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18 Mai |
Interview with Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz Designer, Interviews
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“When you open the door and see a room for the first time, your breath should be taken away. You should not be able to identify particular pieces of furniture or art, the room should be art in itself. And a strong sight should say it all.”
Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz, “Emotional Rooms“
photo: Sara Krulwich for The New York Times
Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz, principal designer at BNO Design, is one of my favorite designers. He is the extraordinary mind behind various Mondrian hotels and also has produced projects for Lenny Kravitz, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Mark Seliger, among others. Named by House Beautiful as one of America’s Most Brilliant Decorators for 10 consecutive years, Benjamin is recognized as one today’s most stylish and influential interior designers. I like his color-rich interiors and his book “Emotional Rooms”. I remember looking through it even some hours before my bar exam…
Tracie Martyn Salon in New York, photo: Antoine Bootz
How would you describe your own style?
My own personal style is comfortable yet theatrical. I don’t like interiors that are just nice, they have to have something else which makes them unique. I love to introduce whimsical elements that make you smile however, my rooms must be calm and serene.
When did you first realize that you wanted to be an interior designer?
As far as I remember I wanted to become an architect. It was not until I finished my second Master in Architecture and started working as an architect that I realized that interior design would suit me better.
Looking back at your first project what decorating knowledge do you wish you had back then designing the interiors?
I didn’t professionally designed interiors until I was an architect so the main tool that I had to learn was furniture history and fabrics! They don’t teach that in architecture.
Please talk us through your design process – how do you complete a project from start to finish?
I can actually quote you from my book, Emotional Rooms: “The four elements of design for interiors are architecture, color, furniture selection and lighting. Architecture is the space itself. Color brings emotions to the space and is of primary importance. Then you select the objects…. Finally, lighting- this is when everything gets revealed. The right choice will either highlight or obscure an object.”
Apartment in Paris, photo: Antoine Bootz
Some designers believe that the first piece for any room is the rug or a painting that sets up the colors palette. What is your first source of inspiration?
The first piece of the puzzle that I select is the color, which comes to me naturally by being in the room or studying what I want it to become. The color can come from a feeling that you are trying to convey, from the view or from the inhabitant (their favorite color usually is the color that makes them look better).
What do you do if you want the room to feel calm and serene?
I use one color almost exclusively, that’s the key in my case. Using one color in abundance makes you feel the colors rather than the objects. I try to then combine visually active pieces like chairs with visually quite pieces such as full upholstered sofa.
Why would you prefer a neutral color scheme in a room?
I don’t’ prefer a neutral color. I make any color feel neutral by using it in abundance. An entire red room can feel neutral because you cannot compare it to any other color in the room.
“Furniture placement is an art in itself”(Emotional Rooms). How do you achieve that the furniture looks as art?
I look at furniture for their shape and form and not for their function. If you do that, it will make it easier to mix different styles. For example, soft rounded pieces go together very well and give the room a sensual air. Hard edge pieces feel dangerous therefore making you feel agitated. Its just like a sculpture or a painting.
Jaharis / Ledes Residence in New York, photo: Antoine Bootz
What’s your one best piece of advice on lighting?
Diversify. Try to combine at least three or four types of lighting in each room (natural, task, ambient, whimsical) and never shy away from using two or three lamps on one table, they do different things so there is no reason to just have one!
How do you achieve a good scale? Scale is a really interesting and difficult topic.
Scale is something that you really have to feel and experience really tells you a lot. Always imagine a room as it was a painting. Nowadays you can take a quick iPhone photo which will reveal a lot. By taking photos you will train your eye to see scale and perceive what is too large or too small.
What do you love to do when you are not designing?
I love watching old movies when at home and I love to travel. Traveling is a requirement to all designers, you must travel.
What are your favorite books?
I really have not favorites but the ones that fit on my coffee table and bookshelves. I do love my Kindle and iPad.
Mondrian Soho Hotel in New York
What does success mean to you?
Doing what you like doing.
Who will be the Andrew Martin International Designer of 2011?
The one who deserves it.
My signature Design Elements question – what are the most important design elements?
Your eyes…
Kommentare
67 Kommentare zu “Interview with Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz”
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Willkommen
Willkommen auf Design Elements - mein Blog über Interior Design, Inneneinrichtung und Inspiration.
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Great interview again, Maria! A wealth of knowledge in some answered questions…
i loved the interview today, maria..very insightful…but most of all the quote at the begining of it..it does apply completely to the interiors designed by mr. ortiz. have a lovely day xx meenal
I gasped when I saw the designs. Great interview. Thanks for sharing.
YOUR EYES!
oh I would love to be an interior designer. Thankfully I get to do quite a lot of styling with my job which is pretty cool
Es diferente, me gusta!!!
besos
Magic. Absolutely superb interview. I am so excited that Benjamin mentions ‘whimsy.’ I can’t resist adding a touch of whimsy to every space. I also like his theory on the use of color…great tip. Thank you, Maria! xo
what a great interview! love the idea of “emotional rooms.” he has done some stunning work!
alexa
http://www.theshortandthesweetofit.com
What a great interview with such a talented designer! You asked him a lot of great questions and he gave a lot of great answers! How can a lawyer ask all these questions?
DANKE! DANKE! DANKE!
herzlichst
v
So glad I read this! Love that opening quote. Great questions, and I really enjoyed his four elements. Must save this one
Great quote! Love the look of that bar.
Great interview! Very informative and interesting…I especially enjoyed getting a look into his design process and his concept of what comprises a neutral room.
What a great interview again, Maria! And what a great advice from an expert on how you can train your eye for perceiving the right scale by taking photos. I’ll remember this: architecture, color, furniture and lighting, yes, the lighting is so important.
Wonderful interview. I learned so much.
Maria, you were right that I would love your designer today! He is one of my favorites too and your questions were so good. Lighting, scale, color…all must be considered for good design. Thank you for yet another great insight interview! big hugs to you
I so agree with Benjamin, specially when it comes to the design process and lightning!
I followed exactly the same steps when I had to decorate my own house…maybe I should have been an interior decorator as well
Thank you very much for the inspiring interview.
Ciao!
great interview and great question…bravo!!!!!
Uau! I didn’t this designer, but I like very much. His works are amazing! Thank you!
Kisses!
Klasse!
Beim Fotografieren sind es auch die AUGEN, nicht der Fotoapparat!
Liebgruß,
Tiger
=^.^=
Great interview and answers. Very insightful and lots of wonderful advice.
By the way, I like the white room in Paris, so beautiful and calm.
Jessie
http://www.mixandchic.com
OMG this is the best interview I’ve ever read. It’s better than all the Architectural Digest interviews. Thank you, Mr. Ortiz! Thank you, Maria! I’ve learned so much. I feel so inspired. I’m going to read it again and again.
kisses from Italy
Hi, Maria!
As always, fantastic interview.
He is a genius, the images are great and I can clearly see why his work constantly appears on international “Best” list.
Big hugs to you.
Tereza
Great interview, I love the paris apartment living room, so gorgeous! Thank you for your comment on my blog, have a lovely day xx
What a talent…fantastic interview!!
These rooms are incredible. Great interview!
Thanks for an interesting interview. I have to agree that each of these rooms is a work of art.
What a great interview. I like what he thinks about success. While we obviously want to make money from being a Designer, there is success in doing what we love doing.
Absolutely superb! very insightful! My fav designer gave my fav answer about success. Love Emotional Rooms. It’s one of the reason why I study design. THANK YOU!!!
Thanks for posting such an interesting interview. Very enjoyable!
Wow! I really enjoyed this post. I love Benjamin’s style and I love how he thinks.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Michelle
I fully agree with Benjamin–”the room should be art in itself”. I wil have to purchase his book “Emotional Rooms”! Love his work!
Note to self…NEED more lamps!
Maria, I think you’ve introduced me to my design soul mate! I love the way his mind works and that Paris apartment image you featured is perfection! Thank you for this wonderful interview!
xo Mary Jo
There was a lot to like here today! The quote is amazing and I so agree!!! The colors in that last hotel makes me want to go right away!!! Hope you’re having a fantastic Thursday!
Smiles from Kristin
love his style. The bright pops on that neutral rug are amazing
Fabulous interview, sweetie! He’s spectacular, isn’t he? LOVE the Tracie Martyn Salon and the Mondrian Soho
xoxo
Very gorgeous interior! I would say the interior designer really has a good taste with colors, lighting and the seating. Makes every project he does lovely, gorgeous and stunning! great post!!!
Hi, Maria!
I’m curious, you learned a new word – what’s the word?
Hugs
Tereza
Beautiful rooms! I especially love the last room {before the hotel pic}. I could see myself very comfortably hanging out in that room.
Great interview! He’s one of my faves! Plus, he’s so handsome too:-)
What a great interview! Gave me some insights in regards to setting the color/ mood of a room, which I’m actually doing right now for my new condo.:)
Great interview! I love his work and agree on design and travel – they go hand in hand. martine xo
i love that quote of his! there is nothing better than walking into a room and not being able to pinpoint why you love it so much, because it all just works. beautiful interiors!
-whitney
ps-thank you for the compliment!!
Hi my friend,
Interview time! I must stop by before I hop on the plane for Sweden! Yet another insightful and fabulous conversation, Maria!
And I just got a designer tip I have never thought off. To put more than 1 lamp on a table! I am so going to try that!
Warm hugs,
Mon
Maria,
I read your post with Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz and find it to be extremely interesting. I am always curious about interior designers and how they approach their design projects…each one so different.
This was a fascinating interview and a valuable resource for future design projects.
Have a great weekend!
Kris
I love those green and orange chairs!
I Love his last answer. We should use it in several aspects of our lives – professional and personal.
He seems a man full of (good) energy and with that eye shine that implies he’s having the best of times enjoying what he does.
Thank you for bringing this charming people.
Enjoy your weekend!
Teresa
Masterful work, wise words. I especially like the first and last photos.
Maria, your interviews give such insight they are like mini-classes on design.
I love this interview Maria! What a great quote and I love the answer to the “Design Elements” question too! Happy weekend to you, Stephie x
Wow, these interiors are GORGEOUS! And a wonderful interview too, thank you for sharing this
Have a wonderful weekend, hugs to you!
Nancy xo
That Soho bar is amazing!
Hi Maria
Great interview and fabulous designs.. Although I love my colour, I’m loving this white room.. seems happy and content!!
I do like his opinion on how a room should feel at first sighting… it should be an overall feeling.. not a breakdown of the individual pieces… must check out his book.. ‘Emotional Rooms’..
Hope you have a lovely weekend.. ciao xxx Julie
What a perfect way to start off my Saturday. I never heard of him before. Now his book is on top of my wish list! Thank you for this brilliant interview! Lovely Saturday to you
I love that people’s favourite colour is the ‘one that makes them look better’. Beautiful photos and inspiration.
Hi!
Just to let you know that I have linked and recomended this interview to my readers
This is too god not to share!
Hope you dont mind.
Love from Oslo
Oh my the Tracie Martyn salon is gorgeous! Im working on a project now that could really use that color palette!
BTW-fixed my link. Sorry that it didn’t work when you came over. Have a great weekend!
Oh my! What talent this man possesses!
I favor more of his light filled designs, but they are all lovely.
Wonderful interview…Thank you for introducing me to such talent…
Take Care…
It’s always so interesting to hear how a designer works and their personal ideas about bringing a room together. Thanks for sharing this wonderful interview.
Wow – what a feature. That apartment in Paris is phenomenal. Thank you for your comment on my blog – just discovering your blog now and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Can’t wait to read more.
That is an AMAZING interview, well done!! What a charmer he is… YOUR EYES! How sweet
Happy week to you, lovely!
Meera xx
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similar to the rounda chair…
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