GullaJónsdóttir, keeping design moving

Across the USA, China and even France, Gulla Jónsdóttir imbues interiors, buildings and furnishings with her dynamic architectural style, instilled with a sense of movement and imprinted with her unique artistic stamp. Having spent the past year working remotely from her native Iceland, she’s now rejoined her Californian team and is gradually heading back out on the road to cast an eye over her plethora of projects. These currently include hotels in Saudi Arabia and Miami Beach, a restaurant and tequila bar in Seattle, and a home in Beverly Hills, so she will soon be making her regular trip to Maison&Objet to look for inspiration, source new brands and forge ties with new partners.

What is a typical day in the life of Gulla Jónsdóttir like? 

It always starts with a coffee! I’d love to say that I then do a spot of meditation, but that’s not true! What I actually do is grab my phone and check my messages, my WhatsApps and all the emails that have come in overnight from different places and different timezones, discussing our projects. I then go and sit outside on my patio and have a second cup of coffee, gazing at my trees. It gives me time to just sit and think about my projects before the telephone starts ringing. Around 9.30am is when the working day really starts for me and my team: drawing, designing, meetings, lots of video calls. I’m currently travelling far less than usual, so I’ve made the decision to take time to live a little and to be more available for my team. We work hard, but to be honest it’s nothing but pure pleasure - it’s part of who I am, my passion. I’ve recently started designing jewellery inspired by nature or previous architectural projects. I picture a project as a 3D ring, for example, translating it to a totally different scale.

You were born in Iceland but have made California your home.

Do both places influence your work? 

The geography and nature of Iceland, its black beaches, hot springs and spectacular landscapes, are deeply rooted in my soul, along with the associated colour palette. As for California, I often draw on the Los Angeles lifestyle, with its dazzling sunshine and more relaxed vibe.

You do a lot of work for the hotel industry.

What are the main challenges you face in this sector? 

The biggest challenge is staying one step ahead. When a hotel first opens its doors, it has to feel totally cutting-edge, despite the fact that you started designing it 5 or 7 years earlier. You have to come up with a design that is timeless. It is a challenge that my team and I really love getting our teeth into. I’d say the only other challenge is trying to remain at the top of our game. Nowadays, my clients and their guests expect an authentic experience that is not solely restricted to how a space looks. My team and I always try to focus on that special something that makes a venue unique in its surroundings, and our designs stimulate all five senses. 

How is that demonstrated in your projects? 

Take one of our latest projects, for example, the Esperanza* in Manhattan Beach. It’s a Mexican restaurant that isn’t very big, but it’s a truly special place. It is inspired by the meandering Los Cabos sand dunes in Mexico, and the beaches and villages that nestle alongside the Sea of Cortez. The voluptuous building is rendered with white plaster. I do research, of course, in-keeping with the concept, and I make good use of my trusty old sketchbook. Pencil and paper are the starting point for every project. Colours, materials and 3D all come later. 

What are you looking for when you come to Maison&Objet? 

I’m usually on the lookout for furniture, accessories and objects for the projects I’m working on at the time. At the moment, I’m working on a hotel that won’t open for another 3 or 4 years, but I’m keen to see what’s new on the market today, notably in Paris. I always come across new brands that weren’t previously on my radar, and the quality is always amazing. I also see the trade fair as a place where I can forge a real working relationship with people I’ve bumped into once or twice before. That’s what happened with Laura Cheung Wolf from Lala Curio, a design house based in Hong Kong that notably produces stunning wall coverings. It was also in Paris that I first discovered an Icelandic designer, Anna Thorunn, with whom I’d love to collaborate. At Maison&Objet, you’re constantly making connections. 

*Named Best Upscale Restaurant 2021 by Hospitality Design magazine.