Interview with Alexia Mintsouli, Founder and Designer of Alex Mint

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by Mehmet Kaplan

Some professions have characteristics close to each other, and it is much more possible to switch between them. Architecture and furniture design are among the professions that require the same skills. Alexia Mintsouli, who studied architecture, decided to combine her architectural experience with the knowledge she already had about marble and to design contemporary marble furniture. In 2017, she created her own label and founded Alex Mint in London. She prefers marble as the primary material and designs different collections using the marble together with metal and wood. Each design turns into a product after a long handmade process, and the nature of the marble makes it unique. If you give a place to a coffee table made of marble in your home, you can be sure that this piece is unique. I talked with architect and designer Alexia Mintsouli about her career and her own label Alex Mint.

Alexia, before talking about your Alex Mint, I would like to learn more about you. If you leave design aside, who is Alexia Mintsouli?

I am an architect and most of the time I am travelling for work. I love to meet and exchange ideas with people from all over the world.

How did your interest in design has begun?

After a couple of years working as an architect, I felt that product design was something that I needed to explore.

SLICE OF JUPITER - Designed by Alexia Mintsouli

What inspired you to pursue a career as a furniture designer? Please tell us about your educational background and previous experiences.

During my Architecture education, I started designing some collections for my parents marble-factory, mainly decorative tiles using a mixture of colours and patterns. After graduating, I realised that it was necessary for me to combine Architecture with interior and furniture design.

Could you tell us about Alex Mint and your studio's design and production philosophy?

Alex Mint studio is a new design firm established in London UK in 2017, focusing on producing unique bespoke objects of exceptional design and high-quality materials. The range includes large scale handmade interior and exterior furniture and smaller home accessories. The philosophy is to create contemporary design pieces with a sublime personality.

BARRICADE - Designed by Alexia Mintsouli

What is the most special aspect of marble for you? Why do you like it and prefer to use as the main material of your designs?

I was, quite literally, born into the marble business. My family-owned marble factory, where I took my first steps was when I first realised the beauty of stone-working. The transfiguration of this common, yet timeless, material resonated with me.

DISTORTION - Designed by Alexia Mintsouli

Could you tell us about your tables collection? What are their common features and their inspirations?

Marble and stone collected from all over the world and combined carefully with timber and metal details are the main materials featured, with the marble to stand as the brand's main material used for the new range of tables launched in 2018. Every product is a result of a handmade process, and every piece is unique. Everything starts from the selection of the perfect raw material.

ZEUS - Designed by Alexia Mintsouli

How often do you add a new design to your collections?

I am always in the middle of a design process, but I prefer to launch new products during international exhibitions like Maison & Objet in Paris.

LUNETTE DINING - Designed by Alexia Mintsouli

Social media platforms are new showcases for designer brands. What do you think about the power of social media on buyers' decisions?

Everyone has access to design nowadays, and I think that this quite easy way of instant communication with the clients gave the opportunity to many young talents to express and show their creativity and at the same time, gives a chance to people to discover all these fresh ideas through social media.

How can our readers follow Alex Mint?

Instagram: @alexmintuk

Facebook: alexmintuk

CHIMNEY - Designed by Alexia Mintsouli

Where can our readers buy Alex Mint designs?

By sending email to info@alexmint.com

What is coming up next for you?

I am working on my next collection, which will be quite different as I start exploring new materials and techniques.

Anything you'd like to add that I haven't asked?

Design and Creativity is something that apart from talent needs hard work, and a successful brand is a result of teamwork.

Thank you Alexia for your time.

For more information, please click here to visit the website of Alex Mint

This interview was conducted in a Question-and-Answer format. The answers were checked for grammar and punctuation and published without any additional editing. Tuesday, May 14, 2019. All photos are the property of their respective owners.