Meet Cristina Fernández Jorge | Architect & Interior Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cristina Fernández Jorge and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cristina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

I want to thank you for the opportunity to present La Villa Interior Design to all Shoutout readers. Well, like almost all charming stories, La Villa deepens its roots on my childhood, I would even say, before I was born.

My mother was a dressmaker. She ran a small design and tailoring business at home. She inherited the know-how and some tools from my grandmother who, after the Spanish civil war ended, was sent to learn the trade with one of the best tailors in the country. So, my house was a universe of colors and textures, deliciously feminine. Women came in and out, spent time speaking, drinking coffee, and trying on their dresses basted of frustrations and desires. In the end, each design was unique; it had its own personality, its necessary function, its unrepeatable story. But together, they were part of something much bigger: women who were fighting for their economic independence and who dreamed, while they breastfed us, of being able to send us to university.

My mother spent the years like “Penelope”, unstitching and stitching the curtains in the house, hiding every penny she earned in the folds at the bottom of the fabric. Thus, I was able to go to college and graduate as an architect and, at the age of twenty-eight, founded my first business.

Throughout these almost twenty years, I have wanted to listen each unique story of my clients. To dress the spaces with their own personality, their necessary function, their unrepeatable history. Because in each of them I sometimes recognize myself – and in others I discover myself – as part of an era that also has its own dreams.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I always believed in craftsmanship, in detail. I believe in noble and natural materials. And when the COVID locked us in our homes, I remembered an excerpt from Fernando Pessoa “The Book of Disquiet” that goes something like this:

“He had furnished – it is impossible that it was not at the expense of some essential things – with a certain and approximate luxury in its two rooms. He had taken special care of the chairs – with armrests, deep, soft -, the curtains and the rugs. He said that in this way an interior was created “to maintain the dignity of boredom”. In the modern bedroom, boredom becomes discomfort, physical pain.”

Minimalism – misunderstood – is the worst of the pandemics. After what we have experienced, it is no longer possible to endure so much coldness, so much asepsis, so much artificiality. There is, more than ever, an urgent need to return to nature and reconcile with it. And that is exactly what we offer: a return to fabrics, wood, clay, plants and flowers… the shade of a pergola. Our design is the result of a journey that began in the Mediterranean – where we learned about light – passing through Germany – where we learned from artisans – and finally Brazil – where we learned about warmth.

We treat each project in a unique and personal way with an approach to craftsmanship, use of light and warm materials. Our design studio is not a factory; it is an atelier. We take few projects and follow them closely from the beginning until the end when are handed to our clients. The path must be as rewarding as the final result.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

There is so much to do and experience!

We would start by exploring the vibrant design of Art Deco District in Miami Beach, with his terrazzo floors, molded ceilings and tropical colors. Later head to South Beach, with its trendy bars and clubs. There are plenty of amazing restaurants to choose like Santorini as well as top spots for drinks including The Broken Shaker and Sweet Liberty.

The next stop would be the beach in Crandon Park, soaking up the sun, enjoying the beautiful sunset after tasting the best paella at the Chiringuito Open Seas.

I love walking through the historical villas of Coral Gables under the shadow of its magnificent trees and stopping by Tinta y Café for a delicious treat.

A visit to Wynwood Walls is a must, and explore the unique street art in the area. If you have time, sign up to do the graffiti experience. You will see it is not as easy as it seems!

Last but not least would visit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a stunning mansion and gardens surrounded by lush greenery, and enjoy art and history in a magical place.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

My family.

And to all the people who have inspired me throughout my life.

Instagram: @lavilla_interiordesign