Robert Couturier
“The depth of trust and collaboration between clients and designers. Nothing happens in a void and the client is the inspiration!”
INTERVIEW
Everything inspires me. I have a huge memory and of course, a very visual one, so I can go through the files in my brain and retrieve information and images stored forever in the recesses of my mind. That is the dreaming part, or the instant recall sometimes. And then I put things in order, but/and always the client is the inspiration. We don’t work in a vacuum; we work for people!
I have always been fascinated by houses architecturally and decoratively, and I have always been studying all various styles from all places in the world, it became natural to go on studying architecture and interior design. I started working in the late 70’s for friends in Paris, and it became quite clear that working in the US was a very logical move.
There have been collections of moments, but not one single one that defined my career. I have always approached design and decoration in quite a scholarly fashion and probably somewhat too intellectually.
My favorite type of clients are those I love and who have very definite ideas about the way they want to live and what they choose to surround themselves with. There is nothing I hate more than carte blanche because nobody is that indifferent to their surroundings.
The depth of trust and collaboration between clients and designers. Nothing happens in a void, and the client is the inspiration!
Pragmatic and managing of the projects; somebody said to a famous designer one day:
“But you have such a fascinating, creative job!”
To which the designer answered:
“Pleasure and creation are 5% of the job, the other 95 % are solving problems…”
Forget everything creative you have learned at school; it’s completely pointless, and only remember the boring lessons, like mathematics, geometry, and organization; that’s what you’ll need on a daily basis!
There is no ideal place, it is all dependent on how I feel at that particular moment. It can be at home, in the office, on a plane, in a car… it doesn’t matter to me.
Not sure there is any typical day at work… There is always an element of surprise on any one day.
Again, it depends on absolutely everything; the particulars of each job dictate what I am going to use.
I have been tremendously influenced by the 17th and 18th Centuries in all aspects artistically, intellectually, and architecturally, and yet I am not a classicist per se. I love contemporary architecture and art, and use it in my work. I am influenced by the times we live in and everything that I have seen and experienced.
Too many to name!
Fantasy, humor, and rigor.
You have to be a voracious reader in our business. One should not limit oneself to any one thing!
Thank you so much Robert, for this lovely interview!
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3 comments
Mary Krueger
Talent, intellect, humor, and passion… 4 words that come to mind immediately when I think of Robert. Having had the honor to work in several of his client homes, keeps us on our toes to assure the quality of our ephemeral creations live up to the standard he has set. Robert’s work is a constant source of inspiration. LOVE the article
Mona de Sayve
Great interview
Bravissimo
Robert Charles Montano
M. Courturier is one of the most talented and well-respected designers living today!