Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Age: 37
Occupation: Designer.
Instagram: @roseinkworkshop
Hometown: Kiev, Ukraine.
Studio location: I have a studio in the Design District, Miami, and in Tribeca, New York.
Describe what you make: I’m the creative director for Rose Ink Workshop, a multidisciplinary design firm that specializes in hospitality interiors. Our goal is to create spaces that are all-encompassing. That’s why, for some clients, we act in the role of design director as well as an interior designer to make sure that brand and design consistency is achieved.
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: As VP of design at Starwood Capital, I was in charge of the design for 1 Hotel, South Beach. It was an immense, challenging project that has been very successful and much-loved. It taught me that the new luxury hotel is much more than a pretty interior—guests want to connect to every tactile part of the brand story and have experiences.
Describe the problem your work solves: There are so many uncomfortable environments. We’re constantly working to create spaces that balance thoughtful architecture with fresh yet timeless interiors, packaged with a layer of handmade and curated art and accessories. If we get the balance right, people subconsciously feel positive and happy with a space and then want to come back again and again.
Describe the project you are working on now: Rose Ink Workshop is designing an independent hotel in Downtown New York. It’s a 175-room property that’s designed to feel timeless, exciting, and a little mysterious. The guest rooms are modeled to feel like a chic, cozy, and bright New York City pied-à-terre.
A new or forthcoming project we should know about: The Well recently opened! It’s a holistic wellness-based membership club in New York City that includes a full-service spa with steam room and sauna, an organic restaurant, reflexology lounge, yoga and meditation studios, private training gym, and classroom with weekly programming.
What you absolutely must have in your studio: I grew up in a house with more than 5,000 books, so books and magazines of all different genres are essential to my process. Also Skittles.
What you do when you’re not working: I just had a baby boy in March. I try to spend all the time that I have with my family!.
Sources of creative envy: Kit Kemp, Collette, Carlo Scarpa, Robert Polidori, Dorothy Draper, Henri Matisse, Les Lalanne, Umberto Eco.
The distraction you want to eliminate: I watch a daily dose of cat videos on Instagram. I’d argue that it’s more relaxation than distraction, so I doubt I’ll eliminate those anytime soon.
Concrete or marble? Both. Concrete is versatile because it can be sculpted into any form, but marble is timeless.
High-rise or townhouse? Townhouse in New York, high-rise in Miami.
Remember or forget? Remember…
Aliens or ghosts? Aliens.
Dark or light? Light!
