How do you balance making a space beautiful and livable?
Not overcrowding a room; furnishing it with a few pieces, as opposed to many. Each piece should be functional and comfortable.
When you envision a space for the first time, what are the first things that come to mind?
The first time I see a space, I look at the light. I look for wherever the place is―whether it’s a country home, in the Alps,
a house on the beach, or in a different country. How the natural light comes into a place dictates how I am going to treat
the environment.
You suggest finding one must-have object and using it as an initial inspiration for a room. What are some objects you have
used in the past?
A big console table, a mirror, a painting, or a lamp fixture can be a source of inspiration. I look into it for different
possibilities and then see what stands out in the item, and that’s what I take from.
How does your experience in all aspects of design―architecture, interiors, furniture, and landscape―provide you with an edge
in the design world?
Everything is about the surprise. Everything is about how you take people through the experience. If you are talking about
landscape, it’s how you arrive to the house. If you are talking about architecture, it’s how you see the house through the
landscape. And when you enter a house, what kind of furnishings―whether they are designed or purchased for the space―make
sense with the architecture. It’s also about scale. It’s about how you scale the landscape, the house, and each piece of furniture
that wil go into a space.
RESOURCES: Juan Montoya, 212/421-2400, www.juanmontoyadesign.com
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