"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, Antonina Sadurska of the FUGA Architektura Wnętrz talks about her approach to design.
Antonina Sadurska — a native of Warsaw, a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts, majoring in Interior Design. During her studies, she was on scholarship at the Politecnico di Milano, where she explored innovative approaches to interior architecture, surrounded by world-renowned designers. Her persistence in pursuit of her goals comes from swimming training, painstakingly gluing together mock-ups of projects in college, and playing the violin, which requires incredible precision. She is at the place in life, where she wanted to be and is pursuing more dreams, which she is transforming into life goals.
1. For me home is...
A collection of positive emotions — love for loved ones, a sense of security, comfort, intimacy, but also openness. In the physical sense, it is an intuitive space that positively affects the well-being and emotions of the household members every day: from healthy sleep, through functional activities of hygiene, food preparation, rest or play.
2. The key to successful interior design is...
Mutual understanding — on the level of Investor-Architect-Contractor. Regardless of the scale of the project or its purpose (private, public, investment). Mutual respect and trust build a successful interior.
3. I look for inspiration....
I don't look for them — they come to me on their own. It sounds high-flown, but in my daily functioning, whether at home or in public spaces as a user, I absorb good solutions, but also pick up nuances. I pay attention to what could be improved in the functioning of a given place. It could be a different solution for the layout of cabinets in the kitchen, more intuitive than, for example, a traditional trashcan under the sink, or deviating from the accepted norms of distances and adapting them for a specific user. In addition, I keep up to date with trade shows, online portals or interior design showrooms, which provide great opportunities not only for inspiration, but also for material combinations, textures and mood boards. When I'm working on the visual aspect of a project, I love to dive into Pinterest and delve into international interiors.
4. In working with an investor, the most important thing is...
Investors needs to trust and have confidence that they are dealing with professionals in their field. Good communication involving listening and understanding the parties is a derivative of these first qualities.
5. My favorite design style is...
We focus primarily on functionality and attention to detail. I like to smuggle in elements that I believe are timeless, consistent and long-lasting. What I love about my role as an interior designer is that I don't lock myself into just one style, but combine different elements. Eclecticism in the broad sense of the word probably best represents my favorite style, which can be seen in our „fuga” projects.
6. The most valuable item in my home is....
In our home, I value things that identify us. It's the private objects or family heirlooms that represent the fact that this is our home. It's the steel plate from my husband's grandfather's auto repair shop, my grandmother's coffee service, the plaque on the apartment door with my grandparents' name on it, but also my violin, books, photos, toys or my children's furniture, which, even when we're not at home, say a lot about us.
7. The most common mistake made while self-decorating an interior is...
Inconsistency, lack of soul, poor quality materials, non-functionality. Such mistakes catch my eye and in such interiors I do not feel good.
8. My favorite material is...
Natural materials, in any form.
9. Trend that I wish would pass away already is....
There are times when the inspirations that clients come to us with are in the category of trends that, from our perspective, have already passed, but the client delights and feels a breath of fresh air in them. We know the trends that are yet to come, and if we see potential in them, we are happy to use them in projects. If a developer comes in with a trend that I feel is a thing of the past, I examine what is behind the predilection — color, texture, combination of materials, or shape. Trends perception is subjective. Some people feel comfortable with what has gone before, others are in love with the new. I, for one, don't like to go to extremes, so I look for an exaggeration in it and to match the investor's temperament.
10. Someday I would like to live in....
I am fortunate that I currently live in such a place — in Warsaw, in Lower Mokotów district. It is possible that this will evolve as we get older and so do our children. Maybe it will be a house with a garden, in a village or a city, or maybe another region of the world... We will see what our future needs will be. I intend to make such dreams come true.
On the other hand, I have such a recurring dream. I wake up sleepy, happy, fulfilled. In a big bed with bright, soft sheets. In a bedroom filled with the soft rays of the rising sun. With the big glass windows open in front of the bed and the wind coming in to set the light linen curtains in motion. All this accompanied by ocean waves and a view of the boundlessness of water and waves. Is this the dream of a vacation or living in a house by the ocean? I know that when I find myself in this place, I will know the answer to that question.
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