Arteriors have been shortlisted for the Lighting Piece Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2021. Read more about the Designer of the Rondelle Chandelier for Arteriors below:

Name: Laura Kirar
Company: Arteriors
Position within company: Guest Designer
Website: www.arteriorshome.com

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
My background in design started as a fine artist at the Art Institute of Chicago.  I began as a sculptor making mixed-media conceptual “design” pieces to support my studio exploration of domestic roles and inter-relational themes. That eventually evolved into a 20+ year career of designing functional furniture, extensive collections, residential & commercial interiors, limited edition and retail objects and most recently, “experiential” spaces such as my latest public project, MESóN Hidalgo – Luxury Guesthouse Boutique, in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

How would you describe your personal design style?
I would categorize my personal design style as “modern irreverence” – I am a design chameleon and I really love creating something for a specific place or person and being inspired by the moment. However, as a rule, I appreciate but am unattached to slavish reproduction of historical detail or the cult of minimalism.  I’m more interested in reissuing classic concepts through my own modern lens.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
My inspiration comes from my life – I lived 20 years in NYC, have travelled the world and currently live in Mexico – where I go, what I see, who I know, what I’m listening to – whatever I encounter that resonates and makes an impression is all source material for what I create. 

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
As a counter reaction to minimalism, I anticipate the pendulum to keep swinging in the direction of Maximalism – however that might be interpreted by the great talents.  After a year focusing inward, my sense is that inhabitants of “white on white” environments found them less than satisfying.  I think there will be a reaction to that.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2021 and beyond.

• Deep Layering – visual history
• Authentic Materials & Textures
• Balanced Patterns – active & resting eye
• Artful Interior – art/design space
• Collected Objects – personal interior

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
In each scheme there should be only one star – an object, color, detail etc – and then many supporting roles.  Creating a successful scheme is all about creating dialog. Remember what you want to say and then have THAT conversation.

What projects are you currently working on?

• 2 interior furniture collections
• 2 outdoor collections
• 1 textile collection
• 1 tile collection
• 1 fashion accessories collection 
• 2 historical residences – architecture & interiors
• 1 new build 2 level commercial building – interior architecture and art design curation
• 1 hospitality – concept design & branding

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
A private “family office”. It’s my favorite because the purity of the architectural design was layered with interesting “authentic” materials, well selected design pieces and a handful of one-off custom design/art pieces from my own LKD Studio.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
A landmarked residential townhouse. Permitting delays, multiple contractors, indecisive client, change orders – shall I go on?

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
I would take a client’s project without the support of an uber-professional team to augment LKD’s work and provide the client with the best – even in what we do not do: such as engineering, a lighting consultant, landscape architecture, etc.  

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
Train new talent in our studio & delegate everything that does not require my touch. Create more mental space for the creative in my studio and in my life.

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

Most treasured possession? My free time
Favorite holiday destination? Sicily
Favorite way to spend an afternoon? With friends at my home, Hacienda Subin
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be? Unemployed

Arteriors with Laura Kirar, shortlisted for the Lighting Piece Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2021. 

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