Elena Talavera


Designer Profile: Elena Talavera, Owner of Elena Talavera Studio

Name: Elena Talavera 

Company: Elena  Talavera Studio

Position within company: Owner

Website:   elenatalavera.com

 

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc) I studied graphic design, when I just finished I opened a good nice store to sell gifts which was a little bit of everything.  I had to buy furniture to exhibit the gifts and everybody began to ask about the furniture in that way I began to visit houses and as a graphic designer I suggest furniture and made the drawings, later got involved in fabrics and rugs. Instead of gifts my shop became an interior design studio with projects ranging from small apartments to vacation homes in the coast and big residences.

How would you describe your personal design style? As an interior designer I consider my style very adaptable to the way of living of the people I work for  , because I always like to take into consideration the architecture and elements like stone, wood, concrete and harmonize;  I use a system of tracing lines (axis) that organize the space where I always try to find balance and symmetry, I am convinced that interior design has to give you peace of mind to contrast with the world outside.

Where does your design inspiration come from? Definitely it comes from the feeling to be surrounded with beautiful things and art that causes us to vibrate high. All objects around us have to unfold good memories, optimism and strength.  I am always looking for that kind of sensation in my spaces. I studied with Kelly Hoppen in London; she was my inspiration at the beginning of my career.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense? I think design is like a boomerang, styles never go away, they keep coming back with the strength of new technology, colours, textures and forms.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2020 and beyond.

Design nowadays is a global theme

Materials always improving

Adaptability

Luxury living always scaling upwards and at the same time,

Connecting with nature elements

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?

I can share one of  my 5 rules for design

“Use the energy of things, like turn on the lights everyday when you eat, fill your vases with flowers, sweet container with sweets, fruit bowls with fruits, turn on the fire pit or chimney, turn on the fountain if you have, light up the candles and you are already decorating without spending money”.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?

Go global

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Share what’s happening in Mexico

What projects are you currently working on?

The Embassy of Qatar, Mexico city

Two houses in the Pacific Coast

Two houses in Pedregal Mexico City

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

Find projects that mean growth and challenge, and finish my third book.

 Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?  My house

Your favourite holiday destination? Los Cabos

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar? The Hotels Oberoi in India and any jazz bar will do.

Your favourite book, film & song? Book: One Hundred years of Solitud by Gabriel Garcìa Marquez, Movie: Gladiator, Song: Fly me to the moon.

Your favourite food and drink? French food and Champagne

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?  Getting together with my friends

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be? An artist maybe painter.

Anything else interesting? I wrote two books that talk about  the emotions that are involved in decorating a house, I believe that further than beauty in a house you have to search for good messages for yourself and family.  Fill spaces with things that carry your energy and way of thinking.  There is a lot to talk about this theme.  One book  is “You are your house” (Tu casa eres tú) the other is “The power of objects” (El poder de los objetos) I would love to have them translated in English and publish them.

Elena Talavera Studio have been shortlisted for Luxury Residence – Global Award in The International Design & Architecture Awards 2020. 

Below is the architect profile of Action Farre, Architect of the project:

Name: Antonio Farré

Company: Farré Arquitectos

Position within company: Founder and Director

Website: www.farrearq.com.mx

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)

Graduated as an architect from the Universidad Iberoamericana, with 30 years of experience has been listed as one of the 10 present and future promises of Mexican architecture by Obras magazine. Antonio Farré has had the opportunity to work in various fields of architecture, he has designed more than eighty restaurants in Mexico City, among which Maralunga, Zeco, Fiesole, Scozzi Bosques, Bellario and Addetto. When it comes to design residential spaces, what he looks to provide a different idea of how to live, creating for his customers a better space to live. He has designed and built more than 250 residences in the most exclusive areas of Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende and Valle de Bravo.

How would you describe your personal design style?

Powerfull, warm and timeless

Where does your design inspiration come from? De donde viene tu inspiración de diseño

My inspiration comes from Mexican architecture and out of my everyday work. I take advantage of the engineering of construction in order to achieve large open entrances of daylight and, most importantly, an architecture not limited by structures.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

To sustainability, green design, architecture surrounded by nature and to a greater balance between landscape and architecture. To create a very powerful design from something very simple, with huge entrances of daylight, as well as working with new materials, new technologies for structures, achieving new and better challenges.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2020 and beyond.

Timelessness, Economy, Sustainability, Identity, Strength

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?

Hire an architect, it will always be the best advice. There will always be people who believe themselves as architects and designers, however in the long run everything costs twice.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?

 It is a very important and internationally recognised event, where design and architecture are celebrated. Over the past years we have realised the impact that participate in this event have for our studio, it has been a way to show our work, the high-quality Mexican architecture, and in this way also get the recognition of the world.

What projects are you currently working on?

We are working in a very important hotel in Mexico City, where some pre-Hispanic pyramids were found, what has created a greater challenge for me as an architect. Also, we are designing various buildings, houses and flats.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

To create good architecture. My goal is within myself, to surpass last year’s Antonio Farré

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations

 Your most treasured possession? My family

Your favourite holiday destination?  New destination

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar? Hotel Boutique in Oaxaca, Lucrecio Restaurant,

Your favourite book, film & song? Cinema paradiso, arquitectura´s books, La donna è mobile,

Your favourite food and drink? Mexican and red wine

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? go for walks in open spaces (nature)

If you weren’t an architect, what would you be? Always knew I wanted to be an architect, can’t see myself as anything else

Anything else interesting? Passion for italian cinema


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