Supremati has been shortlisted for Living Space – London Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2022. Read more about Founder & Creative Director, Magdalena Gruszczynska, below:

---

Name: Magdalena Gruszczynska

Company: Supremati

Position within company: Founder & Creative Director

Website: https://www.supremati.co.uk/

Tell us a little about your background in design:
My passion for interior design began early; Growing up in my hometown, Szyldowiec, in Poland, I was heavily inspired by the 12^th century churches and castles I was surrounded by and my mother and grandmother loved to constantly redecorate our flat. This interest led me to the world renowned, Chelsea College of Arts, where I studied interior design. Then after fifteen years of extensive experience working on residential, commercial and yacht projects at top design practices including The Studio at Harrods, March & White, Lawson Robb and Sinot Yacht Design, I founded Supremati in 2017.

How would you describe your personal design style?
My style is international; It aims to represent the art of living by merging different cultures. I would describe it as a “collector’s style”. The spaces I design hold beautifully curated selections of art, furniture, design, and plants, all enclosed within a thoroughly developed layout, specifically tailored to my clients’ requirements.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
Travelling is a really important part of my inspiration, during which I discover new styles, innovative techniques, art, and antiques, which help me develop my own personal international style. For specific projects, I first look for inspiration in the architecture of the building and the location. The exterior of the building can help provide a foundation for the style for the rest of the home, and the location can help guide the style more specifically. Often if the property is close to a park or a landmark, I like to weave in a similar colour palette or add textures and materials that fit in with the area. The next layer of inspiration the clients bring themselves. Each of them has their own passions, favourite places, furniture or art and it is my job to use both of our ideas to deliver a perfect solution for their new home.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
I feel like design is moving towards sustainability and minimalism as fabrics, furniture, interior finishes, and even packaging is increasingly being made using recycled materials. Even luxury developments, such as the Chelsea Barracks, which traditionally use finite and incredibly rare materials and real leathers are leading the way to becoming fully green by implementing systems which are “future proof”. More often now, clients are requesting to have less in their homes, but want higher-quality furniture and home accessories. After the pandemic, there has definitely been a larger focus on creating well designed, ergonomic home offices. It’s like the Art Deco era but instead with focus on sustainability in furniture and materials production. More of my clients are keen on investing in collector’s art and now NFT artworks can even be displayed on large digital screens, which I have seen becoming more common in interiors.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching in 2022 and beyond.
Sustainability, minimalism, wellbeing, art, and design as an investment, NFT art.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
To be brave and to only collect pieces for your home that you truly want and love.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
As one of the leading design awards that showcase talent in hospitality, architecture, yachts, and the aviation sector, the International Design & Architecture Awards are incredibly important and prestigious. It is an honour to be shortlisted for the award and placed among such global talent.

What projects are you currently working on?
I am working on a five-bedroom house in North London, a two-bedroom development property in St. John’s Wood, a four-bedroom penthouse by Tower Bridge, and on a seaside apartment in Gdansk, Poland. Smaller scaled apartments require a different level of technical creativity so that the layout will be comfortable, practical and aesthetic. As I work on a lot of projects in cities I often have to work around these limitations, but I find it to be a creative process within itself.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
In general, I like all of my projects as with each one I learn something new, meet new people and am able to better my design techniques and style with each one. However, if I had to pick one favourite it would be when I worked on the Four-Season hotel and spa when I worked at Wimberly interiors. For big clients like this there are big budgets, there’s a wider access to retailers and professionals in the design industry and it takes a whole team to get the project done. I really enjoyed working on it.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
My most challenging project was the first project I undertook when I first started Supremati. Although I had extensive experience, there was no management above me to guide or help me if something went wrong. So I felt the added pressure because of the increase in responsibility not only in the design and manufacturing process but also in management, accounting and admin work. I had to think ahead and work twice as hard than before. But it was a lesson I will never forget and it was also a huge reward for me.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?AutoCad, InDesign, Photoshop.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
My aim is to complete the projects we’re currently working on at Supremati. I want to have them photographed and launch a shop with bespoke furniture and home accessories as well as with vintage furniture and lighting that I source when I travel around Europe. I would also like to re-launch a shop with children accessories and go back to illustrations I used to do in the past.

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

I am a creative person who loves to continuously learn new things, meet interesting people and explore the world. My daily inspirations come from Instagram, Pinterest, from art and design magazines or simply from wandering around London. I find inspiration on my doorstep, from the classical buildings around central London to the quaint fashion boutiques on Bond street.

Your most treasured possession?
Definitely my artworks by Ernesto Canovas, Gracjana Rejmer – Canovas, Pawel Sliwinski, my collection of vintage furniture, an Ingo Maurer autograph and a picture with him from Milan Design Week.

Your favourite holiday destination?
I love going to Croatia.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
My favourite hotel is the Sanderson hotel in London, which is going through a refurbishment now but was originally designed by Philipe Starck in 1998. The designer dedicated the Sanderson to ‘’mental games, optical illusions, to eccentricities. To dreams, to successful impossibilities. When you arrive in the hotel, you do not really understand what is going on. Nothing is really in its place, noting really has its true volume, its true size.’’ In my opinion it was designed so cleverly, that it is timeless, the interiors still awe me every time I go there.  My favourite restaurant on the other hand is Amazonico in Berkley Square, and my favourite bar is Le Bar at Hotel Plaza Athene, in Paris, designed by Patrick Jouin.

Your favourite book, film & song?
My favourite books I always come back to is ‘’The hidden pleasures of life’’ by Theodore Zeldin or “The Eyes of the Skin, Architecture, and the Senses” by Juhani Pallasma. My favourite film of all time is Vanilla Sky.

Your favourite food and drink?
Favourite food is sea food, especially grilled.
Favourite drink Mojito.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
To go on a walk in the park with my dog just to relax and unwind and take in the scenery. I also love to go see any new exhibitions that are on or to explore London’s newly opened hotels, restaurants, and bars.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
If I wasn’t a designer, I would have liked to travel the world as a National Geographic reporter.

Supremati

---

design et al only work with the world’s leading designers, architects, developers and suppliers.

If you think you have what it takes to compete in The International Design & Architecture Awards, submit your application by clicking here.

How to Apply  /  The Categories