
– Design, Style, Aesthetics
2025 – must have 2025 Award at the Łódź Design Festival
for the Królik brand, featuring the Nowy Eden and Radość collections, designed by Aleksandra Żeromska
and produced by Kaflarnia Karny “Kafel-Kar”
A new chapter for the tile works
It begins with the creation of the Królik brand, under
Królik is connected to history, tradition, heritage, fine quality, and craftsmanship. Our parent brand is Kafel-Kar (which we will sometimes refer to as Kaflarnia Karny for storytelling reasons) which dates back to 1936.
Although we draw on the heritage roots of Kaflarnia Karny, Królik is youthful, modern, artsy, and forward-thinking, and therefore more fashion-focused. Królik is an art brand – the pieces are produced in small batches, by hand. Each collection has a story behind it. Brand made also to provoke thoughts and emotions.
Królik is connected to history, tradition, heritage, fine quality, and craftsmanship. Our parent brand is Kafel-Kar (which we will sometimes refer to as Kaflarnia Karny for storytelling reasons) which dates back to 1936.
At Królik core lies an ability to imagine new, a interior design that wasn’t dreamed of before. We escape the rules, introduce new typology of object, but all is to create a very multi-dimensional product, that thanks to it’s versatility and customisation can fit any interior. We follow our heart.
At Królik core lies an ability to imagine new, a interior design that wasn’t dreamed of before. We escape the rules, introduce new typology of object, but all is to create a very multi-dimensional product, that thanks to it’s versatility and customisation can fit any interior. We follow our heart.
At Królik core lies an ability to imagine new, a interior design that wasn’t dreamed of before. We escape the rules, introduce new typology of object, but all is to create a very multi-dimensional product, that thanks to it’s versatility and customisation can fit any interior. We follow our heart.
Kaflarnia Karny, a renowned manufacturer of “Piece Kaflowe”,traditional Polish tiled stoves – has been operating at its original tileworks in Hryniewicze for almost 100 years. With expertise handed down over generations, we’ve refined unique manufacturing processes.
Today, Rafał and Sylwia Karny keep the family’s rich legacy alive with a commitment to excellence and producing exquisite ceramics with distinctive character.
Królik’s Creative Director Aleksandra Żeromska transforms everyday objects into fantastical creations at her award-winning Art and Design studio. An expert in Design for Craftsmanship, her vivid work and signature style can be seen across the world of luxury
Królik, which means both rabbit and little king in Polish, is the youngest brand of Kaflarnia Karny: one of Central Europe’s oldest manufacturers of hand-glazed refractory tiles. The only tile producer in Poland with a Royal Warrant, our master craftsmen have made stoves for the Royal Castle in Warsaw and other historical buildings.
“Design that stimulates the imagination, and traditional craftsmanship of the highest standard. Królik is a new brand that offers something more than traditional tiles. ”
“Each tile from the Królik collection is handmade, moulded, glazed and fired in small batches, ensuring uniqueness and high quality.”
“Królik products are designed for those who are looking for something truly unique. Tiles and wall accents encourage personal expression, fulfilling artistic visions and creating interiors that exist nowhere else.”
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© Królik | Kaflarnia Kafel-Kar Rafał Karny, Hryniewicze 3b, 15-378 Białystok | NIP: 9661341458, REGON: 200212517
