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KRISTINA BUSKO, AN INTERIOR DESIGNER, FOUNDED HER OWN STUDIO IN 2019. HER WORK IS BASED ON A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO DESIGN, WHERE ART, CRAFTSMANSHIP AND ENGINEERING CONVERGE TO CREATE SPACES WITH A STRONG SENSORY DIMENSION. HER INSPIRATION SPANS MUSIC, POETRY AND A VARIETY OF CULTURES AND PLACES, LEADING TO AN EVER-EVOLVING AESTHETIC THAT ADAPTS TO EACH NEW CONTEXT.
“I want interiors to feel personal, a little imperfect and full of life.”
For those who don’t know you yet, Kristina, how would you describe yourself professionally, and what are you most passionate about when it comes to bringing a space to life?
I usually describe myself as an interior designer, but I think my approach is closer to that of an artist. I’m interested in creating an atmosphere, rather than simply designing a functional space. I also prefer to approach interiors from a scenographic and theatrical perspective rather than from a functional and timeless one. What excites me most is that moment when architecture, colour, materials, art and unexpected objects begin to evoke a particular emotion.
What words do you think best describe the concept of your home?
Personal, ever-changing, colourful, imperfect and full of collected objects. My home is almost like a laboratory to me. It’s a place where I can experiment without thinking about trends, algorithms or what’s considered ‘correct’ in interior design. It changes with me and will probably never really be finished.
What is your favourite spot in your home or your personal sanctuary, and why?
Probably the living room. It brings together many of the things that are important to me: art, unconventional materials, vintage pieces, objects I’ve collected over the years, and pieces I’ve designed myself. But, above all, I love it because that’s where life happens. For me, a home becomes beautiful through the memories and everyday rituals that take place within it.
How important do you think colour is to the experience of a space?
It’s extremely important. Colour can completely change the emotional atmosphere of a room. I don’t see it simply as a decorative element; it can make a space feel more intimate, energetic, calm or even strange. I also love unexpected colour combinations. Sometimes, a colour that’s slightly ‘off’ is precisely what makes an interior interesting.
What design trends are currently inspiring you, and how do you incorporate them into your home?
Actually, I’m trying to think less and less in terms of trends. At the moment, I’m very interested in expressive materials, glossy surfaces, unconventional wood veneers, chrome and silver finishes, ornate glass and combinations of bold colours. I also love the return of softness and a certain sense of playfulness in interiors.
In my own home, these elements come together naturally: glossy surfaces alongside shaggy textures, stainless steel and chrome combined with wood and natural stone, colourful textiles, vintage furniture and objects that don’t necessarily belong to the same era.
How do you decide which objects to include in your space? Is it an aesthetic, emotional or functional decision?
Mainly emotional and aesthetic. Of course, things have to work, but functionality on its own would never persuade me to bring something into my home. I’m drawn to objects with character – things that are strange or even ugly, handmade, weathered or imperfect. (...)
Which piece of furniture best reflects your lifestyle?
Probably my bookshelves, the vintage chests of drawers and the antique wardrobe. They hold some of the things that are most precious to me: my collection of samples of the materials I work with every day. I love the way they can constantly shift from being a functional storage space to becoming part of the interior itself.
Sometimes the materials are tucked away, and other times I want to display them in their entirety, almost like an ever-changing installation. I think this balance between collecting, creating, displaying and hiding things reflects both the way I work and the way I live.
What percentage would you say the choice of furniture accounts for in good interior design?
Perhaps 40 per cent. Furniture is incredibly important, but for me, a great interior is always a composition. The architecture, the proportions, the light, the materials, the colour, the furniture, the art and even the empty space all have to work together. You can have extraordinary furniture and still create a room that is completely devoid of interest.
A book you would recommend to an interior design student
One of the books I often return to is The Eyes of the Skin by Juhani Pallasmaa, because it talks about architecture as something we experience with our whole body, not just through our eyes.
3 tips from Kristina Busko for creating harmony in the home?
1. Don’t try to make everything match. Harmony and uniformity are not the same thing.
2. Repeat certain colours, materials or shapes throughout the space. Repetition creates a visual rhythm, even when the individual pieces are very different.
3. Leave space for personal touches. Art, books, travel souvenirs and vintage finds are often the elements that make an interior feel cohesive, because they connect it to the person who lives there.
So, what combinations of materials do you like for this season?
High-gloss lacquer with natural wood, stainless steel with soft textiles, unconventional wood veneers with stone and translucent glass, or prints combined with highly tactile materials.
I particularly love contrasts: something rough alongside something refined, something shiny alongside something soft, something new alongside something visibly aged.
What does our furniture inspire in you?
The freedom to mix and match them. I like the fact that many of the pieces can work in very different contexts. A contemporary piece can sit alongside something vintage, a work of art or a completely different material, and suddenly take on a whole new character.
Generally speaking, that’s how I like to design: not by recreating a specific style, but by creating dialogues between objects.
Why do you choose The Masie?
Because I like brands that allow furniture to have its own personality. I don’t want all the objects in an interior to disappear against a neutral backdrop. I’m drawn to pieces with an interesting silhouette, material or colour; elements that can form part of the composition rather than simply fulfilling a function.
If you could take just one design piece from any museum in the world, which one would it be?
A sculpture by Guy Bareff and a decorative jacquard by Kustaa Saksi! I love objects that fall somewhere between furniture, sculpture and art.
The Masie’s favourite track
I would definitely choose the IMOGEN coffee table
A colour
Aubergine and pistachio.
Favourite style
To be honest, I don’t believe in choosing just one, but if I had to: a blend of postmodernism, mid-century and maximalism with Mediterranean influences.
Countryside or city:
Both. I need the energy and visual stimulation of the city, but I also need nature to switch off and recharge my batteries.
Role models: Who is your interior design icon?
Among the contemporary designers: Anna Masquespacio, Cristina Celestino and India Mahdavi. Among the greats: Dorothy Draper, David Hicks and Sister Parish. Although, generally speaking, I’m more interested in gathering inspiration from many different disciplines than in following a particular designer.