What makes me so happy as a writer at Design*Sponge is our constant effort to share with you a variety of homes and homeowners from all over the country (and even the world!). There will always be room to widen both our views and understanding of interiors and design and what they mean to people in different cultures and societies. Today I’m so thrilled to introduce you to Lena Späth, first-time author and publisher, whose book Behind Closed Curtains offers a peek into some of the most beautifully decorated private homes in Iran.
Lena, who grew up in Germany and currently resides in Spain, first became acquainted with Iranian interiors during her Middle Eastern Studies exchange in Tehran. She was instantly drawn to the deep heritage and architectural mastery of the buildings that surrounded her — the contrast between grandeur and simplicity along with the natural materials, earthy colors and elaborate designs made a big and long-lasting impression. When Lena decided to leave her full-time job in Barcelona two years ago, she knew her path would lead her back to Iranian culture and design. “It was important for me to tell the stories of Iranians — the people behind these houses — and explain Iranian culture along with the design elements,” she says. “A book on beautiful, private places would also draw attention away from politics and onto design and architecture — it would illustrate a positive and especially human face of Iran.”
To embrace herself with Iranian interiors and to be invited behind those closed curtains, Lena spent several months traveling around Iran, getting to know locals and receiving plenty of help from friends and strangers alike. “It was great to see how [my] own passion can inspire others and how much my friends and family, as well as people who did not know me, supported me and the project,” she shares. On top of allowing others to see the beauty of Iranian homes, writing and publishing the book has also been a personal victory and milestone for Lena. “Making it to the end, printing this book and receiving so much positive feedback opened my eyes to what I am truly capable of.”
Lena’s book Behind Closed Curtains – Interior Design in Iran is available to order through her own website, Amazon and other well-equipped bookstores. —Sofia
Photography by Hamed Farhangi
Image above: Earthy tones, stunning architectural details and colorful textiles make up Vida Kalantari’s living room in Kashan, Iran.
Image above: Lena Späth’s book, Behind Closed Curtains – Interior Design in Iran.
from Design*Sponge http://www.designsponge.com/2018/04/qa-interior-design-in-iran-peeking-behind-closed-curtains-with-lena-spath.html
from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/172554666819
No comments:
Post a Comment