We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative REZZAN BENARDETE ("RB").
Rezzan Benardete is a professional interior designer with a background in art and design. After earning a Finance degree from George Washington University, she worked at Arçelik, focusing on brand strategies and international expansion. In 2010, she founded Rezzan Benardete Interiors in Istanbul, specializing in bespoke designs for high-end residential, hospitality, and yacht projects. Known for blending bold colors and diverse styles, her firm emphasizes fine craftsmanship, quality materials, and modern accessories. Rezzan's designs balance sophistication with functionality, creating timeless spaces that reflect her clients' aspirations. She leads projects from concept to execution with meticulous attention to detail.
REZZAN BENARDETE Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by REZZAN BENARDETE.
REZZAN BENARDETE Design - 37XP Maya Private Yatch
Designer Interview of REZZAN BENARDETE:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
RB : My journey into design was not a straight line—but it was always driven by intuition and curiosity. After earning a Finance degree at George Washington University, I began my career at Arçelik, where I focused on brand strategy and global expansion. But my passion for spaces, objects, and aesthetics kept pulling me toward design. In 2010, I followed that instinct and founded Rezzan Benardete Interiors in Istanbul. It was a natural evolution of a lifelong fascination with art, architecture, and storytelling.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
RB : Rezzan Benardete Interiors is a boutique design studio based in Istanbul. We work across luxury residential, hospitality, and yacht interiors, focusing on projects that demand a high level of personalization and craft. Our approach is deeply collaborative and rooted in emotional storytelling—we’re not just designing beautiful spaces, we’re creating experiences that reflect our clients’ lives and aspirations.
DI: What is "design" for you?
RB : Design is emotional architecture. It is the art of shaping how people live, feel, and connect within a space. For me, design must have both soul and structure—it must function beautifully and evoke feeling.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
RB : I’m especially drawn to yacht interiors and personal residences. These spaces are intimate, and they offer endless potential to explore individuality, detail, and emotion. I love the contrast: yachts require extreme precision and compact creativity, while homes allow for emotional layering and heritage.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
RB : Maya, a private yacht project we completed, holds a special place in my heart. It was designed with complete creative freedom and an incredible client. Every material, every stitch, and every corner was curated to reflect not just style but lifestyle. It represents the ideal blend of refined craftsmanship and lived-in elegance.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
RB : One of my earliest professional design projects was a residential interior in Istanbul. It was my first opportunity to translate vision into spatial reality—from layout to lighting to final styling. It taught me how powerful personal connection is in design.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
RB : Natural materials like wood, linen, marble, and bronze resonate with me—they age gracefully and carry soul. On the technical side, I rely on high-resolution 3D renderings and architectural modeling tools to convey precision. But nothing replaces a tactile material board.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
RB : I feel most creatively alive when traveling or in nature. But even more so, late evenings in the studio—when the world quiets—are my favorite times to explore mood, materials, and composition freely.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
RB : I always start with flow—how a space breathes, how people move through it. Then comes materiality and light. And finally, the emotion. The end goal is to create a narrative that feels inevitable, as if the space always existed that way.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
RB : Excitement, definitely. But also a sense of responsibility—to the client, to the space, and to the craft. There’s also a certain intimacy in understanding how someone lives and designing something that reflects their essence.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
RB : It’s magical. To see an idea take physical form and witness someone inhabit that space with joy—it’s deeply rewarding. It makes all the behind-the-scenes challenges worth it.
DI: What makes a design successful?
RB : A successful design is one that’s lived in beautifully. If a client feels seen, comfortable, and connected to the space—it’s a success. Great design should feel like a natural extension of the person who occupies it.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
RB : Balance and authenticity. If a design feels cohesive, intentional, and not overworked—it usually hits the mark. I’m also very sensitive to proportion, scale, and material harmony.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
RB : Designers hold the power to shape not only spaces but behaviors. We must advocate for sustainable choices, honor local craftsmanship, and be mindful of cultural context. Every design decision carries weight—socially and environmentally.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
RB : Design is becoming more personal and soulful. People are moving away from over-styled, trend-driven interiors and leaning into spaces that reflect their heritage, travels, and lives. The future of design is intentional, tactile, and emotionally intelligent.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
RB : Our presentations are often private and client-specific, especially in yacht and residential design. However, I would love to create a more public, conceptual exhibition in the future—perhaps one that brings together interior design and contemporary art.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
RB : Inspiration is everywhere: travel, art, architecture, and nature. But also conversations, textures, films. Recently, I’ve drawn from both Art Deco elegance and Japanese minimalism when designing yachts. I enjoy layering references from different eras and cultures.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
RB : It’s a refined fusion of timeless elegance and contemporary sensitivity. I love mixing classical forms with modern finishes, and creating contrasts—structured and soft, minimal and ornate. My work is rooted in emotion, craftsmanship, and individuality.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
RB : I live in Istanbul—a city layered with history and diversity. Its eclecticism influences my work profoundly. I’ve always admired how the city blends East and West, ancient and modern. That duality is reflected in many of my designs.
DI: How do you work with companies?
RB : We work closely with clients and brands through a transparent, collaborative process. I believe in listening deeply, presenting strong concepts, and adapting with elegance. Whether it’s a private client or a development group, trust is everything.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
RB : Choose a designer whose values align with yours—not just stylistically, but philosophically. Trust their process, give them space to interpret your needs, and don’t rush creativity.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
RB : It starts with immersion—understanding the client’s lifestyle, aspirations, and story. Then we build mood boards, material palettes, and 3D visualizations. The execution phase involves deep collaboration with artisans and specialists. From sketch to styling, I remain hands-on.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
RB : A handwoven rug I sourced on a trip to Cappadocia A vintage Pierre Jeanneret armchair Custom silk drapery that changes with the light My niece Leyla’s paintings in the hallway A mid-century Murano glass lamp
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
RB : Mornings are for focus—emails, sketching, and studio time. Afternoons include site visits and material sourcing. Evenings are reserved for inspiration and family—often spent with my niece Leyla, visiting galleries or painting together.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
RB : Design with empathy. Train your eye, travel meaningfully, and never lose curiosity. Be patient—refined design takes time. And above all, design spaces that make people feel something.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
RB : The beauty lies in shaping lives and spaces—there’s immense emotional reward. The challenge? The invisible pressure of perfection and the mental load of constant decision-making. But if you love what you do, it energizes you.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
RB : Design from the inside out. Let the feeling guide the form.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
RB : Listening, sensitivity to detail, material knowledge, and visual storytelling. A strong aesthetic is important—but so is flexibility and emotional intelligence.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
RB : Sketchbooks, AutoCAD, 3D renderings, and material libraries. But also museums, photography, and physical samples. A tactile approach is irreplaceable.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
RB : With discipline and a clear structure. I delegate where needed but remain creatively involved throughout. I also protect creative time—some of my best ideas come when I’m not “working.”
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
RB : For a custom furniture piece, it may take 3–6 months. For yachts or residences, 12–18 months is typical. Timelines depend on complexity and craftsmanship involved.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
RB : “Where do you get your inspiration from?” My answer is always: everywhere. Design is about seeing—not just looking.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
RB : Leading Maya, the yacht project, from concept to completion. It challenged me in the best ways—balancing beauty with technical constraints while preserving the intimacy of the design.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
RB : We’ve worked with private collectors, business leaders, and developers in Europe and the Middle East—each bringing a distinct personality that makes every project fresh and rewarding.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
RB : Yacht design. It demands absolute attention to detail, spatial efficiency, and emotional design—all within a floating environment. It’s architectural poetry at sea.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
RB : We’re launching a new yacht designed in partnership with a Polish shipyard—it’s about to hit the water. I'm also working on a luxury retail space and a private nightclub, each offering fresh creative challenges.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
RB : I lead every project creatively, but I’m supported by a dedicated team of designers and artisans. Collaboration is the heart of our process, but every design begins with my vision.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
RB : Yes—besides the new yacht, we’re working on several exciting interior projects in Europe, including a concept store and a seaside villa. Each brings a different aesthetic and challenge.
DI: How can people contact you?
RB : Through our website www.rezzanbenardeteinteriors.com or directly via email. We welcome meaningful partnerships and inquiries.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
RB : Design is deeply emotional. A truly beautiful space isn’t just seen—it’s felt. That’s what I always strive for: to design spaces that stay with people, long after they’ve left them.