Interviews with Nataliia Pleshkova

The inspiration came from the works of David Roentgen, German cabinetmaker whose design innovation in the creation of ingenious pieces of mechanical furniture with secret drawers and compartments operated by hidden springs and levers made him renowned throughout the ruling houses of 18th century Europe.

The main focus in designing this work has been reinterpretation of historical reference in terms of current trends, needs, materials, and modern technologies.

This particular concept has been designed to pursuit an inspiration.

I am planning to sell production rights for Roentgen nightstand.

The design is simple and can be performed in a wide range of color and material combinations to fit smoothly in any modern interior environment and equipped with the functionality that a contemporary user needs - wireless charger and drawer charging ports. It is available in both a right and a left configuration.

Roentgen nightstand involves the owner in the process of unlatching and expanding it outward into the room to access a set of hidden drawers, which offer additional useful storage space and protection for personal belongings.

The model was built in SketchUp, rendering was made in SU Podium.

The project is a result of research on works of 18th century cabinetmakers adapted in terms of current trends and needs in the field of furniture production, technologies, and design.

The challenge was to integrate the idea of having a secret set of drawers in the modern nightstand, but at the same time not to create a massive piece of furniture as it was in the 18th century, and to make a construction stable when it expands outward.

I am a recent graduate from the interior design program at UCLA Extension in Los Angeles, California, where I spent two years. At the moment, I am making professional transition from accounting to interior design to follow my passion and work as an interior design freelancer.

I bring my passion for interior design history into the projects and often draw on historical references and reinterpret them in terms of current trends, needs, materials, and modern technologies in interior design and furniture production.

My most favorite design is Roentgen nightstand that was inspired by the works of David Roentgen, German cabinetmaker who was famous for the creation of mechanical furniture with secret drawers and compartments in the 18th century. Even thought the design of the nightstand is simple, it involves the owner in the process of unlatching and expanding it outward into the room to access a set of hidden drawers, which offer additional useful storage space and protection for personal belongings. Thus, historical reference is reinterpreted in terms of current trends, needs, materials, and modern technologies.

A design is successful when it properly provides solutions to real problems while recognizing available budget and aesthetically fits to the surrounding context.

When judging a design as good or bad, first of all I consider whether it is provide a clear solution for the problem.

The design inspiration may occur as a result of traveling to new places, being exposed to a different culture or aesthetic, spending time in a beautiful natural setting, studying history of interior design and architecture and even conversations with people.

I live in historic Art Deco area in Miami Beach where I have learnt that the restoring historic buildings is a process of integration of the future with respect to the past despite all the challenges. It is not only is crucial to retaining the nation's heritage and history, but it is also environmental and practical.

Usually I develop all designs myself.