"10 Questions to an Interior Designer" is a series of short talks inspired by the series "10 Questions to...". This time our attention is turned to interior architects. In today's episode, Agnieszka Balicka talks about her approach to design .
Agnieszka Balicka - chief architect of the Balicka Design studio. What she values most in her life is quality, style and personalization. She creates unique interiors with character, which are a mixture of classic, loft, boho, hamptons or Scandinavian style. For those most artistic souls, she is able to discover her other, surprising side in design. Co-creator of the Życiowe Metamorfozy project.
1. For me home is...
One of the most important places. Here I will surprise you a little, because for me home is not associated with a specific place, but with my family and the people I surround myself with. For many years, my husband and I rented apartments and changed them like shoes, depending on what our needs were at the time. I called each of these places home. Of course, it's worth noting that as an architect, I wasn't content with the first better rental unit. It had to meet my list of aesthetic and functional requirements, which was not that easy. When I found a space where I could build an atmosphere conducive to our lifestyle, our home was formed.
I often hear the question, how do I envision my future home? What do I want it to be like? Will it be a modern building or an apartment in the middle of the city? I always answer that it depends on which part of the world it will be located in. For me, a property, both from the outside and inside, must be connected to the surrounding space to form a common, cohesive whole. So I am open to what the future holds for me...What I know for sure is that the interior will have my unique character no matter where it is located.
2. The key to a successful interior design is....
Understanding, trust and listening. When creating an interior design, a stylistic understanding between the client and the architect is essential. So that the understanding of aesthetics and proposed solutions is natural, unforced, and does not require more explanation or assurances that a proposal will meet the client's expectations. When getting a tattoo, we choose a studio that offers a style of work that suits us, and then we don't worry about the result, because from the very beginning we know that we are under the care of an artist who has the same aesthetics as we do. It is identical with an interior designer.
In any profession, mutual trust is the key to success. On the other hand, listening to our clients' needs, both functional and aesthetic, is an essential element for me. This allows me, to exactly match their expectations, while maintaining my "Balicka" style.
3. I look for inspiration in...
Everywhere. Sometimes I'll see a gorgeous photo and something in it will inspire me. Sometimes I'll visit a boutique and notice a cool piece of designed furniture. And sometimes I meet a client for the first time, listen about his needs and see a spark in his eye when he talks about his interior design dreams, and this drives me to act, and build the whole interior concept.
4 In cooperation with the investor, the most important thing is....
Exactly the same as when creating a successful project: understanding, trust and listening. Interior designs are not art for art's sake, they serve specific people, so understanding their needs is key.
5. My favorite design style is....
My own. I very much dislike being pigeonholed. My designs are very eclectic and tailored to the space I am designing in and the client's requirements. My style includes both classic and minimalist elements. Rustic, wabi sabi, Scandinavian and English style. All enclosed in warm and muted colors.
6. the most valuable object in my home is....
I don't have one.
7. The most common mistake made when decorating interiors yourself is....
Not asking for help from an architect. Not everyone needs or has a need to do interior design, but with such a large investment of time and money as self-decorating an interior, it is worth expanding your knowledge on the subject. You can arrange a consultation with an architect and discuss those elements that raise the most doubts. There are many blogs on the web that describe the various stages of renovation work and the "surprises" that may appear at the given stages. It is worth looking into them. There are also tools that allow you, for example, to create an overview visualization of the designed space, create a shopping list or a schedule of renovation work. This is also worth thinking about.
8. My favorite material is....
I have several: wood, stone, wallpaper and stucco. If we can also consider lighting as a material, it is a very important element for me, because when creating a composition, I treat it as jewelry of the whole styling.
9. Trend that I would like to see passed already is...
There is no such thing. Trends should be played with and adapted to what we intend to achieve, so there is no need to limit ourselves and close the way to different possibilities.
10. Someday, I would like to live in....
On my list for now is: Paris, London, Spain - here I do not close myself to any region, Venice. A house in Venice is my dream from many years ago. Italy - the area around Lake Como, New York, Los Angeles. I also dream of a house in the mountains in the Zakopane style, a modern house on a lake in the Masuria region and a small house in the woods. The list is still left open and will grow with each new experience I have with new locations.
View more projects by Agnieszka Balicka
