We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Crystal Martin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystal , thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I have worked on is a passion project called ‘Rich’s Department Store Rehabilitation.’ It was inspired by the desire to create a monumental space by reviving the original purpose of the building and space, as a nod to Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. Born during a time of protests during the height of the pandemic, I believed that this project was appropriate. Unraveling a historic downtown story with a cultural significance would create a space that would not only celebrate a city’s history, but also elevate the community. The story and narrative are what created the design as Fragonard’s paintings were evident in the original 1960 restaurant Magnolia Room. The Italian Palazzo structure would be rehabilitated, the interiors renovated to meet the needs of today. Rich’s Department Store was also the predecessor of retail and fashion in Atlanta and was a huge influence on integration. The guiding principles were based on meta-luxury, a paradigm that relies on focus, rarity, craftsmanship, and history.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for having me for a second time. I feel honored for the opportunity to have my story put out there once again in front of readers and hope that my story will inspire others. Born in the South, growing up in New York City, and after several international rendezvous in Europe and Asia, I find myself rooted in Atlanta taken by the ‘city in a forest’ and southern hospitality. I am a graduate of the number one university for art and design, the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I earned both my bachelor’s and Master of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design with honors and pursuing another master’s in Luxury and Brand Management initiated during covid lockdowns. The two fields have great synergy, and I have just learned that more and more interior design graduates are also taking the course.

I got into the Interior Design industry from an appreciation of art, design, architecture, and fashion. As I delved more into the aspects of psychological, emotional, and physical wellness, I firmly believe that Interior Design can elevate the quality of life by offering more than just a shelter and refuge, but as a place where human beings can thrive and be their best self with a sense of virtuous luxury. The products and services provided are conceptual design to schematic, design development, and documentation. Along the process are branding, spatial, and material studies among other components such life safety codes and regulations studies for the safety of the occupants. The creative works can range anywhere from conceptual narratives and mood boards to visual interpretations in the form of sketches or renderings, which are customized to the client’s needs and desires.

I would like potential clients, followers, and fans to know that what I believe sets me apart is that every project I encounter will have the touch of a meticulous and detailed process that stems from research and thinking about the project holistically. I am most proud of my journey, challenges, progress, background, and cultural experiences that are reflected in my work. Not to mention the accolades and recognition received from international and local design communities, as well as for all the opportunities that I have been presented with throughout academia and my career.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The mission that is driving my creative journey is the desire to elevate the standard of living, creating that is timeless and timely, based on the premise of sustainability and well-being, and as I mentioned earlier psychological, emotional, and physical wellness plays a great role. Living in Atlanta for more than 10 years now, I have seen immense growth firsthand, which is a reward in itself. A goal is to inspire projects that will rehabilitate parts of Atlanta, especially Historic South Downtown where there are a myriad of beautiful architecture with potential and vision. In doing so, Atlanta will elevate, and the economy will grow. Architecture and interior design create communities and ecosystems that are a great part of an evolution, building technologies and concepts are developed each day to make the human experience better and better. One that I am particularly fond of and have been thinking about recently is the invention of solar glass. I mean, building with solar glass from the bottom up, now that is super sustainable and efficient. Hand in hand, I do appreciate classical architecture and design and believe that history should always be maintained. I am proud to be a part of an industry that is making such a significant impact on the world.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the aspect of experimentation, using the mind, heart, and hands to creatively solve problems and simply institute beauty and elegance. Being a part of the creative community makes me feel that I am contributing to humanity. With the skills I have developed, I am content to have the ability to generate accessibility to luxury and bring simple luxuries to life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://crystalmartin.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: crystalmartinmetier
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/crystalmartinmetier

Image Credits
Channyn Stanley, Daniele Marongiu