Sandrine Real, Interiors designer
FR - If architecture always tells a story, according to Sandrine Real, then the architect's many projects are like the chronicles of several lives.
Between experience and the pleasure of new things that each project brings, between Annecy, Marseille and Uzès, Sandrine ‘translates the way of life of its inhabitants’ into carefully idealised creations.
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‘My first step is to listen to the story, to romanticize the interiors. I carry out a diagnosis by listing the uses, soaking up the desires, expressing the needs and understanding the shortcomings. I can then begin to translate this story pragmatically by shaping the space, removing the material, the indistinct, to create fluid, harmonious living spaces. Sandrine Real |
The main lines of her creations? Light, to which she attaches ‘particular importance, helping to define atmospheres and bring a sense of well-being...’.
LET'S CHAT
Hello Sandrine & Welcome to UzEssentiel.com,
With a degree in Space Design from the Annecy School of Art and a Bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture from HEAD (haute école d'art et de design), you put your expertise at work for your customers between Annecy, Marseille and Uzès. Why did you choose this profession?
After enjoying being a piano teacher for many years, reaching my thirties opened up new horizons for me. And as the love of art and fine craftsmanship has always been part of my life, from as far as I can remember, getting a new training through the Geneva School of Art became almost a matter of course.
Even though at the very beginning of my training I wanted to become an architect, the discovery of the richness of interior design, an essential part of any construction project, became an increasingly important part of my future career. And then, the pleasure of interacting with the people who entrusted me with their vision of their home and of working as part of a team with talented craftsmen did the rest.
Interior design allows you to be very inventive, combining the technical with the creative, while staying within the framework of the initial project. It's very stimulating!
How do you work between these three towns, knowing that each has its very own personality? You started with Annecy, then moved on to Marseille and Uzès. Why did you make this choice?
Once again, I felt the need to work on projects in completely different contexts. Word of mouth is essential. A good professional also shines through his customers. They are the best ambassadors for interior architecture, and they are satisfied with their renovations or refurbishments.
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‘The interior architect is a designer, an artist... who plays with light, volumes, colours, furniture and materials with the aim of creating a unique environment, furniture and materials to make interior spaces sublime, comfortable, welcoming and functional’. ESMA, Ecole supérieure des Métiers Artistiques |
How would you define interior architecture?
Rethinking spaces, redesigning them, sometimes reinventing them - interior architecture is a fantastic playground for anyone who enjoys ‘staging interiors’.
When it comes to rethinking a house or flat, the interior architect is there to guide you, advise you and do everything possible to ensure that your initial idea comes to life and meets your expectations.
Interior design plays with the existing foundations while creating new ones, obviously in compliance with a quality charter.
What's more, recycling is an interesting part of our profession, and one that is increasingly appreciated and understood by our customers. Making something new out of something old is a great challenge.
With every new project, you consider whether or not to renovate, refurbish or even extend the home. What are the main challenges in your profession? How do you work with your customers?
Every job is different. My customers come with their own sketches, or even with a well-defined plan and very specific requests.
A project is a facet of their lives, and the result must resemble them so that they feel in perfect harmony with it. Of course, the plans evolve as we discuss them, and we have to think about leaving space for all the members of the family, respecting the need of their daily lives, creating or optimising circulation through each room.
A kitchen is meant to be a convivial place, where everyone has their own corner, and you have to think about how you're going to entertain your friends... From the initial sketches, we move on to 3D images, which are perfect for bringing the new interior to life.
We also need to talk about costs, materials and the companies to be involved - it's a clever layout in itself.
Meetings, discussions and on-site appointments set the tempo for each project. And once it's under way, weekly visits are a real plus for understanding how the work is progressing.
A project takes between 4 and 8 months to complete. Interior design is also a time investment.
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‘Today's interior spaces are contemporary laboratories. Whether through renovation projects, ephemeral scenography or artistic installations, interiors have become an endless arena for the exploration of cultural, environmental and social agendas that are transforming the way we live, environmental and social agendas that are transforming the contemporary condition. Head.geneva
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What's the best memory you have of working on a project?
Every new project is a challenge in itself. The discovery at the beginning gradually gives way to reflection to optimise resources and space. Every job is unique.
What's more, managing several projects at the same time requires flexibility and adaptation. When you're managing up to 8 creations at the same time, you'd better be prepared not to count the hours. It's a formidable balancing act, with diametrically opposed but sometimes complementary visions.
As an interior designer, you're encouraged to think outside the box, to imagine, to envisage multiple atmospheres, multiple worlds of living. It's a fascinating profession from every point of view.
One of my fondest memories is the renovation of a 16th century hotel. Two years of study went into this huge project, designed and carried out over 3 years in collaboration with many different trades, and which won an architecture prize.
Many thanks to Sandrine Real for her contribution to this article.
The right address: Sandrine Real, interiors designer. Contact: Tel: 06 47 66 75 44, r@sandrinereal.com.