- Interior
The design office founded by Lebanese designer Claude Missir has been designing interior gems for more than 20-years. We want to celebrate this by highlighting some of his most inspiring interiors. With projects spread across Europe and the Middle East, Missir has become a true reference point for luxurious, functional and innovative interiors that at the same time stand out thanks to fun (colour) accents. Whether it's a hotel, a private yacht or a shop design, the designer knows how to make each room unique and give it plenty of character. In an exclusive interview with Imagicasa, Missir talks about his way of working, what inspires him and how he creates his unique and distinctive interiors.
How would you describe you style of interior design
"In one word, I would describe my specific style in interior design as 'minimalist'. In as many more words I would say that perhaps the most valuable asset in any interior design would have to be the understanding of materials to be incorporated. My personal view on this matter is set towards the use of simple yet noble materials such as wood, stone and marble, allowing for intricate setting and detail no matter the scale of the imagination required. Time changes taste naturally, however preferences do have strong tendencies and persist, as for myself the minimalistic approach always preserves neutrality between an object and its surrounding space and therefore in these instances 'less is more' – more or less."
Are there any elements/objects/techniques/textures/… that you keep going back to?
"I would like to think of defining your style by going forward to what it is that you have to do instead of looking back to what you have already done. This leads to consistency that further evolves to a specific personalized style - reflected for others to see and imagine. Since no two things are ever identical, a good designer at any level must truly be creative to distinguish this very basic fact of life. As far as my prevailing principles for interior design are concerned – I favour privileging iconic furniture design coupled with savvy contemporary art and paralleling it with made to measure pieces, recreating circulation and fluidity inside of space, with an appeal towards clean symmetry, minimalistic surfaces and a focus on spatial volume. In addition, to what I deem important and as I mentioned before - my preference for noble material usage, connected with a notion of not mixing in ample varieties of constituents, materials or colours at their base or core level as well."
Who inspires you?
"The primary influences of my designs are inspired by the pioneers, formulators and formalizers of prominent schools of thought and movements. With their withstanding principles and meaningful enactments in contemporary architecture, interior decoration and product design significant and notable figures such as Jean Prouvé, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Charlotte Perriand are my greatest influences. The array of my inspiration is also driven by modern creative paradigms particularly those of contemporary French, Scandinavian and Italian schools of design."
What is your process when (re)designing a room or even a whole residence?
"We begin by analysing the internal volume of space and its intention — dissecting the particular need to usage ratios and seeing how best to apply them. Selective material choice and high-quality finishings are crucial to all projects undertaken. What is also essential: solid interior architectural planning and execution. This because smart positioning and configuration eventually and smoothly leads to the addition of thoughtful furniture, art and various accessories that will embellish a home, office or restaurant."
What is your relationship with you clients? How involved are they in the whole process?
"Many of my clients are reoccurring. We have a history of working together so that makes matters simpler in many aspects, specifically towards trust. We share similar tastes as well so this is also helpful. As with all relationships in life one cannot be constraint to the exchange of ideas, however it is the duty of an interior designer to make certain factors visible to the client in terms of ideas, materials, budgets, planning, etc. New clients at time prefer the hand in hand approach, although it is a learning process for them as much as it is for me as an interior designer. Phases are planned and discussed throughout, with decisions made in mutual rapprochement. It can truly be an enjoyable scale of learning from both ends of the spectrum."
Can you tell me something about the interiors we see here?
"I often select items with the same 'value', i.e. from the same period. For example, the Aaron Young painting, the Vladimir Kagan sofa, the Finn Juhl chairs and the Charlotte Perriand seat are all originally from the 1960s and 70s. I also like to combine vintage furniture with more contemporary aspects. You can see that in the interior with the Pierre Jeanneret chairs, the Pierre Guariche Lamp and the painting by Enrico Castellani, which I combined with a more modern Martin Szekely table.
Certain items are selected for their proportionality, because they fit perfectly into a rather small interior. This approach makes spaces larger than they actually are. In my designs, you can also find neutral colour palettes, because sometimes I really want to focus on one piece, a colourful work of art for example."
What can we expect from Claude Missir Interiors in the future?
"I am trying to provide timeless interiors, interiors that may stand the test of time. It humbles me when a client returns after two decades with a request for collaborating on a new project be it a house or an apartment. What also leaves an imprint on me are instances the children of my clients come to me with the same enthusiasm and zeal as their parents showed prior, but now more mature and determined, full of life. These factors really tell me that the spaces that I create may serve a purpose that is greater than I am, and this makes me very determined and happy indeed, as I look forward to the future."
"In one word, I would describe my specific style in interior design as 'minimalist'. In as many more words I would say that perhaps the most valuable asset in any interior design would have to be the understanding of materials to be incorporated. My personal view on this matter is set towards the use of simple yet noble materials such as wood, stone and marble, allowing for intricate setting and detail no matter the scale of the imagination required. Time changes taste naturally, however preferences do have strong tendencies and persist, as for myself the minimalistic approach always preserves neutrality between an object and its surrounding space and therefore in these instances 'less is more' – more or less."
Are there any elements/objects/techniques/textures/… that you keep going back to?"I would like to think of defining your style by going forward to what it is that you have to do instead of looking back to what you have already done. This leads to consistency that further evolves to a specific personalized style - reflected for others to see and imagine. Since no two things are ever identical, a good designer at any level must truly be creative to distinguish this very basic fact of life. As far as my prevailing principles for interior design are concerned – I favour privileging iconic furniture design coupled with savvy contemporary art and paralleling it with made to measure pieces, recreating circulation and fluidity inside of space, with an appeal towards clean symmetry, minimalistic surfaces and a focus on spatial volume. In addition, to what I deem important and as I mentioned before - my preference for noble material usage, connected with a notion of not mixing in ample varieties of constituents, materials or colours at their base or core level as well."
"The minimalistic approach always preserves neutrality between an object and its surrounding space."
Who inspires you?
"The primary influences of my designs are inspired by the pioneers, formulators and formalizers of prominent schools of thought and movements. With their withstanding principles and meaningful enactments in contemporary architecture, interior decoration and product design significant and notable figures such as Jean Prouvé, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Charlotte Perriand are my greatest influences. The array of my inspiration is also driven by modern creative paradigms particularly those of contemporary French, Scandinavian and Italian schools of design."
What is your process when (re)designing a room or even a whole residence?"We begin by analysing the internal volume of space and its intention — dissecting the particular need to usage ratios and seeing how best to apply them. Selective material choice and high-quality finishings are crucial to all projects undertaken. What is also essential: solid interior architectural planning and execution. This because smart positioning and configuration eventually and smoothly leads to the addition of thoughtful furniture, art and various accessories that will embellish a home, office or restaurant."
What is your relationship with you clients? How involved are they in the whole process?
"Many of my clients are reoccurring. We have a history of working together so that makes matters simpler in many aspects, specifically towards trust. We share similar tastes as well so this is also helpful. As with all relationships in life one cannot be constraint to the exchange of ideas, however it is the duty of an interior designer to make certain factors visible to the client in terms of ideas, materials, budgets, planning, etc. New clients at time prefer the hand in hand approach, although it is a learning process for them as much as it is for me as an interior designer. Phases are planned and discussed throughout, with decisions made in mutual rapprochement. It can truly be an enjoyable scale of learning from both ends of the spectrum."
"I also like to combine vintage furniture with more contemporary aspects."
Can you tell me something about the interiors we see here?"I often select items with the same 'value', i.e. from the same period. For example, the Aaron Young painting, the Vladimir Kagan sofa, the Finn Juhl chairs and the Charlotte Perriand seat are all originally from the 1960s and 70s. I also like to combine vintage furniture with more contemporary aspects. You can see that in the interior with the Pierre Jeanneret chairs, the Pierre Guariche Lamp and the painting by Enrico Castellani, which I combined with a more modern Martin Szekely table.
Certain items are selected for their proportionality, because they fit perfectly into a rather small interior. This approach makes spaces larger than they actually are. In my designs, you can also find neutral colour palettes, because sometimes I really want to focus on one piece, a colourful work of art for example."
What can we expect from Claude Missir Interiors in the future?
"I am trying to provide timeless interiors, interiors that may stand the test of time. It humbles me when a client returns after two decades with a request for collaborating on a new project be it a house or an apartment. What also leaves an imprint on me are instances the children of my clients come to me with the same enthusiasm and zeal as their parents showed prior, but now more mature and determined, full of life. These factors really tell me that the spaces that I create may serve a purpose that is greater than I am, and this makes me very determined and happy indeed, as I look forward to the future."
Header photo: ©Giorgio Possenti
Image credits (top to bottom, left to right):
1, 2, 3 ©Didier Delmas
4 ©Giorgio Possenti
5 ©Stephan Juliard