Eight reasons to love interior designer Carolina von Humboldt

Carolina von Humboldt is one of those naturally talented and charming individuals who entered the field of interior design because friends and acquaintances were practically knocking down her door in their eagerness to become her clients. After getting her start in the textile design business in Paris, von Humboldt worked as a designer and curator at numerous art and design fairs in Europe before succumbing to the lure of interior design. Her past lives remain a clear influence in her projects, visible in everything from the timeless, classically eclectic style to her frequent use of custom textiles and exquisite eye for art and decorative objects.

A sense of sophisticated ease is the overwhelming impression one draws from von Humboldt's interiors. After we caught up with the jet-setting designer a few months ago to discover her end-of-year wishlist, we couldn't resist going back to find out more about this fabulously knowledgeable and original mind. A breath of fresh air!

 

1. What are four things you can't live without?

A large comfortable bed with many cushions; boots; books; sunglasses.

2. If you could travel back in time to any design era, which would you choose?

The Italian Renaissance and the Bauhaus period.

3. If you could bring an artist or designer back to life, who would it be?

So many... Carlo Scarpa, Gio Ponti, Giambattista Tiepolo, Bronzino, Matisse.

4. Are there any contemporary design trends that you just can't stand?

Actually, trends themselves! I understand that there is a mood and need in the air for a certain style but making it a trend is somehow killing it. By putting everything in a form and unifying taste, opinions, and ideas—it destroys the whole beauty and excitement of design, which is the originality of it.

5. If you had to decorate an entire home using just two designers' pieces, which designers would you choose?

I like to mix styles. Ideally, I would pick Paolo Buffa or Gio Ponti and mix it with comfortable, cosy, velvet, deep sofas and lots of rugs.

6. When you need a change in your own interior, what's your go-to tactic to freshen things up?

The first step is getting rid of things… then, when more space is available, we can start thinking.

7. When do you feel most creative?

It comes here and there and slowly falls into place. Sometimes reading, looking at a painting, listening to music, walking on the beach...

8. What's the best advice you ever received?

Be patient, it always takes longer than you think!