Asia Chmielewska : The Soulful Melody of a Spanish Izba

Asia Chmielewska:

The Soulful Melody of a Spanish Izba

"The best rooms have something to say about the people who live in them."

– David Hicks

Introduction:

The majority of avid interior design enthusiasts have probably come across the instagram account of Asia Chmielewska, dedicated to her beautiful izba (polish word for small room, chamber) situated in Barcelona. Meaningful objects, appreciation for natural elements and materials,and a most profound sense of a home that reflects one's true nature are the key elements of Asia's interiors. As a photographer by profession and interior stylist by "accident", I was curious to understand the common ground between these two fields, her philosophy of living and the story behind her unique styling odyssey.

Ana

Asia you are a photographer, collector and we can also say interior stylist ? When and how did this passion for interiors occur ?

Asia:

I am a homebody introvert type of person so since always it was important to me the way my place looked in order to feel comfortable and safe. My passion for interiors occurred as a kind of natural way…Collecting objects means you will want to sell the ones that ultimately didn´t stand the test of time and make room for the new ones. And that means they will have to be photographed, placed in their natural habitat - in one world: styled.

It's very creative and brings a lot of fun. And this brings constant little changes within my space. I guess that I, more than an average person, feel this urge to change something - this could be swapping places of paintings on the wall or even pushing bigger pieces of furniture to another corner.

Ana:

What personally amazes me is that, even though I recognize elements of Spanish style (wood, pottery, stone, ceramics, tiled flooring) I also feel like I look at the pictures of former Yougoslavian interiors from the 70s. How did you manage to currante this timeless space that is so much impregnated with the past ?

Asia:

Honestly I can't explain that. It was not my plan that my place will look exactly like it is right now…I progressed a lot and my taste has evolved over the years…I am just listening to my inner self and surrounding myself only with things and objects I can really feel. It’s like with my vernacular photography collection…the photographs come from different periods of time, different places but somehow you can feel that they belong together.

Ana:

You describe your space as « izba » , a Polish word for chamber, or small space. What would be your tip for styling small spaces if you have some ?

Asia:

Styling small spaces is a challenge for sure. Most important in my opinion is to keep it cohesive. Stick to a limited color palette, make sure pieces really belong and protect the space from becoming cluttered. Furnish wisely and let the pieces breath… One (for example chair) comes one (chair) goes work really well for me. Above all, get creative and have fun. Make it really yours.

Ana:

How much does your cultural heritage influence your style today ? Do you have any references ? A way of decorating or viewing space that is maybe typically Polish ?

Asia:

Probably more than I realize…I grew up in so called Polish Block of Flats with just two rooms - called in order of size: big room and small room, where the big one served as a living room and dining room during the day and turned into a bedroom (thanks to folding sofa bed) of my parents at night. Small room always belonged to the children. I was lucky to have it to myself as my older sisters left the house when I was still young. Not having separate space to sleep, adults were forced to make their own bed/place to sleep everyday. Not like nowadays where the bedroom is ready all the time to receive us into its soft depths. Because I live in a small apartment I basically practiced this ritual- preparing and then unmaking my bed. It's kind of meditation…you know…every night your bed helps you rest, dream and recharge…so do it well.

Ana:

What would be your most precious object, piece of furniture that you are inseparable from ?

Asia:

Bulky primitive chair, which has been with me for not so long, is already a classic, and something I will not get rid of soon or probably never. It's a beautiful ¨love¨story also. I saw it on a local second-hand website four years ago and I marked it as my favorite straight away. Somehow I wasn't sure if I really needed it… Time passed by and someday the advert of a chair disappeared. Probably someone bought it I was thinking…It was difficult for me but I managed to forget….hahahahaha. Then boom! After four years I am finding the very same advert again and I am contacting the seller straight away and fetching the chair for the next one. It's such a beautiful weirdo. My perfect chair for meditation.

And also there is this wooden lamp that I could not pass by indifferently. It's some kind of prototype or simple work of a wood enthusiast, apparently what I have been told, preceding from Italy. I absolutely love all its imperfections! My lamp designer friend laughed at it at the beginning but then he said it is somehow perfectly matching my apartment style - and I took that as a big compliment.

Ana:

What would be your definition of home ?

Asia:

“Everywhere is good but home is best” with this saying polish people express their belief that home (aesthetically pleasing and functionally efficient interior) is the place where the person feels best and to which willingly returns, especially after a long absence. I couldn’t agree more….

Ana:

I feel that you are a hunter for precious, personal objects with « a soul » ? Where do furniture pieces and objects come from ? What are you drawn towards when seeking for a piece ? Form, color ? (I am asking this because of your signature earth toned color palette in all of your photos). Do you have some favorite brocantes in Barcelona (flea markets) ?

Asia:

I look for the objects everywhere. Flea markets, small thrift stores, online shops…Most of the things at my place comes from Els Encants flea market which is the biggest and for me the one and only here in Barcelona.Everytime I travel I try to visit at least one local flea market. I do spend a lot of time browsing Todocollection as well - a website dedicated to antiques and all kinds of collectibles, my Wishlist is growing everyday. Going to the flea market I never know what I am going to end up with. Never knowing what exactly I am looking for…just waiting for that moment when something will charm me endlessly no matter if it's its color, shape or weirdness… Honestly I don´t really care of original use of an object if I like it that's it… and of course I can give it completely different and new one. As you mentioned my signature is an earth toned color palette which goes hand in hand with natural materials such as wood (and above all wood), clay, stone, cotton….I will really not pay attention to something made of plastic for example.

Ana:

Are there any interior designers that inspire you, or have influenced your style ? And for what reason ?

Asia:

There are a lot of people right now who's taste I admire. Just to name a few I would say designers behind Casa Josephine, La Cobalta, Green River Project, Rooms Studio….also Jermaine Gallacher, Minjae Kim, Rikkert Paauw, Faye Toogood, Anita Calero…Common thread of all these names is originality and being true to itself and not following any trends and also wood - mainly wood being used in their works…well except one. I must mention here Kettle's Yard located in Cambridge which is a huge inspiration for me. It is such an aesthetically beautiful place!

Ana:

Your flat is located in the center of Barcelona ? Could you give us more details about the era, style, particularities of the construction ?

Asia:

Yes it is. I live just right of Ramblas and opposite of the famous Palau Güell. Even though my street was founded in 1788 and was very bohemian and modern back in the days, the building in which my apartment is located, sadly is not distinguished by anything special. That is way many people who are visiting me for the very first time expect a typical Raval (neighborhood in Barcelona) apartment - dark and tiny…but end up finding a brightly sunny, full of things but somehow spacious place.

Ana:

In your personal opinion, what are the key components of a successful interior design ? Where do you see the common ground between your two passions (photography and styling) ?

Asia:

Interior design requires a deep understanding of the homeowner’s needs and lifestyle. Knowing this and how someone interacts with their surroundings is key for successful interior design. There is a solid common ground between photography and styling to me.

As they say, there are seven basic elements in photographing art or objects: line, texture, shape, form, pattern, color and space. And they are the very same things to which I am paying attention in my daily life.

Asia Chmielewska:

The Soulful Melody of a Spanish Izba

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