"10 Questions to an Interior Designer" is a series of short conversations inspired by the "10 Questions to..."series.In today's episode , Renata Michalowicz, founder of mJoy studio , shares her perspective on design.
Renata Michalowicz began her adventure in interiors with renovations. She managed construction crews, carpenters and other professionals, renovating dilapidated, often forgotten apartments and bringing them back to new life. In 2017, she founded her own design studio, mJoy. Although she does not attach herself to one style, her designs are always characterized by functionality and thoughtful solutions. On a daily basis, she draws on the experience gained from numerous renovations. As a result, she reaches for proven materials and designs interiors taking into account real feasibility. Her approach is best reflected in the words: design based on practice and usability.
1 For me, a home is energy... .
Which is created by the people living in it.
2.The key to successful interior design is....
Empathic approach to clients and understanding their needs. It all starts with a conversation - about how they like to spend time at home, what dreams they have, what things they like. In the course of such conversations, some coherent idea of the future house is developed.
3 I look for inspiration....
In clients :) and the conversations I have with them. People do not realize how inspiring they are and how important it is for an architect to empathize with the interviewee. Of course, clients very often show pictures of what they like, but for me the main source of inspiration is themselves.
4 In cooperation with the investor the most important thing is....
Mutual understanding, trust and calmness.
5. my favorite design style is...
There is no such thing. I like people, life, the world and the beautiful thing is that everyone is different and that everyone wants to live and live differently.
6. the most important object in my home is....
It's not an object - it's the garden, or more precisely, the feelings that are born in this place. I feel peace, ease, lack of restraint, I have greenery, which I love. The garden is pretty, full of shrubs, and we enjoy spending time in it with the whole family. We eat breakfast and lunch together here, drink afternoon coffee here, watch our son play - we love to celebrate everyday life this way.
7 The most common mistake in self-decorating is.
Buying "because I like it," that is, choosing things that look good in the store. Later it turns out that these purchases were ill-considered - the table does not quite fit in the dining room, and the sofa does not fit in the living room. In large furniture stores everything looks different. It takes a lot of imagination to "see" the furniture from the display at home.
8. my favorite material is... .
I don't have one. It's a bit like asking me which color I like best. Basically, each one is beautiful, and also important is their combination and the environment that makes something look nice or not. It is known that intense colors, such as those found in marine fish, are wonderful On fish. But they would be unthinkable in a living room. And it's the same with materials. because wood, including old wood, is beautiful, stones too. Clay plaster or Mexican tiles also have their charm. All materials have their advantages and disadvantages. An important part of the work of designer is the selection of these materials to the project itself, the personality of the client, her needs and the financial possibilities available to her.
9 A trend that I would like to see pass already is.
White cabinets and a wooden countertop and wood-like tiles in the bathroom (laughs).
10. I would like to live in.. . someday.
A country house on a cliff by the sea, a farmhouse, a forest, a post-factory urban loft, Spain and Italy, a high-rise with a city skyline and probably many more places. I'm considering living in different countries and designing interiors in the region I currently live in.
Check out other conversations in the series 10 Questions to Ask an Interior Designer
