Interview with Nataliia Pleshkova
Nataliia Pleshkova is a recent graduate from the interior design program at UCLA Extension in Los Angeles, California.
Interview about Roentgen Nightstand Design Interview
Designer Interview
5 May 2020
I am a recent graduate from the interior design program at UCLA Extension in Los Angeles, California, where I spent two years. At the moment, I am making professional transition from accounting to interior design to follow my passion and work as an interior design freelancer.
I bring my passion for interior design history into the projects and often draw on historical references and reinterpret them in terms of current trends, needs, materials, and modern technologies in interior design and furniture production.
My most favorite design is Roentgen nightstand that was inspired by the works of David Roentgen, German cabinetmaker who was famous for the creation of mechanical furniture with secret drawers and compartments in the 18th century. Even thought the design of the nightstand is simple, it involves the owner in the process of unlatching and expanding it outward into the room to access a set of hidden drawers, which offer additional useful storage space and protection for personal belongings. Thus, historical reference is reinterpreted in terms of current trends, needs, materials, and modern technologies.
A design is successful when it properly provides solutions to real problems while recognizing available budget and aesthetically fits to the surrounding context.
When judging a design as good or bad, first of all I consider whether it is provide a clear solution for the problem.
The design inspiration may occur as a result of traveling to new places, being exposed to a different culture or aesthetic, spending time in a beautiful natural setting, studying history of interior design and architecture and even conversations with people.
I live in historic Art Deco area in Miami Beach where I have learnt that the restoring historic buildings is a process of integration of the future with respect to the past despite all the challenges. It is not only is crucial to retaining the nation's heritage and history, but it is also environmental and practical.
Usually I develop all designs myself.