The name of Julian Tahov stands for a couple of notions: avant-garde style, provocation, and definitiveness of the means of expression. A sculptor by education, Julian Tahov imposes a new and a different take on design and architecture, changing the common understanding of the classic styles. Some time ago we introduced one of his emblematic projects – the Sin City club in Sofia. Now we offer you a virtual tour in one newly finished private home designed by him, marked by the typical Julian Tahov's spirit and design.
What were the owner's requirements?
They wanted their home to be different and more interesting, to stand out with luxury...
In this case, where did the concept for the interior come from?
It's mainly my idea. Of course, I had some preliminary conversations with the owners in order to see how they felt about it, to understand their preferences. This is very important for the success of every project, especially when we talk about a home interior. This is the place where a man spends a big part of his time. It's here where he returns from his workday in order to chill out and relax. Also we shouldn't overlook the fact that the home interior doesn't change every other year or two, the way it is with club interiors. That's why I tried to achieve two different, even contrasting ends – to create a warm and cozy home atmosphere while combining it with dynamics; and I aimed at completing a stylish, unostentatious interior glutting the space with details, in order for it to attain certain pompousness. This is the goal that I've been chasing for years; achieving a modern, pompous design responding to the contemporary demands, using new materials, relevant to the people's expectations.
What were the specificities of the space that you had to take into consideration?
The living space had a lot of windows, very low with very little light going in. That’s why I decided to use mirrors. They, on one hand, increase the light and on the other hand visually enlarge its volume.To me forming the interior resembles the sculptor's work a lot: you take some elements out in order to expand the volume and then you add details which „swallow“ some of the space and thus you constantly change the surroundings, you make it more vivid, more interesting.
People don't often see all the details but they perceive them subconsciously and this determines their full perception for the things around them.
I call this concept “developing an interior in depth”. First you see a composition of elements, then the element itself, and in that element you see the smaller details, etc. It's exactly this perspective that I'm looking for.
All the furniture in the interior is designed and completed in your studio: from the tables to the upholstered furniture, cupboards, lights... What were the main materials that you used?
My observations are that we still like the wenge a lot in Bulgaria. That's why I decided to use it in my own way in combination with metal, leather, stone, and opal. I also choose decorative elements with many details that help me form different compositions. For example I made the pilasters in the living room in meanders and integrated light. In order to add space, I combined them in a joint ensemble where they take turns with vertical mirrors. I wanted to make a reference to the classical alcove, whose columns divide and in the meantime link the inner with the outer space. In terms of the bedroom, it faces north and it was quite dark. That's why I used opal there: it creates a sense of depth and visually enlarges the room in combination with the reflections...
In terms of the garden, it's inspired by the Italian traditions with their classical architecture forms and rich greenery. I used colonades, which marked the different sections: the barbecue, the play corner, and the relaxation area... They helped me work on the depth of the yard. The meticulously arranged elements always create a deeper perspective. The colonnades also helped me “separate” the park from the house.
And at the end, to wind up: what are the most important tasks you plan on completing before you start a new project?
As I said before, the necessity to respond to your client's requirements and needs comes first. As a result of them, I develop the concept for the whole architecture, for the style of the interior, for the means of expression that I'm going to use. I always try to create something interesting and different, something to move people and give the pleasure. To constantly surprise and provoke people with my projects is of equal importance to me. I want to see something new and different wherever I look...