Creative

Studio Shkafa: the inspiration behind the successful interior projects

Studio Shkafa opened in 2013 as a shop for home accessories and country style by the interior designer Miglena Stumbova.


In 2017, the popular store officially gave way to design, and success was not long in coming. In 2020, Studio Shkafa was nominated for the prestigious German Design Awards. The interior design studio continues to create working concepts to deliver aesthetic pleasure to all seekers, dreamers, and non-standard thinking people.

We are talking with Miglena Stumbova about the concept and the process of realization of even the boldest ideas.

Created with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio ShkafaCreated with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio Shkafa

 

Tell us about studio Shkafa studio? How did it all start?

I graduated interior design when I was already a mother and because of this, I could not take the responsibility of a full-time job as an interior design intern. I opened a shop for interior decoration and I was hoping that customers will like the way the store is decorated and I will attract them as a creative person. It worked. After 4 years and 3 locations, lots of fans, and 5 fully finished interior design projects my business extended into an independent interior design studio.

Created with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio Shkafa

Created with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio Shkafa

Where are your customers from?

I have customers only from Bulgaria; however, we have projects in the cities of Plovdiv, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, and Samokov. For sure many others will come soon.

 

53072456_396354224264434_5452875931947368448_nCreated with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio Shkafa

What is the key to winning a big client?

In my opinion, for every client, there is a suitable interior designer. Every designer has their strengths and there is no universal designer. The clients accept the designer first for their portfolio, then the good communication, the empathy that the designer shows, and the value that the designer will add to the customer’s project.

 

Created with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio ShkafaCreated with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio Shkafa

 

Do you think you can win a European/USA client?

Yes, my team and I are completely prepared to meet the needs of anyone who recognizes our work as theirs.


Do you remember your first creative impulse and where have you worked before?

My creative impulse as an interior designer originated from working as a designer in my own home. Afterward, I ended up turning it into my profession and passion.

 

Created with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio ShkafaCreated with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio Shkafa

What is your favorite project?

My favorite project is always the next one. I live for expressing myself in my projects and once I have finished a project I am ready for a new challenge.

 

Created with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio ShkafaCreated with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio Shkafa


Do you work with international partners?

Yes, mainly suppliers of components for my projects.

 

How important is the speed when you work with clients and how do you balance their usual rush and the quality you aim to deliver?

The speed is always very important, but the time invested in creating the concept and the ideas is precious. It is very important to understand completely the client’s needs, expectations and dreams. After that comes time for the precise organization of all the processes, contractors, deliveries, and installations.

 

Created with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio ShkafaCreated with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio Shkafa

 

How did you get into visualization?


It is very important to align your vision with the client. The visualization helps in the process between the design team and the client. When the client is calm and confident with the design concept the process of realization goes smooth.

 

Created with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio ShkafaCreated with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio Shkafa

 

Is there a secret for perfect visualization?

The key is in the detail. For perfect visualization, you have to be very aware of the details, the lights, and the mood of the picture.


Is there anything you wish you knew earlier when you started working in your industry?


I wish I were more prepared for working with clients. It is really important for a designer to be confident in their vision, but also take into consideration the needs of their client. It takes a lot of time to get to the perfect designer-client relationship balance, where the client respects your vision and there is mutual understanding.

 

Created with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio ShkafaCreated with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio Shkafa

 

You have completed some great interior design projects. Was there any peculiarity during the work process?

The work process differs depending on the client. The most peculiar thing in every project is getting into the client’s mindset and trying to make their vision come true. Every person is peculiar in a different way. Also, every project has different obstacles.


What would be your advice for all the beginners in your industry who want to master their skills?

My advice to anyone who is starting out in the interior design field is to make sure they get the right education. Not only when it comes to a design degree, but also when it comes to software education. Being able to use design software is really important in the field of interior design because this is the medium one uses in order to be able to represent their vision to their clients.

 

Created with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio ShkafaCreated with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio Shkafa


What software do you usually use?

SketchUp and V-Ray

 

What is the advantage of SketchUp?

SketchUp is flexible. One can create various objects and components easily in a matter of minutes. Also, there is a vast library of products designers can benefit from the use of.


Can you select your TOP 3 SketchUp features that saved you tons of work?

Measuring tool for setting guides, all the different plugins one can upload on the software, scaling.

 

Created with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio ShkafaCreated with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio Shkafa

 

What is the advantage of V-Ray?

V-Ray is very good at lighting and materials, it is easy to use once one gets used to it and it produces realistic visuals.


Can you select your TOP 3 V-Ray features that saved you tons of work?

Lighting, surrounding environment (good for window views), creating materials.

 

Created with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio ShkafaCreated with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio Shkafa

 

Do you believe computer graphics is the future? And will we see the end of the product photography soon?

I believe that for a designer computer graphic is important, but there is a lot of sides of the profession which need to be physical. A designer needs to get inspired and experience his surroundings to produce unique designs, which sometimes could mean choosing products and materials from a physical gallery, not a software one.

 

Created with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio ShkafaCreated with V-Ray for SketchUp by Studio Shkafa

 

Since you are very sensitive to the copyright topic (as all the creative people actually) why is it important to use legal software?

In the same way, I would not want anyone to plagiarize my work and the dedication I have invested into it; I would not like to do it to anyone else. Intellectual property is of high value to me, therefore I respect other people’s work.


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Find Studio Shkafa here:

https://www.studioshkafa.com/
https://www.facebook.com/StudioShkafA
https://www.instagram.com/shkafa_designstudio/
https://www.pinterest.com/miglenastumbova/_created/

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