Mercedes Arsuaga and her studio MAD, tailor-made interior design

Mercedes Arsuaga, always dreamed of dedicating herself to the realization of spaces. Now, she leads her own interior design studio, MAD, which not only provides renovation and decoration services, but also offers furniture design and personalized advice.

Mercedes Arsuaga for the Decasa Channel

​Interior Design Training

IADE: How did you get to know our school, and what made you decide to study with us?

Mercedes Arsuaga: I found out about it because, when I was looking for information about where to study interior design, I discovered that IADE was the national benchmark in this field.

I: How was your experience at the School?

M.A: It was wonderful. At the beginning, it was hard to get into the rhythm, but I ended up enjoying every subject almost as if it were leisure! My favorite subject was Art, while the most challenging was Projects, I still remember the final deliveries... Working in a team was crazy! Nevertheless, for me it was a time of absolute maturity and great learning.

I: What was your dream (professionally speaking) when you entered the Diploma in Interiors? Did it change during the course of your studies?

M.A: When I started my studies at IADE, my initial dream was simple: to learn and pass the degree. However, there was a very radical change when, suddenly, one day I discovered that I was liking the world of interior design much more than I thought I would. That's when I decided that I was going to squeeze every moment out of it, and that's when I began to realize that the teachers really offered me much more than just knowledge! They offered me experience and closeness. That was the big turning point that allowed me to go from simply doing a career to enjoying that career.

​First steps...

I: We have read that, after finishing Interior Design, you worked in two big studios. What would you say you learned working in them?

M.A: I learned a lot about the process of managing a project. However, I think the most important thing was that I learned how to treat the client, and I think that is a fundamental aspect since, in the end, we must sell our proposals. I think it is necessary to know how to persuade and advise, starting from the client's concept, and seeking his satisfaction. That is something that is achieved with a lot of professionalism, and for that it is necessary to have a previous practice.

​Mercedes Arsuaga and her Studio

IADE: You currently have your own studio, MAD. You do everything from renovations, interior design, mentoring...

Mercedes Arsuaga: Wow, my present is amazing! Yes, I do renovations covering all areas of design, depending on the client's needs.

We do a lot of interior design and decoration, as it is a quick and very lucid resource. On the other hand, through consulting I wanted to make the most of my time and make my ideas profitable. Many people have doubts about what to do or how to do it, and therefore I decided to give value to my knowledge as a specialist in the sector, and give these express advice.

I: To carry out the different services you offer, do you have work teams with which you manage the different actions? Or do you do it by yourself?

M.A: Yes, I have several work teams. On the one hand, I have two crews for labor and specialists that I hire according to the need that arises, while on the other hand, I rely on two trusted professionals for planning and management resources.

​It's a first!

IADE: We are intrigued to know how the Basics Deco project came about!

Mercedes Arsuaga: It came about through an interview I did with the Decasa channel, during an ephemeral decoration I did on the façade and window of a store.

(Deco Basics is broadcasted every Wednesday at 18.00hs, on Decasa Channel).

​Mercedes Arsuaga and her perception as an interior designer

IADE: We are very interested in knowing your opinion, do you think that as a result of the current situation, interiors will start to be thought in a different way?

Mercedes Arsuaga: Clearly, yes. Today, I am still studying and observing how we are going to evolve, but I personally believe that both the decorations and the spaces themselves will seek to be more organic, fluid and, of course, made to feel emotions. I think that practicality will be the key to each decoration, but always with an aesthetic sense, pure and clean, giving priority to textures and materials, rather than the volume of furniture or decorative element itself.

I: How do you see the interior design sector today, and what do you think is getting the most attention?

M.A: It is wonderful to see how, in the last ten years, interior design has gained more interest among the general public, becoming a leisure as beautiful and satisfying as fashion.

In addition, with the millennial generation and its technologies, it has been achieved that the eye is educated and therefore the work of an interior designer or decorator is demanded and appreciated more. I also think that the availability of so much information has generated a globalization when it comes to design, but if we see it as a challenge, perhaps it will encourage us to create new things that characterize us and differentiate us from the work of others.

​Super tips from Mercedes Arsuaga!

I: You told us that, within interior design, there is a world full of possibilities, what would you say to the students who are going to finish their diploma with us this year?

M.A: My advice is that they should first gain experience and solidity by working with other more experienced interior designers. It is important for them to be restless and to be in continuous training; to make mistakes and learn from them; to value and respect every experienced professional, and above all to have a humble but confident and secure attitude.

Complete home renovation and decoration in Augusto Figueroa. MAD, Mercedes Arsuaga Studio.

​Future plans

IADE: Do you have any projects in the pipeline?

Mercedes Arsuaga: Yes, and I am very excited about them! I hope they will see the light soon.

I: Would you collaborate with any potential students?

M.A: Of course! And if the student is hardworking, positive and active, I would be very happy to share my knowledge and experience with them.

I: Would you like to come to the School in the future to share your experience with our interior design diploma and master students?

M.A: Of course! I know that I could provide them with a lot of knowledge based on my own experience, but above all, I would transmit a lot of enthusiasm and desire to achieve goals.