Pia Capdevila: “Interior design is not a profession that can be taught, you must have a passion for what you do”

Passion and care. These are the adjectives that best define the essence of the Barcelona interior design and events studio Pia Capdevila. A place where spaces are created with personality, elegance, and, above all, special for each of its clients. Because Pia Capdevila is like that: a restless and empathetic soul, full of positivity and perseverance. That's why her work exudes dedication, attention to detail, perfection, and, above all, naturalness.

Her latest design projects have been joined by the decoration of the interior of one of the apartments located in the NN Promotion Illa Augusta, a new residential complex situated right in the heart of Sarrià. Today, as she shows us the result and explains her commitment to turning this space into a home, we chat with her about her professional career, her projects, and of course, about Christmas decoration.

Pia, what are the words that you think best define you? And those that best define your style?

The words optimism, empathy, and transparency define me well. My style, we could say, combines classic but contemporary lines, without leaning too much into classicism. I work with a very neutral palette. I like neutral bases, to then be able to apply splashes of color that can be changed over time. And timeless, that's another word I like to use to define my style.

When did your calling emerge and you decided that you want to dedicate yourself to the world of interior design?

I decided to become an interior designer just after finishing my studies in high school. All my life I had thought about becoming a doctor, but one day I woke up and decided that no, medicine was not for me and that I preferred to pursue the artistic side. My father is an architect, but I had never considered following in his footsteps in this sector, and one day I woke up and decided. I also knew that I didn't want to be an architect and that what I liked was decoration, interior design, thinking through projects carefully and then, of course, styling them. And so I embarked on the adventure of interior design.

How was the Pia Capdevila interior design studio founded?

It's something I've been very clear about since I started studying. I'm very restless, very, very restless and I've always known that I wanted to work for myself. While I was studying, I worked and trained with a lot of interior designers, and once I finished my studies, two friends and I decided to set up a firm. We were three partners and it all started as a story of three friends which, in the end, dissolved. Each of us went our own way and I decided that my path was to continue alone. I committed to it. Since then, it has been and is a constant struggle and an incredible effort, but after 15 years of going at it alone on this adventure, I can say that the rewards I reap are enormous. I am delighted to have created the team that I have, to have trained people who have gone through my studio and who have also embarked on their own stories. It's a great experience and I'm going to keep moving forward and continue to grow.

What services do you offer?

I started with residential and I continue to offer it because it's a part of interior design that I love, but over the years and with experience, we have been expanding into the hotel industry with all kinds of projects, larger hotels, smaller ones. The hotel and residential sectors are, above all, what lead the firm. We also do offices. I like that I haven't been pigeonholed into one particular thing, we have all kinds of clients, we have very diverse clients and projects and that is something that motivates me more every day.

¿Qué te pareció la Promoción Illa Augusta cuando la visitaste por primera vez? Y una vez en el piso: ¿Qué te transmitió el espacio?

The spaces designed by Núñez i Navarro are indeed warm, and I find them to be an excellent foundation to work from a decoration standpoint, which is what I have been tasked with in this case. The base, the materials, are very much in line with the decorative themes we have outlined in this interior design project. The colors used by Núñez i Navarro, the lighting... they are spaces that convey calmness and serenity. They are not at all stressful.

What features of apartments and houses do you consider important for interior design to be successful?

Light is extremely important. That all spaces meet the needs you have when you are looking for an apartment. And then I always say, let the space welcome you, that when you enter that space you say 'I can see myself here'.

What does the decor and design you have chosen for this apartment convey?

It's an apartment for a young couple, so we've aimed to ensure it primarily provides warmth and brightness. We've chosen light tones and lines that match their style, ensuring it isn't overdone, yet remains elegant and understated. We've made the most of it through well-selected pieces.

How do we achieve the balance between aesthetics and comfort that makes us 'feel at home'?

I believe that by carefully selecting materials and shades that convey feelings, we can achieve this balance between aesthetics and comfort. For instance, linen or cotton is more comfortable than leather. It's also important to choose a range of tones and materials that visually don't cause stress, that everything is very cohesive. Then you can add a touch of natural fibers, or mix two different types of wood that complement each other. It's about finding the balance of the pieces. How I find this balance, I can't define it for you, because in the end it's a bit of inspiration, of seeing pieces, mixing them in your head, and visualizing how they will look. Often we ourselves do tests and decide that no, that doesn't work and we change it. You have to experiment and you have to dare, these two parameters are essential. People sometimes don't dare because of 'fear of' and I think it's unnecessary. Hey, you have to try, and if you don't like it you change it.

What qualities are essential in people working in an interior design studio to hit the nail on the head?

This is a very rewarding profession, but also very tough at the same time. I always say and explain this. You must have a passion for what you do, it's not a profession that can be taught to you, you need to have a calling and carry it within. This is something I ask of my team, I don't ask that they know more or less, but that they truly have a calling, curiosity, the desire to search, to create, to dare to teach and to test what is being created. We often make mistakes, I myself have learned a lot from a thousand errors. But it really is essential to let yourself go and to keep the positive reading. It's very demanding in the field of construction management and project management, this is the most complicated part, but I believe that, with patience, tenacity, and knowing how to lead a bit, things can be achieved. It's a profession very much about the day-to-day, working hard and, obviously, about getting your clients to call you for everything. Creating a portfolio of repeat clients, this for me is fundamental.

The strangest or most surprising request that has been made to you...

Once I was asked to create a miniature golf course in a basement. It was a very fun project in Marbella, in the basement of a house where we recreated a mini-golf course, complete with murals of landscapes on the walls.

Eco-sustainability is an increasing demand across all sectors of society. In decoration, is there also a greater preference from customers for pieces, eco-friendly materials, recycled items, etc.?

Still not at 100%. It's up to us to really offer more and think about why, unfortunately, the budgets and awareness are not at the same level, so often when choosing a piece that is more sustainable but more expensive, sometimes it's the first thing to be sacrificed.

What does Barcelona mean to you?

Barcelona is my city of reference and I am truly proud to have been born in this city, which is beautiful, has the sea, which to me is impressive, and which is and has been, a major benchmark in design and architecture worldwide.

What elements of the house make it a home?

Books and art. I am someone who generally values books and art very much. In my house, my favorite item is my beloved Tàpies painting. And with my clients, I find that I like to convey this love of mine for art and books and have it be part of the decoration. And then, of course, something that is very much me, textiles. I cannot conceive of a home without textiles, without cushions, without curtains, etc.

And now that Christmas is approaching... What decorative elements do you think create the most Christmas atmosphere in a home?

The tree, undoubtedly, for me a Christmas without a tree is not Christmas. The garlands too, I like to place them on fireplaces, shelves, and also the candles. And I am a fanatic about dressing up the Christmas tables. In fact, during these holidays, which are a bit strange, we launched a series of Christmas table decorations designed by me. We offer a service to set up and take down the table for you. We have made 5 ranges, with five different styles, very different from what we have established in our minds as a Christmas of red, silver, gold, and green tones. To look for a bit of this joy and excitement. To me, it's a time of the year that I have always liked a lot and I believe that we must not lose the excitement.

And, to conclude, any advice for stylishly decorating homes for Christmas?

I believe that one must dare, and that's what I've done in the Christmas table proposal we presented. Why can't Christmas be pink, lilac, or blue? We've made a beautiful blue table. It combines blue with golds and greens, with Christmas balls in a grayish blue, with hydrangeas, which are also not a typical plant for this holiday. We also have a black and white table proposal, with polka dots and stripes. You probably would never consider a Christmas with polka dots and stripes, but mix in some stars, garlands, and you can make it feel like Christmas. Truly, I believe that daring to create different things is wonderful. And it's never a mistake, on the contrary, it always generates surprise.