I Wanted Freedom and the Chance to Create I Didn’t Want to Be an Employee
www.posiv.cz ǀ 73
WOMAN
I take measurements. Then I prepare a proposal,
and once it’s approved, we move on to the realisation
– we install everything, hang up everything, and iron
it all to perfection.
Are there elements that, in your opinion, should
never be missing from any interior? And what trends
are currently resonating with customers?
After years of grey, white and beige, colours are finally
making a comeback. There’s growing interest in natural
materials – people are becoming more mindful of the
environments they live in. We’ve even created bio
mattresses made from natural materials such as latex,
horsehair, and viscose. After all, sleep is also part
of a home’s functional design.
From my perspective, fabrics are absolutely essential.
Window decorations – whether curtains, drapes
or blinds – make a space feel cosy, soften it, warm it up,
and most importantly, bring that true sense of home.
Even clients who initially wanted to leave their windows
“bare” often come back later asking us to help them
create a more inviting atmosphere. The human desire
for shelter and safety runs deep – and a curtain, though
subtle, plays a real psychological role in that.
On the other hand, there’s a strong trend towards
automation – electric curtain tracks and integration
with smart home systems. The combination of nature
and technology creates a fascinating contrast today.
In offices, textile screens are becoming popular; they
divide space without fully isolating it. They bring
a sense of privacy and security, which is highly valued
in today’s open-plan workspaces.
Do you remember a project that has been your
biggest challenge so far? And where would you like
to move next?
Yes, it was a large house where we handled absolutely
everything related to fabrics and decorations – from
curtains and drapes to towels, decorative pieces,
vases, and even bathroom accessories. It was my first
truly comprehensive project. And I absolutely loved
it. The client trusted me, opened their home to me –
and I was able to create. It was an incredible experience,
and I still look back on it with joy.
So far, I’ve mostly worked with private clients,
but I would really love to design smaller boutique
hotels or guesthouses – that’s something that truly
attracts me. I’ve also completed several office projects,
including an entire floor with a study, meeting room,
and employee zones.
How do you choose materials and suppliers? When
someone walks into your studio, they’re struck
by the variety – how did you find the right partners?
The early days were full of trial and error. I had
the advantage that my mother-in-law already worked
in the field, so she recommended a few companies.
But it soon became clear that I didn’t resonate with
them. Their style, their approach – it just wasn’t
right. Still, that was valuable, because I got a feel for
how the industry works, and as a new entrepreneur
I received some sample books free of charge. That
made the start a little easier.
Very quickly, though, I realised that “free” always comes
at a price. So I decided to head to a prestigious trade
fair in Frankfurt and start looking for my own suppliers.
Gradually I discovered, tested, and eliminated. I’m still
searching in this way – whether through trade fairs,
collaborating with competitors, or industry contacts.
For example, I recently found Spanish suppliers
focused purely on natural materials – which I’m really
excited about.
Today I have vetted partners; I know how reliable
they are, what the lead times look like, and how
the materials behave. Even so, new collections arrive
twice a year. And to be honest, that’s sometimes a bit
much. It means testing again, culling again, thinking
it all through. It’s a carousel that never stops. But that’s
exactly where the vitality of this profession lies –
it keeps pushing you forward.
Do you see any difference between running
a business in design and in other fields?
Absolutely. In design you’re very close to people – you
literally step into their homes, into their most intimate
spaces. That’s not something to take for granted. I feel
a sense of humility when I walk in – because people
share their stories, their lives, their joys and their pains
there.
I’m not trying to sell a product. I’m selling an emotion.
I create spaces in which people feel good. It’s a highly
intuitive and psychological kind of work. I work
with mood, with colour, with a detail that changes
the atmosphere of a room. Every interior is unique,
and I try to capture the personality of the person who
lives in it.
Thank you for the interview.
In design you’re very close to people –
you literally step into their homes,
into their most inmate spaces.