Not many people know the evolution of cities like Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende from an outsider's view and a curious and creative perspective, as Belgian interior designer Dirk Jan Kinet has done. When he arrived in Mexico in the mid-1990s, when the capital was still known as the Federal District, Dirk found himself in a modest apartment in an emblematic building in the Historic Center, just a few blocks from the cathedral. After several efforts to improve and restore the building to its former glory, in 2009 he had to move to a smaller place, which caused him to sell part of his collection of antiques and art, to start over.
But Mexico City is not the only place where Dirk found inspiration for his work as an interior designer. Since 1993, he has known San Miguel de Allende from A to Z, and has seen first-hand the transformation of the town into a cosmopolitan city with a very prolific design and art scene.
The protagonist of LOCAL June 2021
Dirk Jan Kinet is the subject of our June 2021 edition of the Local SMA Guide, and we couldn’t be more honored and grateful. We had the opportunity to chat with him to find out more about his experience and his encounter with San Miguel as his creative and professional core.
L: Dirk, first of all, thank you so much for being the face of our June issue. We are so excited! Tell us, why interior design? What drew you to this profession and how does it continue to surprise you?
DJK: Because I care that we all live better. I can't stand ugliness, I want us all to learn to live in a beautiful and harmonious environment.
L: Your style is a kind of collage between classic chic with bright colors and luxurious textures. How do you describe your style and what inspires you to create it?
DJK: I think it's important that interiors invite us to travel. The eye has to have surprises in every corner, I'm very good at collecting colors and patterns to put them together and create a cool style, I'm totally anti-boredom! I consider myself an interior designer artist, in almost all my projects I do something myself, from a mural to art installations.
L: Let's talk about San Miguel de Allende. What was it like for you to first come to the town? What made you stay and expand your creativity through your work?
DJK: I've known SMA since '93! Since then, it has always been in my mind the only city where I could live outside of CDMX. Four years ago I had the opportunity to open a gallery in Fábrica La Aurora, and the Covid-19 pandemic gave me the final push to stay the 85% of my time here. Now I need to stay the last 15% and start accepting projects right here in San Miguel.
L: We have spoken to other renowned designers and the same question comes to mind, so we would love to know your answer as well… There has always been a battle of egos between designers and artists: Do you really think there is a line that separates design from art and vice versa?
DJK: Very difficult! I believe it does exist.
L: Finally, do you think there are similarities between Belgian and Mexican design? How do you find that balance for your gallery in La Aurora?
DJK: I think Belgian surrealism translates into my work, and has its familiarity with Mexican ethnic art where I have found that middle ground to continue experimenting.
We thank Dirk and Martha from Baila for all the facilities for this edition of LOCAL. Visit their Instagram profiles @Dirkjankine Interiors @marthadebailakinet either write to him to learn more about their projects and services.
Find LOCAL June 2021 in hotels, restaurants, concept stores, galleries and all the hotspots around San Miguel de Allende; and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to find out about new places and everything that's happening in the city. See you next time 'On the Cover'!
