Oksana Kashenko: Roberto Provasi, the owner of the factory, did not mind the eclecticism in this new salon?

Leonid Zaitsev: When he saw our interior, he was surprised: he believed that my predilections for a more modern solution would dominate in me. The entire period of work I sent the drawings, and I said that I would do differently. And in the end, I did really differently, but absolutely in the spirit PROVASI. Have you noticed that the interior has a muffled light? This is precisely because it is impossible to show such furniture in neutral lighting. Must be theatricality. Spotlights are brought to each object that highlight seemingly completely non-key elements. The beam falls on a beautiful fracture of the velvet curtain, on a combination of velvet and silk lining curtains, emphasizing the depth, complexity and richness of textures. Another ray shows a piece of sofa cushion. Therefore, we perceive the sofa is not entirely, and exploded. The searchlights highlight the texture of the upholstery, all kinds of details, braid, fringe ... It is very important that in this case each element of the interior works.

 - Yes, I felt it and realized that this is a product that I like to present, with which I would like to work. And do it for real. I believe that a brand is first of all a concept, a concept of lifestyle, and not furniture or super popular models. And it can not be viewed as a sofa or as a chest of drawers. This can be perceived only in aggregate, like some gastronomic dish. If the cook does something exquisite, then individually the ingredients cannot be considered as a dish, they will work exclusively in combination. And if you try not to put something in there or put it on the wrong plate, decorate it incorrectly, then everything, the dish will not work. Therefore, we must not be afraid and boldly mix styles. If we take only the classic line - a table, a console, chairs, a classic chandelier ... well, it will also be PROVASI, but only on the ownership of items, and not in fact the style of the factory.

 - What is the point?

 - Surely there are different styles, but from the same historical era. it XVIII-XIX vector, Traditions of old Italian masters: sophisticated finishes, finest carving, exquisite textiles. And it is precisely this which today is for me the concept of style and lifestyle. Our audience is people from 40 years old who have played enough hi-tech toys and came to the classics, understanding that this is generic, that children can leave it, that such an interior will not be subject to transient fashion.

 - But what about the opinion that the interior must constantly change something?

 - This is a bad opinion. It's like changing friends every five years. While you are young and your worldview has not yet taken shape, you can experiment, but then a certain moment comes when you begin to understand what true values ​​are. There are things that do not need to be changed, but to add something to the interior - I am always in favor! A person has the right to change some things, but the style of the house will still be constant.

 - And what furniture is at your home?

 - In Peredelkino, where I now live, I wanted to preserve the atmosphere of the old writing dacha, especially since the house was built before the war. Therefore, the furniture was mainly bought in antique shops or on some ruins, restored or, on the contrary, "washed off" from too careful restoration. But in the new house, which I am only building, everything will be different. I specifically do not do a design project, because ideas come spontaneously. For example, where a house is being built, century-old trees grow, and the sun can get into the house only when it is at its zenith. That is why I suggested to the architect (and my good friend, a wonderful architect Boris Uborevich-Borovsky helps me) in the finished project to change the roof and make a lantern so that the house had the sun. It will probably be the same with furniture: in the process of finishing I will change the decision, since I like both minimalist and glamorous things. But one thing I know for sure: it will be a house in which it will be cozy, warm and not boring. Come to me in a year ...

 - We often ask this question to our guests ... What is luxury for you?

 - Luxury for me is freedom of creativity. If we consider the issue in a global sense. Because to say that this is a personal plane, a personal ship ... This is not a luxury, it is just a measure of money ... But freedom of creativity is a luxury. Because you can afford to do what you want. You are not dominated by financial performance or customer opinions. And this applies to everything - and life, and the ability to spend time with anyone you want. I would say that this is such an inner freedom from stereotypes and conventions.

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