"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 Musiał-Chmielnik of Musiał Studio talks about her approach to design .
Agnieszka Musiał-Chmielnik - interior designer, Master of Arts, since 2016 owner of the interior design studio Musiał Studio. Graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow and the Academy of Fine Arts in Wroclaw in the field of interior design. In 2017 she stood in front of the camera for the first time. Associated successively with the programs: "Wyremontowani", "Usterka", " Mieszkanie na miarę" and TTV, HGTV, TVN Style. She runs her own YouTube channel "4 Walls with Agnieszka Musial", is a Geberit brand ambassador, contributes to social media.
1 Home for me is...
In short, my family, meaning my husband and daughter. Expanding on the theme, it's also my space where I feel comfortable and at ease, where I want to return. It's my four walls that are a refuge, a place to build a mass of memories. It's an interior that I enjoy and that evolves with me, my family and our history. It's an interior that allows for these changes.
2 The key to a successful interior design is.
Listening to the needs of the investor and a good idea of the designer. This is a perfect combination. It is hard to clearly delineate this key. Interior design is a conversation, communication and often a compromise between how the Investor sees the space and how the designer sees it. For me, a good design means fulfilling both sides. It's an interior that meets expectations and all functions, and at the same time exposes well-chosen, harmonious materials. Referring to an earlier statement, it's also a design that allows you to evolve in terms of arrangement and decoration over the years. On the other hand, it's a complete design that doesn't need decor to complement it.
3 I look for inspiration....
All around. In conversations, industry-related places, during events and presentations. While traveling, visiting a museum or going out for coffee at an interesting cafe. Inspiration is everywhere, and I like to draw it from different fields of art, which, after all, intermingle.
4 In cooperation with an investor, the most important thing is....
Somewhat duplicating a statement from one of the earlier questions - communication, but also trust. The investor, deciding to work with me, participates in the project process, expressing his needs and expectations. However, it is very important that he trusts my experience and suggestions. A project is always a compromise. The client makes the final decision, but I always say what I think. I believe that honesty is also an important part of cooperation. The client should feel that we are striving for the best possible version of his space.
5 My favorite design style is.
I don't have one favorite direction. I design in many. I feel good in both modern and minimalist spaces, with simple forms and muted colors, but I also love colors, unobvious combinations, a multitude of forms and structures. The stylistic diversity is why I still really enjoy what I do. It allows me to express myself in different directions, explore a wide range of manufacturers and get acquainted with many materials.
If I had to list favorite styles, it would be extreme aesthetics: inspired by the Bauhaus style, the Memphis trend, vintage modern, but also minimalist.
6. the most important object in my home is....
It will probably not be obvious, but I will answer that the kitchen island. A cabinet that is open to the living area. The layout in the annex/living room area strongly deviates from the original proposal. When designing the current state, I was very keen to create an annex that does not resemble a "standard" kitchen. The island is connected to the chimney, which I could not move. However, throwing out as many walls as possible, I created a zone where the island already "enters" the living area and is located in front of the bookcase. It may sound chaotic, but it really is a great place in our interior.
7 The most common mistake in interior design on its own is....
Chaos and too rich an array of inspirations that are all crammed into one interior. I still observe that defining one's style is not easy. This does not surprise me. When designing interiors themselves, clients unfortunately lose control over stylistic consistency, but also budget and functionality. All these elements are very important and influence each other. If we dream of a big round table and squeeze it into a 25 sq m living area, we can't count on the annex being substantial. That's why it's insanely important to have a good plan, narrow down your "dreams" and be consistent. In the maze of inspirations and materials available on the market, working with a designer helps a lot, because you don't have to focus on "everything". By specifying their needs, the client gets condensed suggestions from me for the space.
8 My favorite material is.
Wood. In any form. Obviously floors, furniture in solid wood or natural veneer. I love the fact that we can smuggle nature into an interior. This is what we all aspire to. We want to live "under the city" to be close to nature, to have gardens, forests and lakes nearby or parks in the city. Wood is a material that provides a certain base in the interior, it always defends itself. On the other hand, it is also a great accent in interiors or even decoration. By choosing a dynamic grain or a non-obvious finishing stain, not to mention different types of wood, we can create total wonders.
If I may, I will add one more material that I really like! It is microcement - great, malleable, durable and gives a lot of possibilities in the interior! We can use it on floors, walls, furniture. In a variety of colors and a slightly different texture. This is also a material that I really like to use!
9. trend that I would like to see pass already is....
High-gloss furniture - fortunately, this is already passing. Gold, especially in chrome. Velours. Here, too, manufacturers are already presenting a mass of beautiful fabrics, more natural, delicate plaids, etc., so on - less flash.
10 I would like, someday, to live in....
This is probably the most difficult of the ten questions. So I will answer again ambiguously. I would love to move to several places for a while to try living in different climates and interiors. One would be an elegant palace with stylized furniture and a beautiful garden. Another type would be a house in a mountain village high in the Alps. Another, a beautiful townhouse, such as one in Paris with a painting studio. Finally, the last Type. Would be an exotic villa, e.g. in the Seychelles.
Check out other conversations in the series 10 questions to an interior designer
