Name: Alexandrine Lukach 

Company: Intemporary Design Studio

Website:   http://www.intemporary.com

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

I came to design from medicine. My first education – eye microsurgery. I practised, worked, and then life circumstances developed so that, feeling a creative vocation, I received my second higher education at the Academy of Arts. And I’ve been working with interior design for over 15 years.

How would you describe your personal design style?

At the outset of my career, there was a powerful request for creating a classic interior. What I am burning with today and what interests me now is a modern interpretation of the classic interior, when artistic spaces are created with a lot of designer furniture, collectibles and vintage. The spirit of creativity and talented personalities prevail here. Each object and detail of such an interior contains a deep concept, a noble idea and respect for the world. For me, the visual component of the interior has the same importance as its strong individualization. Everything that surrounds the person, my customer, should create great living comfort and a sense of security at all levels, as well as give an impulse for internal development and inspiration.

Where does your design inspiration come from?

I have many sources of inspiration. Firstly, I’ve always been interested in the work of my fellow contemporaries. But I also regularly study and revise the works of iconic designers who have created at all times. Secondly, museums of contemporary art and exhibitions, where you can communicate with art objects and their creators – it’s always a powerful charge of drive and the pattern interrupt for me. Thirdly, – of course, nature itself and the history of architecture – I like quarters of old cities and historical interiors, where you can draw inspiration, observe, and get an impulse for rethinking modernity.

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

It seems to me that in the future people will have at least two types of housing relations. The first one is for those who choose co-living or co-housing. Such interiors should be very functional and comfortable for a large number of different people. There will be a minimum set of items for basic needs. The second type is for the people who choose to own their interior – they want to fill the space with themselves and want everything around to be done individually for them and emphasize the personality of the owner. In general, we are on the verge of global changes. Even the past six months gave us absolutely new experience – the lockdown, self-isolation and remote work. As a result, we’ve realized what exactly we need at home. Already now, we can definitely say that interior restyling will get a growing popularity – the use of decoration techniques that enable to quickly change the atmosphere of the space without excessive efforts – rebuilding or re-designing of the house. The second life of objects and an environmentally friendly approach to production is the main trend.

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

I see these 5 trends:

Individual. The interior has become very individual, fully adapted to our needs, and all the items in it are comfortable, beautiful, significant and serve as a source of strength and inspiration.

Sensual. Everything that is used now and awaits us in the interiors of the future is tied to our feelings and emotions.

Artistic. It is difficult to imagine a trendy interior without contemporary art – paintings, sculptures, non-figurative painting, gallery design and collectible vintage art.

Craft. The trend is to emphasize handcrafted techniques that give materials a conscious craft character and expressive texture: a variety of marble resins, bioplastics, ceramics, waste materials, banana and palm fabrics, coconut fibres, hemp fur, rattan.

Natural. Whatever material we take – wood, stone, linen, silk – in a fashionable interior it is without dyeing, with a deliberate demonstration of texture, natural features and colour. Smoothness, ideality of forms are also in the past. We will increasingly see the violation of geometry and proportions, the desire for natural imperfection.

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

When creating a private interior, my main advice is to learn about the preferences of your customers as much as possible, to find out the most important things for their comfortable living – What can make them happy? How and Why?

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?

International competitions enable us to see a global cross section of what is happening in the industry at one place; it’s a kind of fixation of the peculiarities and signs of the times. I am very interested in analysing the relevance of my works compared to the works of my colleagues from all over the world. Participation in such events is a great stimulus for development, networking, and an opportunity to prove yourself and be noticed.

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

Your most treasured possession?  The greatest value for me is my family, friends, knowledge and experience.

Your favourite holiday destination?  I really love holidays. What could be better than giving gifts and organizing celebrations? I want my loved ones to feel joy, care and love as often as possible.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar? When it comes to chain hotels, I really like Relais & Châteaux. It’s always an amazing experience! As for restaurants, it’s a difficult question, the menu is very important to me since I am a vegetarian.

Your favourite book, film & song? Book – The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov. Film – Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter … and Spring Again by Kim Ki-duk. Musical piece – Ave Maria by F. Schubert

Your favourite food and drink? Food – fresh fruits and vegetables, wild berries, herbs. Drinks – water from mountain springs, cappuccino with plant milk, juices and smoothies from tropical fruits.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?  Outdoors, by the ocean or sea. I would love to lie in a hammock listening to the surf, collect shells, read books, swim a lot… and share such a day with my husband and children.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be? If I weren’t a designer, I would become an obstetrician-gynecologist, an assistant in childbirth, the person who meets life.

Intemporary Design Studio have been shortlisted for Living Space – Europe Award in The International Design & Architecture Awards 2020. 

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