"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 designers. In today's episode, Kamila Palmowska talks about her approach to design.
Kamila Palmowska - graduated from History of Art and the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź with a degree in Interior Design and Exhibition. From 2020 to 2022 she co-founded the design studio MORR. Currently, she runs an original interior design studio. She executes each project with great attention to detail, boldly combining different fields of art. Inherent in her arrangements are vintage-style objects juxtaposed in an unobvious way with decorations of contemporary origin. In the designed spaces she also takes into account the individual selection of artworks - paintings, graphics, posters or sculptures. She works with proven carpenters, renovation crews and tradesmen, offering a comprehensive range of services at every stage of the design process. She also creates photo shoots of all her projects.
1. To me a home is...
There are probably as many definitions of home as there are people, but each of them refers to a unique relationship between a person and a space, based on a sense of comfort. For me, home is first and foremost about the emotions associated with a place and only then about the interior, which, filled with the human element, creates a safe place to which one wants to return.
2. The key to a successful interior design is...
Individual approach. Each project is a separate story of different people, so I do not pay attention to passing trends, and carefully listen to the needs and feelings of my investors. Thus, I attach great importance to the details, because they give the interior a personal touch and allow you to feel "at home".
3. I look for inspiration in...
After years of creative work, I have developed a habit of mindfulness. I have noticed that the most interesting inspirations find me when I am not looking for them at all. I have always been inspired by travel - both more distant and local. Human being is in the center of the space I design, so observing the daily lives of people in various corners of cities is an endless source of inspiration for me. Peeping at the decor of local pubs, the dominant color scheme in a given place or even the clothing style of people I meet on the streets (in my opinion, fashion and art have a very strong connection!) inspire me much more than repetitive designs from Pinterest.
4. The most important thing while working with an investor is...
Trust, intuition and the ability to listen to each other. I try to make the spaces I design personalized and reflect the character and lifestyle of the residents as much as possible. So in addition to talking about favorite furnishings or preferred colors, I am interested in the needs, forms of spending time, hobbies, that is, everything that makes up the so-called "lifestyle". Insightful conversations and a desire to get to know the other person, make it possible to create unique interiors that function outside of quickly passing trends.
5. My favorite design style is...
I am actually reluctant to classify so-called styles in interiors. I have the impression that nowadays styles intermingle and it's hard to create an interesting arrangement that only fits into the temporary trends I mentioned earlier. My favorite style is one that allows it to transform and mature with the inhabitants of a given space. However, if I had to choose, the closest to my heart is Mid-Century modern. I love the combination of modern and traditional and the eclecticism characteristic of this style allows for a touch of craziness and playfulness. In addition, many iconic designs of furniture or interior decoration were created precisely in the late 1950s and early 1960s. These are timeless classics that will never go out of fashion. It is the combination of classic solutions with modernity that gives a space a personal touch and timelessness, which I strive for in every project.
So I appreciate all the more the realizations in spaces located in tenements. Then the style of a given interior, in part, is "imposed" by the historical context of the building or surroundings. History often recalls itself through original stucco, plafonds on the ceilings, woodwork or floors. By consciously preserving these elements, I influence the space to connect with its authenticity.
6. The most valuable item in my home is...
We live in a time when, successfully, antique fairs or vintage stores where we can find things with "soul" have become popular again. For me, the most valuable items have always been those that have sentimental value and bring to mind soothing memories of specific events or places I have visited. I have a weakness for ceramic products. My ever-growing collection is a series of vessels with a history, where the boundaries between function and decoration are blurred. These favorite objects accompany me every day, coloring the interior of my kitchen.
7. The most common mistake made when decorating interior by yourself is...
Trying to reconcile all the elements we like. Although the eclectic combination of different styles contributes to the creation of an original interior, it is a difficult procedure that requires a lot of intuition. Therefore, it is worth enlisting the help of an architect, who will make sure that a unique yet cohesive space is created.
8. My favorite material is...
Recently, I have become a huge admirer of natural stone, which, depending on the juxtaposition with other materials, can create a different atmosphere in given arrangements, making it timeless. For a long time now, natural stone has not been associated exclusively with classic-style interiors. Although it has been known in architecture for hundreds of years, it was most valued for its elegance. In modern arrangements it takes on a completely different expression. I extremely appreciate the unpredictability of this material. Each piece has a different pattern and color set. I guess it is this uniqueness that attracts me the most.
9. A trend I wish would pass away already is...
The trend for repetitive, boring, white, laboratory interiors without soul. Let's not be afraid of color and remember to leave some free walls for artwork.
10. Someday I would like to live in...
Somewhere where I will have direct contact with nature. I dream of a Scandinavian wooden cottage with access to a terrace and large windows revealing a picturesque view. In this day and age, where it's hard not to succumb to excess stimuli, the opportunity to have a substitute for slow living, is at a premium!
Want to see projects by Kamila Palmowska? Click HERE
