Natural interior design with a holistic approach in Tel Aviv

Katrin

Interview with Laurence Sevy, founder of Quietly, a holistic natural interior design studio based in Tel Aviv. Laurence focuses on the connection between physical spaces and personal well-being, she creates spaces using natural, sustainable, and healthy materials, that benefit of people and the planet.

Hi Laurence, so happy to have you here. You are an inspiration for a lot of interior designers. I am very grateful to interview you for our interior design magazine Being. Can you, please, introduce yourself? 

Laurence

I’ve worked in the field of design and interiors my whole adult life. It always involved a lot of traveling, visiting tradeshows and design weeks, giving lectures, and working to deadlines. With this intense pace, maintaining my inner peace and my sense of balance was paramount. Yoga and meditation have always been a part of my life, but I also need a serene, nurturing environment to feel grounded. I always say your home needs to be part of your wellness routine. If you eat healthy, go to acupuncture, and do reiki, but come home to a space you feel stressed in, you lose the benefits of all your hard work. This is why I design spaces that focus not only on aesthetics but on how they make you feel. Spaces that foster good energy, reconnect you with nature and balance your physical, mental, and spiritual wellness.

Katrin

Do you have any interesting facts about yourself or your studio?

Laurence

I use meditation in consultations with my clients. It helps them connect to their intuition and give their project an intention. 

I studied textile design, in Paris and then in London, but I never actually designed textiles as I needed the 3D, the space. The fabrics were too flat for me! Actually, my teachers said I should be a stylist. I guess they knew.. 

I had Designers Guild wallpaper in my bedroom when I was a girl, and I dreamt I would work with her one day (her being Tricia Guild). Then I grew up and I did. Getting the call from my agent that day was one of the proudest moments of my career.  

Katrin

What is the vision of your studio?

I design spaces that focus not only on aesthetics but on how they make you feel.

Laurence

Quietly aims to bring wellness within your walls.

Focusing on connections between physical spaces and personal wellbeing, we wish to create simple, calming spaces for quiet living, with natural materials that age gracefully and benefit human health. I believe in design that does good, and I think our homes are essential in balancing our physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. Enhancing the work of local craftspeople and designers is crucial to me as part of this commitment.

I try to surround myself with local craftsmen who make beautiful objects meant to last a lifetime. I prefer timeless materials that evolve beautifully and neutral colours that we are less likely to get tired of. That way the spaces I create can be loved for a very long time. I don’t believe in fast fashion or short trends. I’m not interested in them.

Katrin

What does it mean “natural interior design”? Can you explain this deeper for our readers? 

I use meditation in consultations with my clients. It helps them connect to their intuition and give their project an intention. 

Laurence

It means I work with natural materials as much as possible. To ensure my clients live in the healthiest space possible I use non-toxic paints and treatments, non-treated natural textiles, and textured surfaces that provide sensorial experiences. 

Studies have shown that natural surfaces that echo the products of the earth trigger instinctual parts of our brain. Seeing, smelling, and touching nature has a profound effect on our neurological system, balancing the chemicals in our bodies, and giving us a better chance to alleviate stressors. It’s good for our health, and for the health of the planet too. 

Katrin

Which role does sustainability play in your designs? 

Laurence

It’s capital. It’s something I always keep in mind in every aspect of my life. Every choice I present to my client is carefully considered and I encourage them to consume responsibly in the long term, even after we’ve stopped working together.

Katrin

There are so many incredible unique artisans and eco-friendly brands that produce furniture, paint, flooring, etc. Do you have some favorite brands? 

Laurence

So many! Supporting the work of artisans, designers, and brands conveying the same values I believe in ​​is essential for me.

Some of my favorite paint companies include Bauwerk, Auro, and Pure & Paint. Their products are 100% natural and made from organic materials. 

For furniture, I’m currently obsessed with Mater, which makes furniture from recycled industrial waste and coffee. And I love Takt. They calculate the gas emissions of every single one of their products and offset them entirely. 

But really there are so many amazing brands and talents out there. Other favorites are the ones that work on improving the construction industry. I can think of StoneCycling and Anna Saint Pierre. But really, I could talk about this for hours and find new names each minute!

Katrin

I want to ask a personal question. Which profession did you dream about when you were a kid? Was it designed already or something absolutely different?

Laurence

Haha, believe it or not, there was never any doubt about what I would do when I grew up. There were times I thought I’d work in fashion, or in architecture or theatre, but I always knew it would be creative. As early as 3 or 4 I was making all sorts of things with my mother. I remember Christmas decorations from paper and cardboard and pottery classes. And my grandmother was teaching me silk painting, and sewing.

Katrin

I believe together we can change the world for the better. Do you?:) What is your personal view on the future of our planet? 

Laurence

I sure hope so! I have days where I see the future as pretty grim and I feel terrible about the mess our children will inherit. And there are days when I see all the amazing ideas and solutions that are coming out and I feel incredible hope.

Education and design have exciting roles to play. There are already so many wonderful initiatives and projects that are offering real solutions. What we need now is for them to go mainstream!