In the colorful collection of an interior designer

For the entire five years we've been together, we've been looking for a shelf that we can both tolerate. — Ráchel Smékalová

Ráchel believes that every space dictates what is needed in it. That's why she gradually created a colorful collection of marble, wood, and brass in her apartment, where she lives with her husband and two children. What was missing from the household, however, was a practical shelf that would reach the level of the other pieces with its design and also fulfill the storage function . 

How did you find out about Fleysen?

I clicked on the ad on Instagram. We wanted a bookshelf, but we couldn't decide what color. Then this pink came up, which I love, as well as peach or pale blue. I always say that I love the colors of the sky, whether it's sunrise or sunset. So when I saw this pink, I knew I had to have it. What attracted you to the furniture?

My husband has been saying for as long as we've known each other that we need a Kallax – that's the most basic shelf from Ikea that everyone had at one time. And I say that I don't want a Kallax in my life. So for the five years we've been together, we've been looking for a shelf that we both can tolerate. And this design is airy, light, I like that the shelf isn't on the floor, and I liked the color. So I decided that we could have this Kallax in our lives. 

How does this piece of furniture fit into your interior?

The blue shelf in the kitchen is completely easy, but the pink one in the living room is a striking piece thanks to the material. Until now, we only had wood, marble and brass. So such a modern material stands out in this interior. For a long time I didn't know what to do with this corner, and I changed it about fifteen times. It was never the same, for example, there was an armchair there that no one sits on. Now there is finally something that belongs there functionally, and it also throws off the opulent living room a bit, which I enjoy. 

Is Fleysen your first larger metal furniture?

Actually, yes. For example, our marble table, which we had made, has a painted metal base, and then here we have various metals like chrome or brass, but more in a subtle form like lamps or chair legs. 

Do you see any advantages and disadvantages of this metal? Did anything surprise you?

It's super practical that you just wipe it and you don't have to worry about anything. Sometimes we rent an apartment through Airbnb and, for example, with marble, I have to keep explaining to people that they can't put wet things on it. It's annoying, but necessary. With metal, we don't have to deal with anything and it's stress-free. 

Were you afraid of colorful furniture?

I believe that when you move somewhere, the apartment tells you what it needs. And this apartment of ours told me that it needs color and wildness, to take down the opulent ceilings and create a colorful collection. The cleaner comes here once every two weeks and every time she comes, I realize that I have changed something here. 

So, to answer your question, we were definitely not afraid of color. On the contrary, we are happy to have added more pieces to our color collection. The walls here are not white, but more of a beige-orange color. So without furniture it looks a bit old, but the colors break it up.

Note: Ráchel Ahuja Smékalová is an interior designer and founder of the creative studio Rachel Ahuja, which focuses on interior design of commercial spaces and visual merchandising, and co-founder of the concept store Qurated with vintage accessories and furniture. She lives with her family in Prague.