Name: Cristina Jorge de Carvalho
Company: Cristina Jorge de Carvalho Interior Design
Position within company: Founder and Creative Director
Website: www.cjc-interiordesign.com
. Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
I have a degree in Business Administration from ISCTE and I have worked in that field for several years. But my everlasting passion for architecture and design led me to change paths and decide to change my life. I moved to London and took an Interior Design degree at Inchbald School of Design, it was the best decision of my life. In 2000, back in Lisbon, I founded my atelier, Cristina Jorge de Carvalho Interior Design, where I have been developing commissioned architecture, interior architecture and interior design projects for residential and commercial spaces with my team. In 2014, I launched my furniture collection, which was a natural step in my career, since I’ve been designing bespoke pieces for my interior design projects since the beginning.
. How would you describe your personal interior design style?
My aesthetic can be described as contemporary, timeless, elegant and understated.
. Where does your design inspiration come from?
Life is a constant stream of inspiration. Everything we see can be a source of inspiration – from a work of art, to a movie, the beauty of a photograph, the worn floor of an antique store, a yellow leave on the ground, a music that transports us to another hemisphere… – everything can be inspirational. I can’t really precise what inspires me, but I believe that ultimately all I see in my travels, all that I have lived, my background… All of these influence me in a subtle way.
. In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
I think that, more than ever, quality is a key word in the design industry. In a world that moves so fast, I think we are all striving for durability and stability, and that reflects in the design universe as well, being it a furniture piece, a dress or a decorative object… On the other hand, and thinking about product design and furniture design specifically, I think we are witnessing a growing fusion between art and design which forces the boundaries of creativity, while maintaining the function of the object still in mind and at the centre of design. I think this is a very interesting movement which will continue to expand in the next few years.

. Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2015 and beyond.
Quality; Luxury; Bespoke; Art meets Function; Innovation
. If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to product design, what would it be?
Be true to yourself, your vision and your aesthetic.
. How important are The International Product Design Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
The recognition by The International Product Design Awards is one more step toward the consolidation and growth of my furniture collection and so, it represents an important moment in my career.
. What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on several interior architecture and interior design projects, while also developing a new line to add to my furniture collection later this year.
. What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
To continue to work and expand my atelier and furniture collection.
. Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself
Your most treasured possession? My freedom.
Your favourite holiday destination? A beach, always!
Your favourite hotel / restaurant / bar? There is always a new one that I want to visit, but for now my favourite hotel is the Upper House in Hong Kong; favourite restaurant Matsuhisa in L.A. and favourite bar the Chiltern Firehouse in London.
Your favourite book / film / song?
My bedside table book is “The Power of Now”, since we tend to forget that life is today. I’m a romantic… I do love “Out of Africa”, I’ve seen it several times. Favourite music “Don’t stop till you get enough” by Michael Jackson, perfect disco sound.
Your favourite food and drink?
Curry and champagne!
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? (in no more than 25 words)
Searching for pieces for my interior design projects, followed by tea and a movie with my children and ending the day having a drink with some friends.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?

An architect or a fashion designer.