Polski
She loves interiors with a bigle, the kind where something is going on. Her favorite style, on the other hand, is classic. And these two preferences are not at all mutually exclusive. Because, after all, classics never get boring and can be easily changed in any direction. She focuses on style and high quality. And above all, she loves working with people. We talk about the work of an interior designer, passion and challenges with Marzena Miszczyk-Brzozowska from Minterior Design.
How did your professional adventure in interior design begin?
The first studies I finished were not related to design, but since I always wanted to follow a creative path, I successively pursued this plan – in spite of everything. After artistic postgraduate studies, I started doing small interior design projects primarily for friends. And – as it usually happens – if you do something well and with passion, I was very often recommended. However, this was not a full-time job for me. At the same time I was fulfilling myself by designing beautiful printed materials, such as calendars and catalogs. Over time, more and more projects and satisfied clients led me to my own architectural business. Nowadays, I deal exclusively with interiors. I love what I do, I love contact with people, I feel immense satisfaction when I see my finished projects and the satisfaction of clients.
The work of a designer is a constant consensus – between the client’s vision and what the interior designer considers to be the best solutions.
Absolutely so. Every project begins with clients filling out a questionnaire – a client preference sheet I invented. It is very elaborate and takes into account such important details as, for example, hobbies, leisure activities, the volume of the library or specific interior tastes. This allows the project to be maximally personalized, truly tailored. As one of the few design offices, we also have a package with no limit on revisions. This is a rare offer on the market – usually there is a limit of 3-5 amendments. However, I conclude that a visualization done completely by the client is practically impossible – a person who does not deal with interior design on a daily basis will not be able to imagine what technical solutions or construction or finishing materials will harmonize with the chosen aesthetics, what will be comfortable, what will work best on a given square meter or at a given height of the premises.
Design, including imagining the interior, is made very easy today by new technologies.
Yes, and I must admit that they greatly improve not only the design process, but also the cooperation with the client. With advanced visualizations, we are able to show in detail what the interior will look like. We can virtually enter it and move around it, or take panoramic photos. In the interior, you can even see such details as lighting accents and chiaroscuro. This extremely activates the imagination and helps to make the most important decisions about the final appearance of the designed place.
Do you have a favorite interior design style?
I love the classics. It never gets boring, it’s timeless, it’s always current. It can also be gently changed at almost any stage. With nautical accessories, such as white combined with shades of Greek blue, we will get Hampton style. Introducing glamour accessories, in turn, will warm up the interior. An elegant flair will be added by introducing art deco elements. It is also possible to create on the basis of classics a style – by far the favorite of customers – modern classic. It is also dominated by high-quality natural materials and classic forms, combined, for example, with avant-garde shapes, such as lamps, interesting quilting on furniture or headrests, modern graphics and painting.
What do you think defines classic style?
First of all, natural, high-quality materials – wood and stone. Rather, bright interiors and walls complemented with stucco. Classics are also very often a bright kitchen, finished with granite, natural materials used on upholstered furniture, so at least wool or linen. Parquet on the floor laid in a herringbone pattern. This is such a necessary, base elements of the classic style.
But it’s not necessarily minimalism, is it?
We definitely don’t. Although each person employed in our office has his or her own style, we usually stick to designs that are expressive and full of character. This type of feature is a kind of credo of our studio. I like interiors where there is a lot going on. However, we have a few projects that we have completed and that are presented on our studio’s website, which can be described as minimalist. These were mostly interiors for rent.
What are the biggest challenges when designing interiors and how do you deal with them?
The process of completing interiors is long and complex. Very often we do turnkey interiors – we also have such a service. Everything starts with getting along with the project. Budgeting and shopping are next. Then we finish the interior with a renovation team, and finally our carpenter comes in. There are plenty of challenges with this type of project. First, the interior must meet the client’s expectations, but the project must also be closed within the planned budget. My clients value the highest quality – and that quality costs money. Maintaining it with a specific budget is often the biggest challenge during implementation. The second thing is the deadlines of good construction companies. And this is where the expectations of completion time also come into play. However, I have to say that with the projects we do, I have no problems with this element. Everything is thought out very carefully, so if we take on a job, we try very hard to close on time. We also work with companies that have a lot of experience in the market, ones that have no problem doing more complicated projects.
But there are certainly times when you have to wait, for example, for unique items….
Not often, but it does indeed happen. Recently, one company released a faucet that has a coffee brewing function. And one of our customers requested such a solution in his apartment. However, you have to wait about six months for such a novelty. And it is a challenge to at least estimate the approximate cost of purchase and installation, as well as the delivery date. The novelties enrich the project greatly, but unfortunately you have to wait for them, which prolongs the renovation.
What kind of interiors do you like to design the most?
In our studio we design both small 30-square-meter studios, and large apartments of about 300 square meters. The easiest thing to do is to design an interior of about a hundred meters. A small interior is sometimes much more difficult due to the need for ergonomics of such an interior. But these more difficult projects give great satisfaction when completed. With such projects we think a little out of the box. For example, we introduce multifunctional furniture, such as a bed that folds into the wall, combined with a desk, or interestingly folding tables. First of all, we have to know that these types of products are on the market, and besides, we have to draw out the design so that everything fits, according to the client’s wishes. Such projects are demanding, but through at least such challenges we can learn a lot. As a result, the quality of my services is getting better and better.
It’s the vacations, so finally a truly vacation question. Do you bring back inspiration from your travels?
I go out a lot and always carefully observe the beautiful places around me. I also choose to visit places where there is an abundance of beautiful, unique architecture. I try both from private and business trips to bring back something that will enrich our portfolio, open new perspectives. Even during ordinary vacations I plan to visit showrooms. But this is absolutely no sacrifice, because I just really enjoy it! And I share my new discoveries on our social media, which is always met with a warm reception. Because our customers also love beauty.
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