Discovering your own colour: Interview with Garlanda
For Victoria, getting lost among colour charts and thousands of samples is not exactly brown. On the contrary: in this universe, she has found her better half.
At GarlandaIn her paint, paper and mouldings shop, she puts into practice everything she has been absorbing since she was a child, always surrounded by decoration materials and magazines. And you can imagine what her house is like, but we'll give you a small spoilerThe whitest thing you'll find is her cat Mia, who contrasts with everything. If you are looking for inspiration, take a look at her social media (@garlanda_casa on Instagram) and learn more about his passion in this interview.
Tell us about yourself and your work. Where did your vocation start? Any first memories?
I have always been very attracted to colour, as a child I spent a lot of time in my parents' paint shop and the paint cards fascinated me. My mother collected decorating magazines and I used to cut them out and create spaces that I imagined myself living in. That led me to study fine art and later to join the family business, from which a few years later we started Garlanda.
What do you find most satisfying about your work, and is there anything you are particularly proud of?
Colour again! What fascinates me most is finding the ideal shade for each space and need, helping people discover what they want. I feel super proud when I manage to formulate the perfect colour that the client is looking for.
What is your creative process like, what are your sources of inspiration, any particular music while working?
I always start with a search process. I am still crazy about decoration magazines, I collect them and I subscribe to several. I also spend a lot of time researching online, I am inspired by other business models and the people who visualise them. Although I enjoy music a lot, I don't usually listen to anything when I work. I get scattered easily and require a lot of concentration to start and finish tasks.
Favourite colour, book, film and record - in that order! ;D
I like everything so much that I find it hard to choose my favourites. Still, here's my selection: English red, Chronicles of the Cazalets by Elisabeth Jane Howard, The white ribbon by Michael Haneke and Pearl of Janis Joplin.
Is your home a reflection of who you are? Tell us what it smells like, your favourite corner, your favourite decorative object or piece of furniture, if you treasure a collection... And if you have a pet, introduce it to us!
My house is very eclectic, so it does reflect who I am, navigating between styles, combining everything I like. My favourite part is the view of the sunrise from the living room window. And the light, which is fundamental for me. I treasure furniture and crockery from my grandparents, I like objects with history.
I have a very hairy and white cat, Mia. She gives me a lot of allergies but I adore her.
If you could buy anything right now and take it home, what would it be? Anything!
An automatic cat hair remover. If you know of its existence, please let me know!
A great plan at home always includes...
Food, people and a lot of conversation.
Do you have a signature dish?
Every year I make two or three roscón de Reyes and they don't make it to the 7th.
Where is your favourite place in your city and abroad?
The Rose Garden in Cervantes Park, I always try to go there in May for the rose competition. I lived in Berlin for a few years, it is a city that still attracts me and satisfies me when I visit it.
Anything you want to tell us that we haven't asked you, speak now or forever hold your peace!
I feel very connected to nature and believe that it is our duty to take care of it. That is why sustainability plays a central role at Garlanda. Although we face many difficulties, we make every effort to minimise the environmental impact of what we sell.
