Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mia Mimica. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Preferably, I go on random walks and try to get lost a little bit or take new streets. For me, being outside and moving at my own pace, relaxed, feels so good and natural that my mind opens up and it all feels kind of hopeful like I could find anything. I love to facade/interior-watch (without being creepy, promise) and when we get to do it live and also we’re just out for a walk so there’s not incredibly great expectations, all of our senses become engaged and it’s just more fun so we’re more likely ‘to see the beauty’ or consider new beauties. Obviously looking things up on a device is very practical and great and faster. When I have to do that -if I can- I make it a combination by-foot trip somewhere where I can work on my laptop and take in new or go-to loved spaces.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a fairly ‘new’ interior designer with a previous Bachelor’s in Art and Stage Design. I worked as an actress for quite a while in Chile and then in LA before I fully shifted and right now I’m focusing on overall sustainability but especially Biophilia in interior spaces. I’ve been lucky to get to work mostly in hospitality projects which are my passion. I’d prefer others to verbally define my style if they feel they need to because I kind of just work with what I think is best for the particular moment and what I’m into and inspired by in that moment. I grew up in a modernist house with a great indoor-outdoor connection and so, aesthetically, that’s what brings me comfort and, just knowing how much you can enjoy that connection, is always an aim in my work. Calming, people-regenerating spaces are my priority if I have to define all of this in some way. I’ve suffered from high functioning anxiety disorder all of my life and things like the Andes Mountains, the landscape that surrounded me for most of my life, and direct views of Cerro Manquehue really supported me, restored me and created this positive attachment to a place that is so important for everyone; to have places to lean on, heal and come back from wanting to become the best we can be and to have it consistently. I try to figure out how can I translate what gives peace and life to someone into their own spaces in a way that moves them.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I recently found out that my grandfather was the one who pushed for our solar roof panels in my childhood home and that it was so new at the time that some tour buses from Argentina would make our house one of their stops. And then my dad’s original idea for our yard was to grow our own food and he really tried for some time. This is kind of funny to me because they were more of your big city businessmen-type by the time I was born and by that time they had also, sadly, given up on both of these things. With their busy lives, and the technology from abroad being hard to keep up with in Chile, it was short lived. I am so inspired by this, and humbled that my dad, especially, had to give up on a more dreamy, pleasant lifestyle to focus on work once he had my sister and I. Their dreams are definitely teaching me about mine and I had never thought of this but other things are coming to mind – where digging up on our loved ones aspirations can be a real guide to our own path to fulfillment and meaning in life.
Something else I’ve been recently coming back to is this idea that the most personal, honest work is the most universal. I’m convinced that when we are able to reach a sort of abandonment and truly create from our place, we end up transcending the individual experience and our work resonates with others. This was a very impactful lesson and realization in art school and I now see the link with the indoor-outdoor experience in our environments. I think it has so many levels. When we are able to really share ourselves we connect with a more gentle reality where the idea of “your problem” and “my problem”, that line blurs. Or your happiness as separate from mine. It’s a relief.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My classmates. I was very lucky, I think, that in my main classes through both times in college that the teachers in my class have been like “this is the first time I’m not embarrassed about any of my students work” and just stuff like that. When I studied performing arts, I had a teacher that all of the other colleges and students wanted to direct their final senior presentation – which is a huge production and known directors come to scout for actors, etc, the whole deal. He chose my class. Things like that happened thanks to everyone being, probably, obsessive about school and it was very stressful at times but mostly energizing and in a very real way, they were my greatest teachers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.asustainablestudio.com (In the works)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asustainablestudio/
Image Credits
Photos 1, 2 & 4 by Eckert And Eckert Architectural Photography Photos 3, 5 & 6 by Jessica Alexander Photography
