INTERIOR DESIGN | Focus on Masquespacio

Text by Elisabetta Donati de Conti

Bun Burgers Turin, ph. Gregory Abbate

Masquespacio’s interiors are eclectic, brightly coloured and Mediterranean, transporting us into dreamworlds with the promise of new experiences in the round. 

Ana Milena Hernández Palacios and Christophe Penasse design a large number of restaurants, shops and hospitality venues, leveraging the design approach of hers and the financial-managerial skills of the latter – a winning combo.

Masquespacio, photo Cualiti Studio

Q

Name of the studio

Masquespacio

Q

Place where you work

Valencia

Resa Bilbao, photo courtesy

Q

Your Instagram account

@masquespacio_ana & @masquespacio_chris

Q

Describe what your studio does

We are a design studio focused mainly on interior and product design. Chris concentrates on management and communication, while Ana concentrates on project design.

Espacio Hotique, photo courtesy

Q

Where did you study

Ana studied interior design at Barreira, Valencia and Chris studied marketing at KHM Malinas, Belgium.

Masquespacio, photo courtesy

Q

What are you working on right now

Right now we are working on several projects for restaurants in Saudi Arabia, as well as a beauty salon in Qatar, a lot of mainly hospitality-related projects, and also some offices, shops and houses in Italy, USA, Australia and Spain. 

Besides the interior design projects we are also working on an interesting co-branding project for a collection of more than different 50 products with a French company, and we are also growing our Mas Creations collection.

The Student Hotel Barcelona Poble Sec, ph. Luis Beltran

Q

Your dream project

Our own home/studio which we will start working on in the next few months.

Roca Tile Cersaie, ph. Gregory Abbate

Q

The project that’s influenced you the most

Hit Gallery by Fabio Novembre.

Q

A crucial detail in all your projects

The wow factor.

Nozomi Sushi Bar, photo Cualiti Studio

Q

City centre or far-flung places 

Both, depending on the type of person you are. In our case after working and living for more than 11 years in the city centre, we are moving to live and work in the country.

Q

Something you have at home designed by you

The Poggi Uno skyscrapers and our Mas Creations collection.

Breath, ph. Mateo Soto

Q

What gifts do you like giving 

Unconventional masks and frames made of different geometries, colours and textures.

Q

If you could build a secret passage in the house, where would it lead

To a peaceful meditation room where you can switch off from the routine of daily life, when you feel stressed or anxious.

Cabinette Co-working, ph. Luis Beltran

Q

What do you usually do on Sundays 

 If we are not travelling or working, we like to take a long walk, usually around 10 km, taking in new places outside Valencia, from the countryside to small towns.

Bun Burgers Turin, ph. Gregory Abbate

Q

Your favourite place in Milan

We have to say Bun Burgers at Dell’ Orso, as it is the most recent place we designed in Milan.

Masquespacio Mas Creations , Cookie Pot Family + Toomuch

Q

Davide Fabio Colaci would like to ask to Ana: "Was there a moment when you realised you were a designer If so, when" 

When I arrived in Spain I was deeply struck by the amazing architecture around me, so I was always walking around with my head in the clouds. That was when I realised I wanted to be an interior designer.

Hoff Sneakers, photo courtesy

Q

Would you like to ask the next interviewee a question 

Do you think creatives reach a point where they are satisfied with what they have achieved or do you think they will go on wanting new challenges

Masquespacio Mas Creations, Secreter Scene

Piur, ph. Luis Beltran

Stay tuned！