by Hristina Bobokova
Photography Diana Lapin and Minko Minev
The symbiosis between art and interior brings personality, message, gives character, sophistication and completion of the place. But sometimes achieving it is a long and complex process. The art historian Hristina Bobokova is looking for two perspectives on the topic, talking to two distinguished professionals - interior designer Irina Vladi and the artist Gredi Assa.
IRINA VLADI is one of the most familiar faces associated with interior design in London. In 2016, she joined the boutique studio 1508, which became a global brand in just five years with her participation. Irina is the basis of large-scale projects such as Mandarin Oriental Residences in Beverly Hills, Four Seasons Hotels, Orient Express Hotel, Park Hyatt Residences in London. Last year, he accepted the challenge of Taylor Howes Studio to change the vision of the company as its design director. At the beginning of 2023, Taylor Howes will present itself with a new style and thus the ultra-luxury design studio will welcome its 30th anniversary. Irina's projects have been in major rankings - 100 LuxDeco Top Designers, 50 Finest UK Designers, 100 House & Garden magazine Designers. At the beginning of 2023, she will open her own studio in Sofia.
Creating interiors is something like a trip or experience that is not limited and never ends. I only put the basic elements, and then it can be upgraded a lot. Namely, the works of art bring the most close to the sense of completion. Maybe because they are too personal and show parts of the character of the person who lives there.
There is something so special about getting into a house with a lot of art for the first time. And not to be interested in art, paintings have history and affect. The colors alone affect, even when it comes to monochrome. This moment of meeting the fairytale, closed in one canvas, is a summary and always changes our sensations. The art in the interior is the biggest sign of luxury because it is not an absolute necessity, it has no function of use such as a chair or mirror, but it creates that overlay of elements that distinguish special places. I remember when at the age of 15 I entered the home of August born in Paris. It was my first encounter with the power of interaction of interior and art. I had no idea what I was facing, but I was already sure that I wanted to be part of this exceptional world.
Other projects are for people who already have their own collection, and then my job is to logically put the works in space. The third type of projects are those that are made as an investment over time, and then I work with art consultants. Usually these are Visto Art in Paris, which have a huge portfolio of projects and contacts with thousands of artists. This is a long process because each work is approved by a client and several consultants who determine whether it makes sense to become part of the collection.
Mostly with compromises and logic ... Everyone imagines something in a different way and what the clients would choose does not necessarily have to do with the vision I am trying to create. That is why I always spend months for the Art and Accessories package so that we can adapt to new ideas on both sides. My work is largely related to knowledge and prediction of characters and attitudes. One of the problems to design is that you become so sensitive that people can no longer surprise you. That's why I love a lot when we get to the art part. There is no logic there and the tastes are inexplicable.
Very often I send a photo of a work that I like as a guide to several London artists who do only custom work. This moment is very interesting because I never know how they will interpret the work. I usually only get information about the materials they will use, and until the finish I have no idea what it will look like. Last year, while designing Mandarin Oriental's residences in Los Angeles, we had a huge order for over 25 paintings with Carl from Paynes Gray London. Each of them was on a different basis and of different sizes. It turned out great despite the stress of not knowing what I will show to the client until the last moment.
I started doing it in February this year for an iconic pair of the fashion business. The concept immediately turned around the fashion industry, and most of the works I bet was my favorite portrait photographer Patrick Demarshaly. You can imagine how dramatic it was when he left in March and all his photos became almost inaccessible. I am currently auctioned for several of his limited portraits - Christie Turlington with a white hair rose and many old footage from a Dior review. Some of the main furniture is also made by artists. There are two console tables in the living room, entirely made of Muran glass and hand-painted in London with gold-silver solution. On the door of the Eglomise glass beverage cabinet is depicted in a dark green. There is a very strong sense of nostalgia for the past and memories of travel throughout the interior.
Unlike the UK, in Bulgaria the art is much more accessible. If we have to choose works with a client in London, I will need to make preliminary arrangements for an hour with the galleries, answer many questions about the project. In our country, people have a much easier and more direct touch to art and I think they buy more as a ratio. Naturally, when it comes to large and complete interior projects with art collections, I have not seen such in our country. I think that here are rarely made art tours towards the end of the project, which can take the designer and the client to anywhere in the world. This will surely be the next step in interior design in Bulgaria.
When made according to rules that withstand time, it recreates a successful sense of place and brings style and coziness. Style is the most specific criterion of good interior. What distinguishes special interiors is a good style in combination with a unique identity. There is some unwritten formula of the ratio between simplicity and overlay of elements that always distinguish interiors with impact. If I knew it, I would be the most successful Tastemaker in the world, but instead I start looking for it with every new project.
“I think it's rare here to do art search tours toward the end of a project that can take the designer and the client anywhere in the world. This will certainly be the next step in interior design in our country."