Maria José González: “Interior design is part of a company's identity”

Espaciodeco offers an online decorating service that incorporates virtual reality and is adaptable to all budgets

“In Spain, hiring a decorator is still considered a luxury, but we want it to be a mass service that's affordable for everyone”. With this statement, Maria José González, founder of Espaciodeco, encapsulates the mission of her company that offers “an online decorating service that incorporates virtual reality” adaptable to all budgets.

The virtual decoration projects made for Núñez i Navarro in office buildings such as Marina Factory in Hospitalet de Llobregat or on Diputació street are theirs. Functional, pleasant, and welcoming workspaces where employees and clients feel comfortable. Through this interview, we want to get to know them a little better:

How did Espaciodeco start and who is behind it?

This is our second internet project. The first one, Niumba, a vacation rental portal that we founded in 2004, was sold to TripAdvisor in 2013. A year after the sale, several members of the Niumba team embarked on this new adventure. Both companies are startups incubated by the Intercom Group, a launcher of portals such as Infojobs, En Alquiler or Bodas.net among others.

What types of services do you offer?

We cater to individuals who want to decorate or give a new look to any room in their house, as well as to developers and real estate agencies to help them sell their properties faster. Virtual Decoration reveals what a decorated room can look like. We also work with commercial spaces, restaurants, offices, etc., and we also offer in-person services, especially when a renovation is required.

Do you operate only in Barcelona?

Basically in the national environment, although we have received requests from other countries. As it is an online and purely photographic service where it is not necessary to travel, we can provide service anywhere in the world and language is not an inconvenience.

What is the decoration process carried out by Espacio Deco upon a client's request?

In the case of real estate agencies and individuals who want to sell an apartment, they send us a photo or a floor plan of the space they wish to decorate virtually, and within 7 days we deliver a project with a decoration proposal providing information about the chosen furniture, price, store where it is sold, etcetera. We take into account the environment of the property and the intended use, and we deliver the project with before and after images to make clear the real possibilities it offers. It is very fast and simple. When it comes to an individual or a company that wants to decorate the space, but not for selling it, we conduct an online test that helps us understand their taste or favorite stores and we adapt to their style and budget.

Where does the inspiration come from when conducting a study?

Pinterest is quite inspiring, although we also find inspiration in art, exhibitions, interesting books, or in some space we've discovered during a trip.

What is the predominant or most in-demand style currently?

The market is at a midpoint where cleaner spaces are combined with some classic and contemporary pieces, seeking warmth and comfort. The mid-century modern style is currently very popular, as well as interiors with a contemporary French style, warm spaces that are neither too cluttered nor minimalist. Although the Nordic style still predominates and is in high demand.

Does the fact that a decoration is for Barcelona, Madrid, or Valladolid influence it a lot? In other words, are there trends by location?

Undoubtedly. There can be different styles depending on the city. The decorators themselves have their own style when it comes to decorators from Madrid, decorators from Barcelona, and so on. Nor is it the same to decorate in an urban environment as it is in a rural or beach setting.

How often is it advisable to change the decoration of an apartment or an office?

In the case of an office, ideally it should be renovated every 5 to 7 years at most. The image conveyed to the client is very important, and the interior design is also part of a company's identity. In a home, it will depend on the quality, wear and tear, and also the style of the furniture, although it is necessary to refurbish a bathroom or a kitchen every 10-12 years.

The IKEA phenomenon, does it help to have a more uniform decoration or does it make us lose our sense of direction?

It can be positive for people who live temporarily in a city and do not need to invest in quality furniture, for those who share an apartment, or for those with lower purchasing power who do not want to give up living in modern spaces. The downside is that it's a 'global' style. They sell the same pieces in every city, with nothing that is special or exclusive.

In that regard, it's always advisable to mix things up, just as it happens with fashion. That adds a personal touch to our image. A home with IKEA elements combined with more original pieces can be beautiful and unique without the need to spend a lot of money.

What would you highlight about the offices you have decorated for Núñez i Navarro?

Without a doubt, the dimensions of the spaces and their location have great potential. We have sought to create functional, pleasant workspaces. Offices where employees and clients feel comfortable. In this case, we have been working hand in hand with Núñez y Navarro. We have sent them various styles and they have been choosing according to their type of clients. The trend is to combine office furniture with accessories that also fit in a living room or a lounge. Thus, the result is more welcoming.