Design Your Life – Irina Androne interview, internal designer and founder of The Design Nest

With almost 20 years of field experience, Irina Androne is a well -known name in her field, an active designer, passionate and dedicated to educating the interior market in Romania, but also abroad.

He has collaborated with some of the important suppliers internationally, but also with famous strong brands, of which we mention Armani Casa, Polyform, Arketipo, Cortizari, DiTre Italia or Aster Cucine.

Details here.

At the online webinar Live Design Your Life, Irina will turn to the original vs. Fake. What are the details that make the difference?

Let’s get to know it better together!
Interview: Ileana riantcanu

Photo: Irina Androne

How did the passion for interior design appeared?

The passion appeared 18 years ago, when my first job was in the first luxury furniture store in Romania, produced in Italy. Then I had several training courses in the country and in Italy, at the furniture suppliers, I visited their factories, I understood what details are important, but also that the furniture of a house represent an in -depth study, a combination of aesthetics and technique.

Since then I liked to be involved until the end of the arrangement of the houses, creating internal projects. Throughout this way I have had apparitions with the projects made in specialized publications and I received prizes that have materials that are on my way!

What is the most beautiful experience linked to this area you had in 2021?

Although 2021 is still a pandemic and a small agitated year, as well as other projects on which I worked or still work, I liked to complete a turnkey project. I needed this challenge that loaded me, from a creative point of view.

Orina Androne Provision, Design Nursery

What impact does authentic design have in your customers’ homes?

An authentic design is a design that represents you, to complete your lifestyle and improve it, taking advantage of the help of an interior design specialist. My projects capture the personality of the beneficiaries, as well as their needs. There is no standard living space, perfect in life, but there is the space in which each of us dreams of being.

What is the most beautiful house you entered?

The most beautiful house I entered is the one in which people felt very well, which improved their lifestyle. There are many beautiful houses that I left behind, many ideas that have become creation.

Since I took the period of the years with economic growth, I had the opportunity to organize houses with budgets between 100,000 and 300,000 euros. We have created provision projects by inserting furniture with the most innovative functional systems and finishes. It was chosen from the most recognized, powerful and innovative international brands, with a tradition of over 70 years, such as: Polyform, Armani Casa, Arketipo etc.

Provision of the appointment bathroom – Irina Androne, design nest

How many projects do you have in the wallet so far?

For 18 years I have worked at the service of the beauty, port harmony and beautiful in people’s homes and in the places where I work. Very difficult to keep their number! We certainly exceeded the 300 turnkey agreements, but over 1000 beneficiaries with various smaller projects.

How would you describe sustainable design?

Quality is something that deserves to be chosen, adding a lasting and quality satisfaction, in the wider sense of the word. Whenever we make a purchase choice we must think if we respect the environment or not.

I support and promote, in my projects, suppliers with an ethical approach to nature.

In a world with limited resources, it is essential for each company to do what it can, ensure that its processes and products are extremely resistant.

What is the biggest compromise you have done since you started being a designer for customer homes?

The greatest compromise was the free time we assigned to the projects. Weekend and evenings when I worked for projects, time I had to assign to the family or relax and spend with or for the beneficiaries.

What is the project that brought you maximum satisfaction?

Over the years there have been many projects that have brought me satisfaction. Everyone gave me the power to go on, they made me understand that the man behind the brands is me and that I make things move. One of the latest successful projects is the first Nest design project. The beneficiaries being entrepreneurs in the field of interior design, put into practice all the pencil ideas from me and supported me during the agreement, until the end.

Irina Androne, the design nest

How did this interest appeared for authentic objects compared to false?

Can you convince your customers that «cheap» is the most disastrous design investment? Isn’t it at all an investment at all?

The interest appeared during the period when I was manager and interior designer of the Armani Casa Romania brand. Then I held courses and training courses in Armani Casa, in Italy, for three years, I explained the details that make the difference between the original and false, I saw the team of designers of products that innovated year after year, I understood what a quality textile means and how to create a visual environment, using: shape, furniture, light.

The purchase of original furniture is a multi-sensorial life experience. Everything around us in the house integrates our lifestyle and creates life emotions!

An object of false furniture, such as a false clothing object, room only your self -esteem.

What would you answer to someone who tells you: is interior design in your condition too elitist and is it impossible to have only huge budgets for brands that produce authentic pieces?

By promoting original furniture and accessories objects, I support creativity and encourage the creative and original activity of product designers.

Knowing the furniture brands very well, I propose to the beneficiaries of authentic and original furniture, depending on the budget they have. Why buy you furniture or false appliances, when you can buy them from producers who, due to a standardized production line and enormous sales, allow excellent policy, in terms of quality ratio? For example, I do not buy a fake Flexform sofa and I buy an authentic sofa produced by Ditre or even a sofa produced in Romania, signed by a Romanian product designer.

Honestly, I don’t want all customers; I wish those who include this aspect. You don’t need a huge budget, to benefit from an authentic design, I have agreements taken from a budget of 20,000 euros.

Orina Androne Provision, Design Nursery

How would you describe your relationship with a customer? What should be conducted on both sides?

I believe that mutual respect is the basis of a healthy relationship, both in life and professional. The correctness and communication of any aspect that appears during the development of the provision project are very important. You have to allocate the time to identify the customer’s needs and desires, which are not always the same, and must listen to your practical advice to benefit from your experience in the field of agreements.

How did the design nest appeared?

The design nest has been in me for a long time. When the firm desire appeared, the people who supported me appeared, to whom I thank you, including you (Ileana riantcanu). At that time many opportunities were opened that led to the creation of the nest. I still flirted with their agreements between jobs, but the concrete idea of ​​the brand materialized five years ago.

The nest seemed to support authentic agreement projects, at a time when everyone promoted fakes. Examples: online stores and large furniture stores that preferred to import false from China without making efforts to promote originality. Design Nest is a platform created to support interior design, quality projects and to increase the quality of homes.

The first interior design project signed by The Design Nest, by Irina Androne

What are the most intense memories related to your childhood?

The most beautiful childhood memory is that when we moved to an apartment in 3 rooms and my parents allowed me to choose the background for the whole house. At that time I was painting and drawing several sketches, the parents were sure that I would follow an artistic career and I trusted me to make aesthetic decisions.

What do you think this area is going to Romania? How will the Romanian houses be over five or ten years?

I think people started to be interested in the house, especially now, when they had to stay at home for a long time. The beneficiaries produce budgets in which they include an interior designer. He started to interest his comfort and ask for a lot of information on products and brands. I think in the next 10 years, the Romanian houses will have an ever better aspect. There is a more intense interest in interior design, comfort and creativity.

1. The city where you would have liked to stay … Rome, Italy.

I love, however, Bucharest, here I was born and on vacation, when everyone leaves the city, I like to be a tourist, to walk and admire it.

2. The most beautiful building you have seen is … the Vatican.

I was hit by Florence, seen from above, the splendid buildings, as if it were unreal!

I feel very well with the Romanian university and in Tate Modern, London.

3. The song you listened to last is …?

I get used to listening to the hammer, which makes me live forever and return to my origins.

4. The most recent film you saw (and you liked it) is … at the cinema, fast and angry 9.
I liked the idea that, regardless of the people you have to take care of, you have to follow your way, moreover, after the pandemic, I needed a little action. I look very often on Netflix and lately cartoons are intense life lessons for both children and parents.

5. Your post book is … «Women who run with wolves», by Clarissa Pinkola Exes

6. You never leave the house without … a splash of perfume and positive energy.

7. Puppy or cat … puppy. It’s much more devoted and honest, I miss my dog, Tzika!

8. It annoys you … lack of respect and lying.

9. You would never do … bad, intentionally.

10. You are happy when … I am in a state of presence and I realize the beauty of life.