“In the coming months we’ll see more colourful spaces with terracotta or earthy browns and more contrast with electric colours”
Order and attention to detail are the maxims of the studio founded in 2018, specialised in a public looking for premium spaces where sustainable materials and artisanship are essentials. We invite you to discover the origins of the interior designer José Lara, his most important projects, the materials he considers essential and his handcrafted pieces as jewels of design.
Quality, elegance, order and a dash of the risqué… the work of José Lara Interiorismo incorporates sophistication, design and a painstaking attention to detail. In your own words, what are the hallmarks of your identity?
The basis of all our projects has always been empathy. Either for a home or a business, it’s important to know the client and understand their essence. That’s why our projects are very different from one another. Based on that, we are also continuously looking for top quality sustainable materials and solutions. Order and attention to detail are the watchwords of the studio.
In 2018 you launched your own studio after more than 15 years as a professional in the sector.Did you always know you wanted to dedicate yourself to design?
I was born into a family dedicated to design and textiles. And so, I always had a passion for textiles, surfaces and the concept of aesthetic beauty. But I originally began studying Biology. Nature has always been and still is my main passion in life and I think that’s something that comes out in my designs in some way.There came a moment when my family needed me to help with the company and I discovered that interior design was what I really wanted to dedicate myself to professionally. And so, I trained in interior design. Today I combine my two passions: professionally, I design interiors and, whenever I can, I enjoy nature with my little ones.
Restaurants, hotels, dental clinics, homes, prestigious events in the sector; what project do you remember with particular fondness?
I always say that the most important project is the one we’re working on now. At the moment, a beautiful rural hotel, loaded with feeling and family history of the owners. We are also working on the renovation of a 18th century farmhouse that will be a weekend getaway place for some very special clients. And, we are also fortunate to be working on a number of residential projects and in contact with an amazing group of people who help us to learn and enjoy the process every day.
Is there any material that is always a part of your projects?
Each project is very different because the design begins with the client at the centre and so we can’t really generalise. But sustainable materials are always a part of the project, applied in different ways in each and every one. In this aspect mosaic tile allows us to create totally personalised applications that are different for each project but always based on a high-quality, recycled and sustainable material.
Speaking of colours, the combination of black and white is a common feature of your work. Why? Is it daring on walls and floors?
Black and white are total opposites. The contrast is also paradoxically balanced, elegant and subtle. We often use this combination in our work, almost unintentionally. Daring? Maybe that’s why we love it so much!
What do you see as the newest colour trends in décor In the coming months?
For me, apart from other indicators, Milan Design Week usually sets the trends in interior design for the coming years. In the last edition, I saw various trends. In all of them, there is a clear inclination towards more colourful spaces than we’ve seen in the last few years. Of course, there’s a continuity of a trend towards a greater connection between human beings and the natural world. And so, I foresee that in the coming months we’ll have lots of warmer colours, terracotta, browns, earthy reds, but also with a trend towards more contrast in spaces with electric colours, very separate on the colour wheel: greens, blues, yellows or very bright reds.
A serene luxury is revolutionising interior design. Minimalism with luxurious details and handcrafted pieces. Do you identify with that style?
There’s no doubt our work is focussed on a public looking for premium quality and luxury. At our studio we try to offer these nuances in terms of quality materials, exclusive design, good insulation to ensure optimum energy efficiency, finishes or textures, but shunning any pretention or ostentation. On that point, artisanship is clearly a determining factor. My clients value not only the beauty of objects or materials but also their traceability and the way they are produced.In our mechanised era, we of course look to technology to provide comfort to human beings, but we also believe in the value of manual labour. In my case, when I am in front of an object that transmits this labour and artisanship, I feel an inner calm, a kind of connection to my own essence.
One of the characteristics of the Art Factory Hisbalit personalisation service is that it’s all done manually, and this is precisely one the hallmarks of some of your projects, these are your handcrafted pieces, created by you as jewels of design.Did growing up in a family dedicated to textiles and upholstering influence your passion for creativity and craftsmanship?
It is precisely these roots that I believe give me a sense of inner peace when I am surrounded by works of art or handcrafted pieces, just the kind of possibilities offered by Art Factory. Also, being lucky enough to actually see how our designs are produced at Hisbalit, we can transmit to our clients that the designs created for them have been crafted entirely by hand, piece by piece. It’s really amazing.
How important is it to you being able to create totally “customised” surfaces?
It’s a real luxury. The creative possibilities it offers are limitless. One thing about the way we work in the studio, when we have to design a piece, it’s like a festival of design. Every member of the team creates their own proposal and between all of us we decide which fits best with the project. It’s a lot of fun and, also, the client gets a product which is totally personalised.
When choosing materials, is it important that they be local and ecological?
I believe that today, for an interior design studio, taking responsibility for sustainability each step of the way is simply the only option.
I love that point: “local and ecological”. I remember for my space at Casa Décor 2020, the “21st Century Marquess”, I presented the project as a study in ‘Km 0’ interior design. Using local products. I realised that the carbon footprint can be greatly reduced in terms of transport and packaging by choosing locally produced materials. That’s why, for us, our first choice is always Made in Spain, ahead of any other alternatives.
You know our mosaic tile and you have used it often in your most important projects Why Hisbalit?
Because you guys are great! … (hahaha) No. Seriously. I fell in love with the brand when I visited the factory in 2019. The ingredients of the product. A powder of recycled glass I could touch with my own hands. What could be more sustainable?Secondly, Hisbalit has known how to adapt to the highly demanding and everchanging world of construction and interior design. The Art Factory personalisation service offers a world of possibilities.But there’s more. You don’t stop. Understanding the needs of the market, you’re surprised me again with the launch of your new Petite collection, a new direction.And, of course, what is fundamental for me are the people behind the company. In the end, behind everything there are people and you guys are great.We love the creative applications you’ve made of our material. You used it to surface columns, shelves and even a fireplace.
Has the size of the tiles, only 4mm thick, helped you to adapt it to any surface?
It’s funny because every time in the studio we have to find a solution for a curved surface that also requires a certain durability, I automatically propose Hisbalit. My experience has been fantastic because whenever we have a project on hand, I can count on your technical team to guarantee optimum results.We’ve used the material on floors, walls, furniture, columns, curved walls, ceilings, bathrooms, facades, even pools!
For the Argana restaurant you chose AURUM mosaic tile to surface the columns. Why did you choose the new Elements collection inspired in the power of metals?
The concept for Argana was very specific. I wanted to transmit the idea of Argan oil as liquid gold. Also, the columns area and risers called for a highly durable material. And, finally, the contrast of the glossy finish gave a touch of sophistication, a jewel-like surface.