Unconditional design does not exist – this is an unwritten law of the design world. Despite creative freedom, which is necessary to attain success in this field, main power of a designer consists in individuality and own style. Despite this, there are rules that set minimal, but, anyway, restrictions on expression of free visions. These so-called restrictions have shaped epochs and imprinted their names in the history (Baroque, Classics, Rococo, Renaissance, Roman…) and these very epochs determine the future tendencies.
In terms of architectural-decorative aspects of design, the 2016 tendency implied a slight mixture of modern and traditional styles – neutral colors, geometric decorations. In this respect the year of 2017 also repeats the same tendencies, but this year the more accent is made on such natural components as stone, wood, bamboo, velvet….To a certain degree, effects of unprocessed materials and maximal simplicity are also used.
Mariam Kamkamidze, architect-designer of Tbilisi Business Hub, graduate of Paris Academy of Art, talks about the 2017 tendencies in interior design and her own art.
-Let's start with the 2017 fashion tendencies. What kind of innovations are recorded in interior architecture and design?
-Let's begin with this: the Sun is a necessary element for a human being, as it enhances the feeling of comfort and happiness. Therefore, the sun occupies special place in interior design. In this respect, the year of 2017 could not be an exception – big windows, from where the Sun penetrates apartments, is one of the tendencies of 2017. You should let the Sun maximally fill your house and you will never lack for warm and cozy environment. At the same time, severe, masculine elements are characteristic to this year, for example, such as iron, glass, stained glass with black frames, geometric details and so on.
It should be also noted that the office of Tbilisi Business Hub is my newest project and it entirely reflects the 2017 tendencies – severe, but maximally simple style, where colors stress the mission of the office and strengthen public trust in it. We made accents on these aspects when working on this project. These details also reflect the attitude of employees towards their duties and this attitude is expressed in specially selected decorations and green format, which represents an inseparable part of the joint design. I would like to note that each detail is assessed and chosen in advance.
In the context of the 2017 general tendencies, we should note one fact. The modern design has acquired many elements of Japanese style that fits the taste of modern individuals very well.
In general, natural materials are very relevant in 2017 – stone, wood, clay, bamboo ...However, triumphal return of marble to the interior design world requires special attention. In general, marble is an eternal texture that never leaves architectural field and remains in fashion every time. However, sometimes, it is replaced by other materials, but in the course of time its fascination erupts again with full energy and stresses its role in interior design industry.
The current tendencies enable us to use marble in everywhere, in reception rooms, halls, kitchens, bathrooms. It is acceptable in both classical and modern directions and creates its own characteristic and special atmosphere in design. However, despite we can replace floor tiles by marble on walls, correct selection of marble disposition is of crucial importance so as the given space do not look like Sarcophagus.
We should also carefully select the marble texture. This year the elements of unprocessed material is a dominating tendency in any natural material, as well as in case of marble. Marble surface covered by natural lines and ornamental spots will more beautify your interior.
- Every person gas different taste. Your profession implies that all these tastes should be shared and taken into account, while you should also maintain your own style. How do you manage to cope with this task?
-Naturally, all of us have their own visions for more comfort and coziness. There are people, who have established attitude to fashion tendencies and they precisely know what they want, but in the working process we also meet undetermined people, who remain in search process not knowing what to expect from us. In this case, the working process goes harder, but it is also more interesting, at the same time. In this case a designer makes new findings jointly with a client and designer's art is developed before our eyes.
Paris Academy of Art has developed a special attitude in this respect. In the working process much time is spent on studying the customer's psychology. They think that a professional designer should comprehensively grasp the clients' desire and add harmonize all elements to the client's needs. This academy has taught me to determine what a client wants, who has decided to apply to my knowledge and potential. I talk with them about everything in the working process, except for architecture, ask questions that have nothing common with my profession and, in the end, I determine what they expect from me.
And then I adapt their taste to modern tendencies and combine all elements in a joint frame under my own style. It may be difficult to imagine this, but this is my profession – creating individual design for everybody to meet their individual needs and at the same time, maintain my own style and characteristics.
I would like to say that the French school influences my works, despite the working place. Maybe, this happens, because I adore this school, but in France, like a major part of emigrants, I had more patriotic sentiments and frequently I added Georgian elements into personal space of French clients. For example, when we were arranging an interior with wood, we used details of Georgian ornaments and French clients liked this very much.
-You have rich experience of cooperating with French companies. At this stage, you work in Georgia. What is the difference between Georgian and French clients, what are their peculiarities?
-First of all, I would like to note what common aspects hey have. All of them are pretentious and they demand for maximum effect, even impossible. Naturally, I joke in this case. As to reality, I would not say the demand of French and Georgian customers differ from each other much. There were times, when Asian style was dominating in Georgia. Later it was replaced by English tendencies and so on. However, today the taste of a modern individual fits an acute and harmonious mixture of all tendencies, despite the client is French or Georgian. Even more so, Georgia's Eurointegration process is expressed in this way too.
Initially, in Georgia I lacked for working process in itself. A major part of French clients follow the principle «Key in Hands». This principle is applied to all stages - interior renovation or «black frames». Initially, we used to examine the facility and then pass all required and obligatory stages, develop a project in 3D visualization format. If clients were approving the project, we were notifying the date for reception of the finished work. The design agreed in the working process was not revised in million times. Maybe, the process was easier, because French clients always had time shortage. At the same time, the fact signifies that they have much confidence in professionals. They believe that excessive interference makes them lose more time and complicate the working process more.
Today the situation is changing in Georgia too. Georgian clients show confidence in professional designers in our country too. Therefore, house construction or repair works have grown into a pleasant process from boring procedures. The principle «Key in Hand» is acceptable for Georgian customers too. As a result, their expectations are fully justified.
There is one detail too that was giving special pleasure to me in France. Furniture for a building décor, in most cases, was created immediately for a specific project. This factor provides maximal opportunity for free art. All designer, including me, are very happy, when they are able to adjust any detail, including smallest ones, such as chair handrail or table foot, to the common environment and receive, as a result, one wholeness in terms of design.
And the client is content that environment where they spend every day has been created for them only.
-Despite the above-mentioned, I think you would have faced certain obstacles in Georgia anyway?
-Only problem I faced in Georgia is the fact that it was difficult to gather a team of professionals, who would scrupulously implement my design works in reality. Nevertheless, I have managed to shape such a team and I can say that today I have an ideal working atmosphere as a designer. I have a team that is able to implement my any idea.
Initially, it was problematic to find all materials in Georgia that I needed. All required materials do not exist on the market physically, however, we are resolving this problem stage by stage. I have seen companies in Tbilisi, which are ready to import any material to Georgia, if necessary.
When I think in this way, Georgian market equalizes to European standards in this respect and there is no unresolvable problem.
-You have mentioned that this year Japanese elements prevail in interior design. What do you mean?
-I have noted that, according to the 2017 tendencies, it is very popular to arrange houses, gardens, balconies and terraces in Japanese style. In general, Japanese style is very laconic. Many people cannot perceive it. People with philosophical set of mind and purposeful striving for the objective under preliminarily developed plan give preference to Japanese style. Peace and balance is the most important things in this style. The Japanese achieve all these details thanks to minimalism.
In reality, the Japanese design style, which is based on features of this nation, implies a creation of a synthesis, tight connection between house interior and surrounding nature. This style of design is especially attractive for those, who appreciate simplicity and they just do not burden their lives because of the little things of live. They find more comfort, when there is as less barriers between the house interior and exterior as possible. That's why bamboo, wooden ceiling and other exotic materials are used frequently. However, in this case, like marble, much acuteness and professionalism is required to maintain ability of finding a way round and not miss even one excessive detail.
I would like to also note that this element occupies important place in my art. If a customer enables me, I always take into account interior factor when planning a landscape with the aim to integrate everything in one wholeness and balance excessive barriers. In this case, when a wall separates interior and exterior from each other, I associate this wall with a transparent curtain that should be removed to receive a joint and cozy environment.
-Today development industry is in the highest phases of its development in Georgia. Many construction projects are being carried out. What would you suggest Georgian customers in this situation? What factors are more or less important in the decision-making period, prior to inauguration of construction works?
-First of all, prior to developing a final plan, we should assess all opportunities of this disposition – in which direction the more attractive view opens. This is of crucial importance to maintain this disposition for obtaining spiritual peace, determine the sunlight trajectory and so on.
The building planning must fully employ all strong sides of the land. If the location does not enable to make much improvisation for construction works, it is better to organize disposition along the east-west axis. In this case, in the important part of a day the light will fall onto the house from south and you can take into account this issue when planning a disposition of rooms. As a result, room, where you need more light, will be shone by sunlight very well.
You should take into account that modern lifestyle has brought new standards in interior design. Space has become one of the most important aspects of this century. Previously, preference was given to isolated small spaces, while current tendencies give preference to open space, where the whole family can stay all the day and have free intercommunication.
It is important that all security measures be arranged in advance, including in the process of installation of balcony and attained glasses. In the period of starting construction process, the space may be designed for only amateur people, but this does not signify that joy of children will not replenish the surroundings. Therefore, this factor makes it necessary to preliminarily determine safety measures.
You should pay attention to the coloring for interior and any other detail that should correspond to the taste of clients and fit the existing environment and create a joint harmonious picture.
And finally, every person strives for independence and this is the best way for personal development. However, sometimes the situation arises, when it is better to refuse even this principle and entrust the business to professionals.
