Visiting Rachel Smékalová

@racheldejapris

Rachel Smékalová, founder of the concept store with a curated selection of vintage furniture and accessoriesQurated, but above all, the mother of the magical Siddhartha. When she's not taking care of her son, she's probably looking for, painting, or sanding a unique piece of furniture.

In the apartment in Nové Město, we find seemingly disparate combinations of accessories, furniture, and colors that work harmoniously together. Rachel moved here while pregnant, with her boyfriend Sahil, from a small apartment to a more spacious one, where there's room for the children's rompers and the realization of their dreams.

Pléd Color Melange & upcoming Mum's Kingdom.

HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA TO START QURATED?

I originally saw Qurated as a way to make extra money and a small project to do while on maternity leave, but it gradually moved me towards something bigger that fulfills me. We work with a carpenter and a glassmaker and we try not to sell just things, but an overall approach to life. Sometimes I think I should slow down and just be a mom, but this is what happens when you start doing something you enjoy, that you get excited about and absorb.

WHERE DO YOU GET INSPIRATION?

I am inspired by what comes into my life. Exhibitions, concerts, traveling, how to live in Australia, London, by the sea...

Quiet Jungle & Flat White at Rachel's in the bedroom.

YOU HAVE AN ORIGINAL AESTHETIC THAT IS OUT OF TREND...

I believe that the place where we live shapes our personality on a daily basis. Rather than aesthetics, I would say feeling and flow. It's a perspective on life that develops and changes very organically. I love colors, contrasts, textures - that's the first thing. When you walk around a room, engage both your eyes and your hands. And notice if you feel anything. The structure of the veneer, wood, the softness or roughness of the fabrics, the coldness of the marble and chrome, how the floor creaks and what it evokes in you. How the light moves throughout the day - how it plays with the space. And then how you live, what you need. What you don't need. Only then do I look for some visual balance so that I don't go crazy from those sensations.

WHERE IS HOME?

Where I have Siddý and Sahil.

Tobias' Dream & Colour Melange.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE RITUAL?

I don't have many rituals, but every morning I have my favorite instant coffee with a mountain of milk. I can't help it, it's my guilty pleasure.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE IN YOUR APARTMENT?

That's a tough question... I like the whole apartment as an entity that evolves and lives, so even my favorite place moves, but of course the bed is nice.

A place for ideas and dreams.

WHAT IS YOUR LEJAAN FAVORITE?

I'll tell you right away, all your crispy pillows from the Comfort line like feathers, you sink into them and curl up to the sweetest sleep.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE HOME DEVICE?

Cleaning constantly and having Mrs. Naďa.

HOW DOES YOUR HOME SMELL?

Like my son's sweaty head, it's the best smell in the world.

HOW HAS YOUR HOUSEHOLD CHANGED AFTER HAVING YOUR SON?

A lot of things are upstairs now. I used to have books, candles, vases on the floor. I thought I would miss it, but somehow I learned to live with it and take it as it is.

A harmonious combination of shades and textures.

WHAT SHOULD EVERYONE HAVE AT HOME?

Something from Qurated… and from Lejaan.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOME ACCESSORIES?

Vases, lights, candlesticks, marble.

DO YOU HAVE INTERIOR PRINCIPLES THAT YOU FOLLOW?

Combine different materials and textures and don't stick to a template when decorating.

WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR MAKING A SPACE COZY?

With light, trying to light up all the dark corners, in my opinion light creates a home. In general, I like fabrics. It's nice to combine different materials and keep them in one tone, and then experiment with paintings. I try to perceive the apartment as a whole, because our gaze doesn't stop at one place, but travels through the space. It's not static, and I think accordingly when decorating. It means walking through the apartment from different angles and inventing a story based on how the eyes wander.