Interview with Marta Brioschi, owner.

Artisanal techniques from various regions of Colombia complemented the contemporary design that surrounds each of the pieces of furniture manufactured in this project, which seeks to enhance the artisanal and identity of our country.

A work that highlights the craftsmanship and responds to the basic needs of the property, in which local design takes on relevance, thanks to the Brioschi, a Colombian-Italian family that led us to conceive native furniture under a joint creative dialogue.

Why choose L'Atelier to furnish your home?

We prefer local artisanal manufacturing that carries with it a distinctive and recognizable design of the Colombian idiosyncrasy instead of importing concepts, materials or designs from abroad. Likewise, we wanted to avoid the predominance of a particular region and any stereotype of the country. It was very difficult to find the right supplier, after a long search on the Internet, we decided that L'Atelier's vision corresponded perfectly to our needs.

What requirements did you have as clients?

Our apartment has two floors and its central point is the living-dining room, which people encounter directly upon entering through the main door. Our aim was to create a fil-rouge aura for the home. To achieve this, we needed to communicate in the briefing the sensations of “welcome” and “family” which, from our point of view, are the core of the Colombian culture that we fell madly in love with more than ten years ago. We relied on L'Atelier to design and study the furniture based on how the apartment would be perceived during the day (living-dining room, kitchen, study and master bedroom).

What was the most striking thing about our work with local artisans?

Working with local artisans was the factor that convinced us to turn to L'Atelier for the design and execution of the furniture. Apart from the above, we highlight the modernity and, to a certain extent, the internationality with which they express Colombian vitality and energy through clean lines and colours without losing the harmony of the space (despite breaking some rules in the eyes of a European). If I may make a comparison, which I hope does not sound like blasphemy, L'Atelier's proposals remind me of the combination of cumbia and jazz. And we really like that.

What did you think of the project implementation process? What is your opinion on the co-creation process for each piece of furniture?

The process of creating the furniture project began on the basis of the practical needs of the building and our subjective evaluation of the colors that we believed were in line with the desired style. We met with David Rodríguez and Sergio Ayala at the L'Atelier headquarters (Bogotá) where we had an intense brainstorming session. During this time, the final color palette was reworked and the type of wood and fabric to be used was chosen. For our part, we decided to reconsider our aesthetic requirements for the furniture in favor of granting greater creative freedom to the artisans.

How effective do you think the communication between you and L'atelier was? Was it face-to-face or long-distance?

At all times, the dialogue between both parties was collaborative, open to new paths and objectively critical. Throughout the process, and despite the partial distance (we travelled to Italy), communication between us was never interrupted, nor has it been interrupted, and we have obtained a result with which we are fully satisfied.

What did you like most about our work?

L'Atelier's strong point was the ability to listen and interpret sensations and feelings towards concrete ideas, as well as specific needs in the organization of spaces. We were also surprised by the sensitivity of the designers that goes beyond the purely local experience, revealing a wisely measured international flavor of a Colombia that opens up to the world and reveals its hidden treasures, aware of its uniqueness. Awareness that can only arise from a broader experience and from comparison with other cultures.

What is your favorite piece of the entire production delivered? Why?

Our favourite piece, if we really have to choose one, is found in the visual composition of the furniture positioned on the wall opposite the main entrance. There, we can see two tall cabinets, masterfully decorated with drawings of the exuberant Colombian nature and some of its most representative animals. In the middle of these is a steak printed with ethnic fabrics loaded with historical symbolism that enhances its original design. A true splendour and an excellent calling card for L'Atelier! It also represents our most sincere tribute to a wonderful country.