Rina Rankova - THOUGHTFUL LUXURY - an art form.
There’s something about a perfectly designed space that’s so captivating. The way the colour scheme flows effortlessly from the furniture to the accessories; the beauty of shapes and textures layered upon each other. It truly is a form of art, and when done just right, has the ability to make you feel calm yet intrigued.
That’s exactly how I felt after looking at Rina Rankova’s recent work. The Bulgarian born interior designer has been turning heads in the industry, using her expertise to create unique spaces, attentively considering every last detail.
Well-travelled, Rankova studied design and interior architecture in London, spending time at both the University of Arts London and KLC School of Design.
During her time in the big smoke, she worked at Argent Design, gaining a wealth of experience in high-end residential design, commercial, and custom furniture design.
Next, her curiosity took her to Dubai, where she set up her first design studio, Pheonixstowe.
She spent four years at the studio transforming the homes of the Middle East but after meeting her husband in 2018, decided to settle down in none other than the gem of the south coast, Marbella.
Here, she set up another boutique studio, Rina Rankova, which has offices in both Marbella and London.
Over the last three years, Rankova’s made quite the name for herself, working with clients like Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, new FLAMMA restaurant in Puente Romano, luxury developments in Dubai, a Grade II listed building in Mayfair, and most recently, La Fontana, a collection of five new, architecturally curated villas, developed by Sir John Beckwith and Penna Property Partners, in Sierra Blanca.
Situated in the foothills of the UNESCO protected La Concha mountain, each villa boasts panoramic views and has been designed to bring something a little different than the white-washed walls of the usual Costa del Sol style. Roofs are adorned with Moroccon and Arabic tiles and inside the decor is elegant and timeless.
Large windows allow sunshine to flood each room, casting a warm glow throughout.
No villa is the same, some have guest houses while others have courtyards. But one thing that’s common throughout are grand, open living spaces, designed for hours socialising with family and friends, as is typical in Spanish culture.
Rankova’s main point of difference is that everything she does is bespoke. Sourcing materials from all over the world and working with only the best tradesmen she creates pieces to the exact taste of the client and project.
Her style is distinctive yet effortless, contemporary yet chic. She balances aesthetics and functionally to create elegant spaces from opulent villas to award-winning restaurants.
From conception to completion, Rankova and her team of talented interior architects, designers and 3D visualisers manage everything themselves, including site management, construction, fit-out, and dressing.
She leaves no stone unturned. Beds are dressed in the finest sheets and soft cotton towels are hung in the bathrooms; kitchens are filled with the latest pots, pans and utensils; plants are placed purposefully in corners and art hung with intention on the walls.
Rankova carefully contemplates textures, lighting, colour palettes and accessories so that when everything is finished, the client can move in immediately.
With such an international footprint, Rankova’s lucky to have a team that speaks a variety of languages including Spanish, English, French and Arabic, which she says helps to make the ‘communication and execution of projects effortless, no matter the location or nationality of the client’.
Interior design is more than just a job for Rankova, it’s her passion, her joy, and this shines through in every aspect of her work.
www.rinarankova.com
@rina.rankova
