Ksenia Breivo
Ksenia Breivo (b. 1978) is a successful Russian designer with an extensive international practice in interior design. After finishing her studies as an architect, she went on to complete a design course from the Details School Studio. Now she works on projects in Moscow, London, Vienna, Tbilisi, Sochi and other cities.
“The whole process is important for me, from the idea to the implementation, and until the moment when everything becomes real, and later transforms as time passes. I am inspired by natural materials: stone, wood, glass, rock crystal, paper, metal, textiles, fireclay, gypsum, beeswax, felt. I love experimenting, combining various substances, as it is such an exciting process. Craft is incredibly important to me. I work with craftsmen all over the world on my items and always look out for like–minded people who appreciate my ideas,” explains the designer.
Her style is unique and is born out of the diversity of artistic moods, inseparable from the spirit of innovation. Breivo is looking for new ways in design, both physical and ideological. “I may invent a special type of environment friendly material in time, and focus on it. Respect for the environment is not just a trend, but a deep need to be part of the planet and live in the beauty created by nature.” In each of her projects, she uses local materials as extensively as possible and applies the principles of sustainable development.
The Bijoux collection was inspired by the eponymous ballet staged in the 1960s by artist and choreographer George Balanchine. The series of glass objects evokes dance choreography through the fragile and delicate materiality of glass. The plasticity and lightness of the medium allows to capture the beauty of the movement, while a special kiln‑forming technique is chosen to achieve the precise shade.
"The first series of objects was conceived as an homage to the ballet’s opening act — Emeralds, which became an embodiment of France in the 1930s, reflecting the elegance and sophistication of French style," Ksenia explains.
The metaphorical "Solome" sculptural objects, combining geometric and organic forms, are handcrafted from marble: a material used for centuries is revealed in a new light. Ksenia Breivo, expressing the results of her personal research, creates an image of natural beauty and femininity. The artist strives to convey a combination of tenderness and inner strength, flexibility and steadfastness. According to Breivo, such combinations most.
The "Solaris" series combines architecture, light and shadow.
The candle highlights the changing contours, volume and depth of this object.
The designer explains the concept:
"The fire enclosed in a massive form symbolizes the light within us, purity and warmth.
The light in this candlestick operates according to the same principles as in large-scale architecture — this is emphasized by the choice of concrete, a common modern material.
It is capable of taking desired forms and interacting with other substances, serving both a structural and decorative purpose.
In the creation of "Solaris," I employed techniques similar to sculpture — after the concrete had gained mass and cooled, I processed it using a special technique, removing excessively rough textures and giving the lines a softer feel."
For Booroom Gallery in 2021, the designer created a Vake concept library shelving unit in two sections, complemented by a bench (limited edition of 8).
The name is chosen after the Vake neighborhood in Tbilisi, a favorite place for the city’s creative intelligentsia.
Tbilisi courtyards, full of life, served as an inspiration.
The material was solid oak and zebrano veneer.
The veneer was cut into fragments and reassembled in a specific way.
The finished product was brushed and waxed.
“It’s simple, but this is the power of truly elegant pieces: to make ordinary materials more elegant, interesting, to give them a new look,”
says Ksenia.
The shelves are made in the designer’s favorite aesthetics of rounded, clear geometry, allowing them to fit perfectly into different interiors.
The sections, if arranged in rows, look convincing and monumental, structuring the space and setting its scale and rhythm.
