Welcome to Future Talks by RTF– a captivating series of conversations with visionaries shaping the world of design.
In this installment, we delve into the creative realm with Katja Kessler, the brilliant founder of KATJA KESSLER KREATION. With a passion for interior design pulsating through her veins, Katja finds inspiration in the diverse tapestry of travel, cinema, the digital landscape, and the unique narratives shared by her clients.
In her own words: “Designing spaces is art and addiction to me”.
Join us as we explore how she brings design stories to life, viewing spaces as both an art form and an irresistible addiction.
RTF: Hi Katja, We are glad to have you as a guest on Future Talks by RTF. Thanks for joining us. What has been your approach towards design? How does Katja Kessler Kreation reflect it?
Katja: My clients always tell me: “Please make my place beautiful, Mrs. Kessler!”. Nobody says: “Please make my place ugly”. However, what distinguishes a good interior designer is the ability to discover what this “beautiful” means to every client individually and how it can be transformed into a design.
RTF: Which project of yours has been the most rewarding for you in terms of learning? Which is your favourite project and why?
Katja: Every new project is an adventure. Developing an idea and finding the perfect fit for a client can be daunting. But what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger, and those challenging projects in particular have allowed me to discover what I am capable of and how creativity can be limitless if you think outside the box.
RTF: What is your opinion on trends in design? Do designers shape trends or do the trends shape the approach of designers?
Katja: Trends are important. I love them. They have been at the heart of my designs since the very beginning. Take for example the current hype for wallpapers – I can’t get enough of them. However, while they are a great source of inspiration, sometimes you need to think beyond trends because I think this is what makes the difference between a good and a unique design.
RTF: How would you highlight the importance of constantly evolving in design? How do you look at it in your work since you began?
Katja: Sometimes I stare at my first drafts, and I can’t help myself but think: What the hell? My light-heartedness at using various shapes, colours, and styles: Enviable. However, at the same time, it is important to evolve, to try new things, and to question everything and anything that has been established – reinventing yourself over and over again, even if that sometimes means eventually leading you back to the very beginning.
RTF: What is your idea of finding one’s design voice in a world full of ideas? What was your journey of finding it like?
Katja: I have one big love in life: Old and antiquated furniture and components. I once visited an old barn and discovered a 150-year-old staircase that used to belong inside a monastery – I fell in love on the spot. While most people would have tried to figure out the quickest way of disposing this massive piece of junk, I had to get hold of it that very moment. As a little side note, since this hasn’t been the only instance of ‘love on the spot’ I have managed to get hold of a 1000 sqm storage room, filled to the roof with precious treasures that I accumulated over the years. These are then incorporated into my projects, adding something unique to every project.
RTF: Which has been the most rewarding project for you until today? And, what factors made it so?
Katja: Definitely the Villa Meeresstern. This project not only mirrors myself, but also a longing for a place that had previously only existed in my fantasy. Of course, the project’s distinction awarded by the SBID Interior society made me proud in a very special way.
RTF: What advice would you give to emerging architects and designers who are looking to increase their chances of getting their work published? Are there any specific resources or platforms that you would recommend for architects and designers seeking publication opportunities?
Katja: Let me tell you how I arrived where I am at today: In a past life, I was a dentist with a PhD and a journalist. One day, I posted one of my private projects on Instagram, and the next day someone texted me, asking for advice on how to prop up their home. I jumped into the cold water and like that, I had attracted my first client. Pinterest, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Facebook – these are all great ways of attracting publicity and sharing with the world what your creativity is capable of.
RTF: How do you look at the work beyond designing for young architects and designers, such as the likes of involvement in publishing, handling media and building an online presence?
Katja: An online presence and providing an insight of my work for the interior community have become extremely important to my business – you simply can’t work without it!
RTF: What approach would you advise young design professionals to have to excel in the field? And what are some things to be wary of?
Katja: You need to listen to your client. Not just hear what the client is saying but understand and feel what he longs for. Of course, you need to be discrete. And finally, sometimes you need to be strict – both with yourself and with your client, especially after plans have been changed for the ninth time.
RTF: Where does one find you when you’re not working?
Katja: In my bathtub. I know: To have a bathtub or not to have a bathtub – the great philosophical quest of interior design. But I simply can’t live without.
Thank you so much for doing this interview with us. It has been a pleasure getting to know about you and your work. We’re sure that your insights will be highly valuable to our audience which includes architects and design students. We look forward to publishing this interview on our website soon.
