Interior design has fascinated Teresa Pietra Torres (T) from an early age, and her degree course in design only deepened that passion. In 2016, she founded Mint Interior Design, priming it with innovation, originality, freshness and, above all else, a close relationship with the client. Madalena Sousa Cabral (M), Decorative Arts graduate, joined Mint more recently, swayed by the professional empathy she felt with Teresa, with whom she had already worked. Together, at Mint, they feel that they are "the other missing half”. This complementarity helps ensure that each project is just what the client dreamed of; that is becomes "their place”.
Mint Interior Design studio came into being in 2016. What was its goal?
T: The goal was to create a studio that was technological, with access platforms for clients, allowing easy interaction to adjust design solutions to clients’ requirements and to spaces. The Mint brand was chosen for its image of modernity and originality, in addition to reflecting the freshness we want to promote. The fact that it is an easy name to remember reinforced the choice of the brand.
You (Madalena) joined Mint more recently. What enticed you to join this project?
M: I’d known Teresa for several years and at an early stage I started working with Mint Design as a subcontractor. We soon realised that we made an excellent team; that our goals were similar and above all else that we had skills and experiences that complemented each other. We both felt that, at Mint Design, we were the other missing half.
How do coordinate yourselves during the creative process?
T: We complement each other quite well. We have a lot of professional empathy and fit in with each other very well in the way we work. We’re both familiar with every part of the process, even though we take on different responsibilities. Even with different profiles, we choose, periodically, to swap areas of responsibility between us. This exchange favours interaction, while also giving us greater versatility.
How would you define your style?
M: It’s an ongoing process that we feel will never stop. However, the fresh and current image of Mint Design can already be clearly identified in most of our projects. Also, our responsiveness, how we align with our clients and the effectiveness of our solutions are attributes recognised by the market. We always try to ensure that the end result is what the client has dreamed of; that it becomes "their place”.
"BAUHAUS IS ALWAYS PRESENT IN OUR WORK”
Designing a new project from scratch or renovating an environment?
T: Without a doubt we prefer a new project, as it gives us greater freedom of expression in terms of creativity and innovation. However, renovating an environment, although challenging, often becomes an opportunity for growth and learning that inspires and stimulates us.
Form or function? What is the main purpose of a project?
M: Function without a doubt. A project cannot have quality if its function is not explicit.
Is there an affinity between Mint Interior Design and the Bauhaus movement?
T: Bauhaus is always present in our work. It was the most important movement in the history of architecture and design. The main characteristics of the movement are our basis: comfort and functionality. To start a project we start with the concept, in which the priority is the union between design and function. The movement continues to influence today’s architects and designers due to its timelessness.
What are your hopes for the future of Mint Interior Design?
M: We want to remain united in strengthening the Mint style and building a wide community of partners and clients based on trust and supported by technology. The goal in 2020 is internationalisation, adding the Mint brand to the quality of Portuguese materials and equipment.
Mint Interior Design studio came into being in 2016. What was its goal?
T: The goal was to create a studio that was technological, with access platforms for clients, allowing easy interaction to adjust design solutions to clients’ requirements and to spaces. The Mint brand was chosen for its image of modernity and originality, in addition to reflecting the freshness we want to promote. The fact that it is an easy name to remember reinforced the choice of the brand.
You (Madalena) joined Mint more recently. What enticed you to join this project?
M: I’d known Teresa for several years and at an early stage I started working with Mint Design as a subcontractor. We soon realised that we made an excellent team; that our goals were similar and above all else that we had skills and experiences that complemented each other. We both felt that, at Mint Design, we were the other missing half.
How do coordinate yourselves during the creative process?
T: We complement each other quite well. We have a lot of professional empathy and fit in with each other very well in the way we work. We’re both familiar with every part of the process, even though we take on different responsibilities. Even with different profiles, we choose, periodically, to swap areas of responsibility between us. This exchange favours interaction, while also giving us greater versatility.
How would you define your style?
M: It’s an ongoing process that we feel will never stop. However, the fresh and current image of Mint Design can already be clearly identified in most of our projects. Also, our responsiveness, how we align with our clients and the effectiveness of our solutions are attributes recognised by the market. We always try to ensure that the end result is what the client has dreamed of; that it becomes "their place”.
"BAUHAUS IS ALWAYS PRESENT IN OUR WORK”
Designing a new project from scratch or renovating an environment?
T: Without a doubt we prefer a new project, as it gives us greater freedom of expression in terms of creativity and innovation. However, renovating an environment, although challenging, often becomes an opportunity for growth and learning that inspires and stimulates us.
Form or function? What is the main purpose of a project?
M: Function without a doubt. A project cannot have quality if its function is not explicit.
Is there an affinity between Mint Interior Design and the Bauhaus movement?
T: Bauhaus is always present in our work. It was the most important movement in the history of architecture and design. The main characteristics of the movement are our basis: comfort and functionality. To start a project we start with the concept, in which the priority is the union between design and function. The movement continues to influence today’s architects and designers due to its timelessness.
What are your hopes for the future of Mint Interior Design?
M: We want to remain united in strengthening the Mint style and building a wide community of partners and clients based on trust and supported by technology. The goal in 2020 is internationalisation, adding the Mint brand to the quality of Portuguese materials and equipment.
