Stacy Garcia

May 18, 2012

Designed to Inspire: Billy Blanco Designs

Stacy Garcia interviewed Billy Blanco Designs and we are thrilled to share the inspiring conversation! First, a little background on Billy Blanco Designs as they celebrate their fifth anniversary this week!

Billy Blanco Designs, a Miami based interior design firm, specializes in high-end residential and commercial projects. The principal designers, Billy Jurberg and David G. Blanco, combine their unique pasts to form a dynamic designing partnership. Biily’s background in the arts balances David’s architectural background. Billy Blanco Deisgns juxtaposes hard lines with soft elements that create bold, stunning, and distinctive designs that range from classical elegance to modern chic.

Recently, they completed a residential project they called "Tranquil Tones" which focused on natural elements, pulling from the property's beautiful views of the ocean. We were inspired to have some of the Stacy Garcia wallcoverings find a home in this space.

Stacy Garcia: What was the inspiration behind the design concept for this project?  Billy Blanco Designs: The inspiration behind the design concept was the Atlantic Ocean and Miami beaches.  The sand inspired the palette in the floors and walls while the aqua tones used throughout were chosen to highlight and echo the ocean.

SG: Explain to me the detail and purpose of the space for its owners.  BBD: The space serves as a vacation retreat for the residents that reside in Toronto, Canada.  The detail seen in the shot with the wallcovering is the foyer and sets the mood for the rest of the space.

(Stacy Garcia for York GS4711 Residential Wallcovering)

SG: I noticed you used an over -scaled mirror, are you seeing playing with scale as a trend?   BBD: In our projects we like to consider not only scale and proportion but balance as well,  in this case the vertical element of the mirror breaks the horizontal extension of the wall in a proportional manner that not only creates harmony.

SG: Tell me, what were some of the challenges of the space?  BBD: The foyer felt more like a hallway, so we added the vertical elements to break the length.  This space was defined by the patterned wallcovering which also created a balance of light and dark tones.

SG: I obviously love the wallcoverings you chose but I like to hear your perspective , why did the pattern make sense for the space?  BBD: The pattern was playful and had a retro feel, while the tones worked with the natural materials used throughout.

(Stacy Garcia for York GC0873 Residential Wallcoverings)

SG: The space has natural elements with a contemporary feel, how did you achieve this balance?  BBD: We worked with materials that are natural such as the wide plank oak wood floors, yet when we went to apply them, we looked for ways that utilized them in a contemporary fashion such as placing these planks up the adjacent wall which not only created a harmonious union of floor and wall but a contemporary look as well. 

SG: For someone designing their own space, how do they make their home feel well designed?  BBD: Find a balance between elements; and edit, edit, edit!

(Stacy Garcia for York GS4758 Residential Wallcoverings)

SG: Who is your dream client or what is your dream project?  BBD: An open minded individual in search of something that is new and inspiring.

SG: I sometimes say I would love to be a costume designer...if you weren’t an interior designer what would you be?  BBD: David is an architect and a designer and will always explore multi-disciplinary creative platforms.  William has had several life trades that have merged into the design of interiors and would consider the world of performing arts as a venue for his creativity.

SG: What is your favorite material to work with? BBD: We enjoy working and experimenting with materials and will always try to find a balance between wood, stone, glass and metal.

SG: Ok, finish the sentence...'My ideal Saturday consists of… ' BBD: David is attracted to anything of visual interest such as museum exhibits, performing arts, photography and movies; William enjoys the arts, cooking and spending time with family.

Thank you Billy Blanco Designs for an inspiring interview! We are inspired by so many elements of this space including the color palette, the modern and serene asethetic and the way the motifs of the wallcoverings play with the other elements in the space, particulary, Drama Queen and the light fixture in that room. To see more projects by Billy Blanco Designs, "like" their Facebook page.