Svjetlana Prole, architect - Interior design through the prism of fashion and art

She built her personal mark in interior design by combining fashion, art and architecture. In fact, her profession integrated her interests. Although she always tries to push the boundaries, take risks and experiment, she says that the most important thing for interior work is a "neutral base". Everything starts from that and depends on how the space will be further "dressed up".

Svjetlana Prole, architect and interior designer from Banja Luka, is a fan of classicism applied in a contemporary way, so you can often see elements of that style in her interiors. In addition, she tries to "listen well to the client", his requests and the experience of the space.

Prole and her team recently completed the interior design project of the Integra Hotel in Trebinje. They say that Trebinje got a hotel that matches its character - charming, unburdened, spontaneous, and the mentality of this climate was the inspiration for the style they will apply in the facility.

Four years ago, she started an interior design school in Banja Luka through Studio Prole, which for her is much more than a place for education.

- I had the opportunity to experiment during my studies, and even worked in the fashion industry for a period of time. Interior design is a field that integrated my interests, where architecture is the basis for the functional organization of space, fashion represents the relationship between the aesthetic needs of modern man, while art ultimately comes as a subjective experience of each individual.

Understanding fashion and the opportunity to get to know the industry gave me the chance to better understand the application of materials, implement current trends in the space and with fashion, as the interest of many, I better understand the psychology of clients and respond to their expectations more easily.

- The most important thing is to take advantage of the opportunity to listen to the client well. I pay attention to how they perceive the space and how compatible their requirements are with the space. Then my task is to try to balance all of that in a creative way, after which something completely authentic is created.

- In my work, I always try to push boundaries, take risks and experiment. However, what I most often repeat and advise my students on the interior design course is a neutral base. When we have a good parquet floor and neutral walls, we can, as I like to say, "dress up" the space and build it up over time. Also, I am a fan of classicism applied in a contemporary way, so elements of that style can often be found in my interiors.

- That is always a dilemma. I would say - a compromise. Sometimes clients insist more on functionality, sometimes on aesthetics. Balance is a measure.

- I like to work best when I have a clear project task and the trust of the client. Such clients get the most.

- Lately, I`ve been trying to push all the ideas through my so-called timeless filter. I think that in this way the interiors get added value and simplicity.

- In fact, Trebinje got a hotel that matches its character: charming, unburdened, spontaneous. Through our work at the Integra Hotel in Trebinje, we had the opportunity to meet the locals who gave us the clearest guidelines on how to approach the interior. They want quiet luxury, appreciate art and culture and consciously enjoy the beauty of the combination of Mediterranean and continental climates that can rarely be found anywhere else. Our view of their mentality was reflected through an eclectic style, the use of antiques and the most diverse decor.

- The interior design school has been in existence for four years and over 70 students have gone through it. It was started in 2020 when, due to restrictions during the pandemic, we were all eager to socialize and have activities that will brighten up our everyday life. That`s when I realized that this education is more than a place where you can acquire knowledge in the field of interior design. School is first and foremost a place for socializing with like-minded people, a place for personal growth and fulfillment of the wishes of the child within.

No previous knowledge is required, and the participants come from a wide variety of fields. It is interesting that the youngest attendee was 16, and the oldest 50, so everyone is welcome. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate of completion of the school of design, which was the reason for some of them to change their job. The school lasts three months and is an excellent foundation for anyone who wants to get to know this field. In addition to my theoretical and practical lectures, we also visit furniture and ceramics showrooms and get to know the process of interior design in a special way.

I am happy that the interest is increasing year by year, so we always have a list of interested parties even before the announcement of the new term. We are currently in the process of preparing a new concept of work, which we will start in October.

- I believe in the power of social networks, but I also believe that those who love their work can easily become recognizable. On social networks, I share a small part of my work in relation to the dynamics that social networks today expect. As in my business in general, I choose to focus on quality on social media. After finishing the project that I want to show, I share the most interesting ones, and I treat my Instagram profile as a personal archive of both projects and what inspires me.

Vedrana Marković