Hola,

This week I was supposed to talk about interiors. But then again, we always end up talking about interiors, don’t we? Whether it’s colours, materials, or feelings… it all ends up being part of the same language.

Today though, it’s a different kind of post. Less about what we see and more about what’s underneath. It’s a story — a real one — something that happened just a few days ago, and strangely enough, it brought back a memory from years ago. Think of this as the kind of conversation I’d have over coffee with a colleague, a supplier, a client… or maybe even you.

The Present Moment

A few days ago, I visited a showroom with some clients. We were there to finalise the flooring material. The brief was clear: a ceramic surface, simple, light in tone, with a soft, elegant movement — something that could flow from indoors to outdoors seamlessly.

We had already made some choices on-site, but the showroom visit was about confirming those decisions in large format, and maybe discovering a hidden gem. We ended up reaffirming our original pick — a beautiful ceramic that ticked every box. We were genuinely excited.

As always, I asked all the questions — I’m meticulous with materials, especially when it’s a supplier I don’t know well. I had already asked how it cleans, whether it marks, if it shows dirt — and I asked again in the showroom. Perhaps even a bit obsessively. I’ve got long dark hair (as many of us do), and I’m not above dropping a few strands on the sample board to see what the maintenance will really look like.

Everything seemed aligned. We left with smiles, clarity, and certainty.

And then, two days later, my client forwarded me a message from the supplier:

“We need quantities urgently as the product is being discontinued due to cleaning issues.”

My heart sank.

Wait, what?

The very issue I’d highlighted — repeatedly — was now being acknowledged, not in dialogue, but in hindsight. They were discontinuing the material because it was too difficult to clean. And we had chosen it because we were told it was easy.

I told the client not to worry. There are always other options. And yet, inside, I couldn’t stop thinking: if this product isn’t good enough for others due to cleaning issues, how could it be good enough for us, when cleaning was one of our top priorities?

 

A Memory Resurfaces

This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.

Years ago, I was designing a project in London with a stunning black and white marble floor. We were specifying through a well-known Italian marble supplier. Beautiful materials. World-class. And I sent them what must have been 30, 40… maybe even 50 emails, repeating the same thing: this floor needs to be suitable for high foot traffic. We needed durability, not just beauty.

Their reply?

“Don’t worry. It’s the same marble Prada uses in their stores.”

As if that was enough. As if being seen in Prada was the same as being trampled on like Paddington Station during rush hour.

But it wasn’t enough. That marble didn’t hold up. It was too soft. It scratched, it dulled, and it needed more maintenance than any client should have to live with. And in that moment, I realised that even after asking all the right questions — clearly, repeatedly — the answers sometimes come filtered through someone else’s sales targets.

Who Is the Project Really For?

That question has been circling in my head since: who is truly invested in the project?

Interior design isn’t just the work of the designer. It’s a choreography of builders, engineers, architects, clients, suppliers, reps. And sometimes, I wonder: do we all care about the outcome equally?

Of course, clients care — deeply. And I believe most designers do too. We lose sleep over paint tones and grout lines. But do all suppliers? Do all reps? Or are some simply pushing what needs to sell this quarter?

It’s like when you’re at a restaurant and ask the waiter: What do you recommend? Are they pointing you to the best dish on the menu… or to what’s about to expire?

 

I want to believe that everyone I work with — everyone who touches a project — is rowing in the same direction. That we’re all working toward the best possible version of the space. But moments like this make me pause. Because if I, after years of experience and relentless questioning, can still end up here… what happens to someone who doesn’t know to ask?

 

Interiors Are More Than Just Surfaces

So yes, this week’s post isn’t about proportions, palettes, or textures — not directly, anyway. But it is about interiors. It’s about integrity. And how behind every beautiful room there are conversations, decisions, and sometimes hard lessons.

 

Thanks for letting me share this moment with you. This week, a story. Next week, who knows?

Thanks for passing by,

MP

 

If want to watch this story, watch HERE, Please note that this is in Spanish, but you can auto-translate the subtitles. 

 

1. Open YouTube: Go to the YouTube website or open the YouTube app.

2. Play the Video: Start playing the video with subtitles available.

3. Click on the “CC” Button: This is the “Closed Captions” button on the bottom-right of the video player. If subtitles are available, they will appear.

4. Click on the Settings Gear Icon: This is also on the bottom-right, next to the “CC” button.

5. Select “Subtitles/CC”: Click on “Subtitles/CC” from the settings menu.

6. Choose “Auto-Translate”: After selecting “Subtitles/CC,” you’ll see an option that says “Auto-translate.” Click it.

7. Choose Your Language: A list of available languages will appear. Select the language you’d like to translate the subtitles into.

8. Enjoy: The subtitles will now be translated into your selected language!

That’s it! You can now watch videos with auto-translated subtitles.