Luxury minimalist furniture – an interview with designer Joana Santos Barbosa

Good morning Ms. Joana. I look forward to talking to you, especially since you create true and original luxury. Luxury minimalist furniture designed by your brand InsidherLand is something we would like to experience again and again, especially in exclusive interior design. You can clearly see the strong correlation with nature, and the bold design gives uniqueness to your brand.

Luxury minimalist furniture vs. your passion for art in life?

One of my earliest memories is listening to classical music at Sunday family dinners. Neither of my parents had a background in the arts, but they always opened my eyes to discover the great names of classical music. In addition, we traveled and visited museums and historical cities, which definitely helped shape my personality.

At the age of three I was already dancing ballet, and at nine I started playing the piano. In fact, art, music and architecture have always been present in my life, even if I didn’t objectively recognize these influences. Design came later in my life, through my own sketching. It was these that showed me my professional path.

What is the most important role in your work?

My work speaks of who I am. On the one hand, I am strongly influenced by art, on the other hand, I lived my childhood at home in front of a farm field, where I observed the wonders of nature. Looking back, it is clear to me that my first collection Beyond Memory represents my fascination with nature. The luxurious minimalist furniture, including the Alentejo tables, is shaped like cork oak, which I put together on the farm where I often ride horses. Meanwhile, the Azoron chandelier and wall lamp is an idea I came up with during a trip to the green island of S. Miguel in the Azores.

Luxury minimalist furniture, including my second collection, Identity, is deeply connected to the artistic side. As an example, a piano player’s center table was designed with classical music as a backdrop. The design represents what I see when I play the piano. Not the keyboard, but the space sliding across it. The shape of the brass blades on the marble top is identical to the shape of my longest fingers touching the piano keys.

Luxury minimalist furniture vs. favorite artist?

I can’t answer this question in a particular way. Throughout my life, I feel that I have collected passions for the works of certain artists, such as Portuguese painter Manuel Cargaleiro (since I was eleven, I managed to convince my parents to buy one of his paintings in an art gallery and it remains my favorite of the day. I look at it with joy, so elegantly placed above my piano).

In music, I adore the Nocturnes of Frédéric Chopin, and the Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 is the most emotional piece I have ever played. In architecture and design, there are many names of professionals whose work arouses my interest and respect, but it is difficult to single out one or the other. Sometimes I am more influenced by what I perceive in the artist’s creative process than by his physical work.

Tell your story briefly?

I never had any doubt that I would follow a path related to art. After earning a degree in architecture and working early in my career in architectural projects Design is a reality that I have participated in recent years. Although I’ve been designing luxury minimalist furniture for so long, but that will still remain on paper.

Since my first presentation at Maison & Objet in Paris in 2013. My works have been almost entirely sold to international markets. Today, 99% of production is exported to more than thirty-five countries on four continents.

Because I have always had the opportunity to travel, I also felt that my country seemed too small for me. In an ironic twist, I later realized that my small but rich country provides me with not only quality materials, but also craft skills that actively contribute to the creation of my art, including luxurious minimalist furniture that is spread around the world.

Luxury minimalist furniture – how do you want to stand out when designing it?

My priority is to constantly reach an audience that appreciates the value of artwork. I do not draw objects. My artwork and luxury minimalist furniture are functional works of art closely related to life experiences that enhance each project. More importantly than just an extension of myself or my beliefs, my work is made to connect with the desires and aspirations of an audience that appreciates exclusive quality design.

What is the process of creating these beautiful products?

The creative process is intuitive and stems from my memories and the places I treasure. The birth of a new work may result from a new image that pierces my eyes and returns after a long time. When a new idea arises, it automatically materializes in its form, function without rational intervention on my behalf.

Luxury minimalist furniture including, for example, the mirror in Arizona refers to “The Wave,” a rock formation in the United States that I have on my to-do list. I’ve known this landscape for so many years, but a special photo I saw suddenly “awakened” a personal interpretation of this place. If the birth of an idea is created without any rules, the construction process is completely reversed and concentrated in overcoming various technical problems.

I generally look at the creative process in designing luxury minimalist furniture in a similar way to architecture, in that there is form, function (the program in architecture), concept (the basic idea I intend to convey through materials) and emotion (the feeling I intend to awaken in the viewer).

Who among the celebrities has bought your works?

Most of the time, I work with architects and interior designers who develop luxury designs complementing them with luxurious minimalist furniture. Often, disclosing these designs at the request of their private clients is not allowed. I know that we have already sold very unique and custom-made creations to “one of the 10 richest men in the United States,” as well as to one of the “most powerful women in the world” listed by Forbes magazine. However, this information remains private.

Luxury minimalist furniture vs. the most important moment in my career?

When I decided to create InsidherLand. In fact, it wasn’t a moment, but a process that took me three years to completely transition from operating in architecture to working full-time in my own brand. I knew from the very beginning that InsidherLand was for international markets, and it was a big change in my life, because being an introverted personality I had to put myself on the prowl. Over time, I realized that I was growing with the brand and that I had made the right choice.

Where do I want to be in 5, 10, 15 years later?

As time goes on, I don’t have that interest in definition. I have plans, projects and ambitions that I intend to pursue as an author from a broader perspective than I have now, but I don’t talk about them much in advance. I prefer to think, create and show them to the public at the right time.

Ms. Joano thank you beautifully for the interview! Welcome to the Luxury Products And I wish good sales results for Polish customers.