Deniz Çobanoğlu, who combines interior design and natural stone artistry under the London-based Mystoneprojects umbrella, has been adding permanence, elegance, and character to luxury projects in Europe and America since 2008. After graduating from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Anatolia, he established his studio in London, where he draws attention not only with his interior design but also with the furniture, accessories, and sculptures he creates from natural stone. Bringing Turkish natural stone to the international stage with her exhibition at Blenheim Palace, Çobanoğlu positions Mystoneprojects not just as a supplier, but as a design studio that guides the design, production, and implementation processes. We heard from her about the power of natural stone in interior design, the future of the industry, and the insights gained from 17 years of experience.
How did your journey in interior design begin?
After graduating from the Interior Design Department of the Faculty of Fine Arts in Anatolia in 2008, I came to London and established my design studio, Mystoneprojects.
What was the process like for you to establish your own company in London and take on projects on an international scale?
Compared to today, the procedures for setting up a company were easier, but as a young designer arriving in a new country, establishing myself in an unfamiliar environment and proving myself took longer than I had anticipated. Once I understood London’s diversity of people and cultures and positioned myself within that context, my adaptation process accelerated.
How has the process developed over the past 17 years, and how has the company positioned itself?
As a company profile, while meeting all the natural stone requirements of residential and commercial projects, in the last few years we started to produce natural stone furniture and accessory collections, produce art sculptures, and immediately afterwards our exhibitions began. Our first exhibition in the UK, titled “Hats of Passions/Queen Elizabeth II,” took place last August in the gardens of one of the UK’s most important palaces, Blenheim Palace. In addition to our ongoing interior projects, we are currently working on two more marble sculpture projects. These will be very high-profile and, hopefully, will take Turkish natural stone to where it deserves to be.
How would you define the role of natural stone in interior design?
I am a designer who works exclusively with natural stone. At Mystoneprojects, we design, produce, and lead the implementation of natural stone packages for projects. Natural stone adds not only aesthetics but also durability, elegance, and character to a space. This cannot be achieved with any other alternative. As with all natural things, marble needs to be looked after, which is why I place great importance on the relationship between it and those who live with it.
When working with different collections such as marble, onyx, and semi-precious stones, what are the most important criteria in your selection process?
In the early years, we were very involved in the selection process, making dozens of presentations to users and showering them with samples. Later, we realized that this is not an area that should be guided by the designer in the first place. Now, we ensure that the user who consults us has done their own research first. It is important for the user to have an idea about the overall concept of the space, at least in terms of color and texture, and we have learned not to influence them during this process. So, the goal is to suggest the material, not for us to choose it, but for the user to have a relationship with the material. Otherwise, it becomes an endless sea, and we suddenly shift from our identity as designers to becoming marble salespeople. This affects our artistry, which is something we don’t want. After 17 years of experience, our priority in the selection process is always the applicability of the project based on its use, followed by maintenance criteria. Form, texture, pattern, function, and aesthetic or artistic touches are already added by us.
You have worked on many important projects in different locations such as London, Miami, and Istanbul. Which project was the most memorable or the one you are most proud of?
Actually, what makes a project memorable or a source of pride is not so much the work itself but the communication and energy you have with the client. Sometimes a small office project or hotel lobby can be much more enjoyable than a 400-unit residential project. Our work is as much about people, their expectations, and their energy as it is about materials and design. Understanding the client correctly, finding the right path, and leaving a mark is the most important thing. Because no matter what, you are embarking on a journey with that client that will last at least six months. For us, the most valuable thing is that the work, the design process, and the aftermath go smoothly.
As a company sourcing stone from Turkey, what do you think about the perception of Turkish natural stone in the international market?
We are in a very strong position in terms of reserves; we have almost half of them. However, we cannot determine the direction of the industry in terms of design. In our country, measurement and mass size are followed by the need to guide the sector. These are seen as more important than talent, design, or even art. Raw materials are more important than anything else. However, I see that things are very different in countries like Italy or Spain. When investments are made in design, the future of the sector will inevitably change. Marble has already become an accessible material in every way; the real issue is how you can create global value for it.
How do you see the future of the stone sector and interior design? In your opinion, in which direction are the new trends moving?
Sector representatives can outline the future of the stone sector more clearly; frankly, I cannot predict it very well. I can comfortably say this about interior design: all new technologies, including AI, are tools that will propel us forward. Design and interior design will progress not by following these trends, but by leading them. And no matter what, a return to the classics is inevitable.
What would be your most important advice to young designers working with natural stone?
Instead of trying to do everything, you need to specialize. While “knowing everything” is valued in our country, specializing in one area is much more valuable abroad. Also, as someone who has been designing in the UK for 17 years, I see this clearly: Designers who move forward with their own culture, production values, craftsmanship, and a thousand years of labor behind them are much stronger.
I recommend that designers approach natural materials with respect. I believe they should first instill this respect in the user. If half of the design belongs to you, the other half belongs to nature. By carrying this awareness and showing respect for nature, you should enjoy the result.
+90 532 585 51 95
+90 532 585 51 95