"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, Barbara Steciak talks about her approach to design.
Barbara Steciak - designer and owner of VIVA DESIGN studio, which she has been running for over 15 years. Together with her team, she creates designs for luxury private and commercial interiors, including offices. In her work she values conversation with the client, which she sees as the key to success in designing interiors tailored to the needs of investors. Privately, she is a lover of art, which always have to be a part of her projects.
1. For me, home is...
Shelter. A place to recharge my inner battery, gathering strength for action.
2. The key to a successful interior design is...
Understanding the client's needs. The spoken ones, but also those that they are yet to realize. For me, the basis in cooperation is a conversation, from the first meeting.
3. I look for inspiration in...
First in conversation with the client, he is my inspiration.... How he lives, what he likes, how he spends his free time, relaxes, what passions, hobbies he has. Inspiration can be a detail, an object, a landscape. The role of the architect is to interpret them properly. I once had the pleasure of designing an interior that came from the combination of the dreams of two people. The client had a vision of modernity. The space that inspired him was Fuerteventura with its island vibe, colors and materials. His wife, on the other hand, dreamed of a French style with the character of Montmartre. It was quite a challenge for me and my team, but the final result was an extremely cohesive and bold interior. Perfect for this couple.
4. In working with an investor the most important thing is...
Understanding, trust and conversation.
5. My favorite design style is...
Contemporary French style, eclecticism and a combination of old and modern. I love the atmosphere of townhouses with all their past. At the same time I appreciate modernity, design, artistic freedom, decadence, nonchalance, sophistication, nobility of materials. All this is what the French style gives me.
6. The most valuable object in my home is...
Maybe not an object, but my home is where my family is. They are absolutely the most precious to me.
7. The most common mistake made by people who decorate their apartment on their own is...
Lack of spatial thinking and scaling of the interior, as well as the inability to choose colors for the entire interior space. I believe that the profession of architect or interior designer is misperceived by clients. We are not just in the business of selecting pillows, but behind us is all the technical knowledge, years of experience and completed projects, knowledge of solutions and products. There are situations when someone decides to do interior design on their own, claiming that it will be less expensive. Sometimes this is only an apparent saving.
8. My favorite material is...
Wood and stone. I love natural and noble materials.
9. A trend that I would like to see pass away already is...
Scandinavian style with shades of gray, white and light oak wood.
10. Someday, I would like to live in...
Florence. This city captivated me a long time ago and somehow attracts me through the artists who were associated with it. Art is my passion and I cannot imagine interiors without it. In Florence you can come across it at every turn. Moreover, Florence is in Tuscany and I can't forget those hills with cypresses, the smell of wine, roses, orange blossoms.
Check out other conversations in the series 10 questions to an interior designer
