"Small Scale, Big Change", at this year's 100% Hotel Show, with Tenia Menegaki, at booth A13
In an era defined by fast consumption and costly obsolescence, the design landscape often defaults to the disruptive, high-budget necessity of complete renovation. Yet, a powerful counter-movement is emerging—one that respects history, amplifies existing beauty, and operates within the constraints of continuous operation.
This philosophy is the cornerstone of Small Scale, Big Change (SSBC), a visionary collaboration spearheaded by designers Nana Kantsa and Tenia Menegaki. Together with an expansive, living network of artists, artisans, and specialist partners, we have formalized the concept of interior design lifting: a methodology that uses precise, thoughtful, and low-cost interventions to deliver monumental shifts in identity and atmosphere.
Lifting: The Art of Creative Edit The SSBC approach is not about demolition; it is about elevation. It rejects the wasteful cycle of gutting a space and replacing it with a generic, trend-driven aesthetic. Instead, interior lifting acts as a creative alternative, utilizing small-scale adjustments that minimize cost and avoid the crippling downtime associated with full construction.
The methodology is profoundly rooted in context. Before any material change is proposed, the team immerses itself in the inherent spirit of the location. They draw inspiration from the existing place, unearth its history, and decipher its latent narrative. The resulting design is not imposed upon the space, but drawn out of it—a tailored solution designed to strengthen the client's identity and forge deep, emotional ties between the structure and its inhabitants or patrons.
The Collaborative Ecosystem The true power of SSBC resides in its collaborative nature. Nana Kantsa and Tenia Menegaki function as creative directors, orchestrating a diverse ensemble of craftsmen whose specialized skills turn small changes into significant statements. This extensive network—encompassing ceramicists, textile artists, metalworkers, and sign painters—ensures that every detail is bespoke, handcrafted, and imbued with originality.
This model is inherently resilient and responsive. By utilizing specialized local artists and artisans, SSBC injects authenticity into the project while simultaneously supporting the ecosystem of independent creation. The scale may be small, but the reach is broad, fostering a collective approach where design becomes a shared, community-driven endeavor.
Small Scale, Big Change: The Five Axes
To ensure a holistic and impactful transformation, the SSBC methodology is structured along five fundamental axes. These elements, when strategically applied, work in concert to rewrite the sensory experience of a space:
1. Greenery
The introduction of strategic botanical elements immediately softens architectural lines and injects vitality. Greenery is utilized not merely as decoration, but as a dynamic component of well-being and atmosphere. It provides contrast, texture, and a sense of living growth, instantly making a space feel healthier and more welcoming.
2. Art
Original artwork serves as the visual signature of the space. Moving beyond mass-produced prints, SSBC commissions pieces tailored to the specific narrative. Whether through sculpture, painting, or installation, art acts asa conversation starter, reinforcing the unique identity and expressing the emotional tone of the location.
3. Tabletop The tabletop represents the most intimate interface between the patron and the space. This axis focuses on the tactile experience—custom ceramics, etched glassware, unique cutlery, and thoughtfully chosen linens. These subtle elements elevate the quality of interaction, turning a mundane moment into a curated sensory experience.
4. Surfaces Rather than tearing down walls, SSBC focuses on creative enhancement of existing surfaces. This might involve customized paint treatments, textile overlays, strategic tiling, or texture application that redefines the depth and perception of the environment. The focus is always on minimal structural intervention with maximum visual impact, respecting the underlying architecture.
5. Lettering Lettering goes beyond simple signage; it is the voice of the space. This axis involves bespoke typography, hand-painted murals, custom menus, and etched quotes that communicate the brand's story and ethos. Implemented by specialist sign painters and typographers, this element translates the narrative inspiration into tangible, identity-strengthening messages.
The Outcome: Emotional Residency Small Scale, Big Change proves that profound transformation does not require commensurate destruction or vast capital. By focusing the energy of a wide-ranging creative collective through the strategic lens of the Five Axes, Nana Kantsa and Tenia Menegaki offer a powerful paradigm shift.
The result of interior lifting is not just a refreshed look, but a strengthened soul. Spaces touched by SSBC gain clarity, depth, and a compelling narrative, ensuring that patrons or residents don’t just visit—they develop an authentic, lasting emotional tie to the refreshed environment. This is the enduring proof that sometimes, the most significant changes are achieved not through radical overhaul, but through meticulous, creative collaboration at the smallest scale.
"Small Scale, Big Change", at this year's 100% Hotel Show, with Tenia Menegaki, at booth A13
In an era defined by fast consumption and costly obsolescence, the design landscape often defaults to the disruptive, high-budget necessity of complete renovation. Yet, a powerful counter-movement is emerging—one that respects history, amplifies existing beauty, and operates within the constraints of continuous operation.
This philosophy is the cornerstone of Small Scale, Big Change (SSBC), a visionary collaboration spearheaded by designers Nana Kantsa and Tenia Menegaki. Together with an expansive, living network of artists, artisans, and specialist partners, we have formalized the concept of interior design lifting: a methodology that uses precise, thoughtful, and low-cost interventions to deliver monumental shifts in identity and atmosphere.
Lifting: The Art of Creative Edit
The SSBC approach is not about demolition; it is about elevation. It rejects the wasteful cycle of gutting a space and replacing it with a generic, trend-driven aesthetic. Instead, interior lifting acts as a creative alternative, utilizing small-scale adjustments that minimize cost and avoid the crippling downtime associated with full construction.
The methodology is profoundly rooted in context. Before any material change is proposed, the team immerses itself in the inherent spirit of the location. They draw inspiration from the existing place, unearth its history, and decipher its latent narrative. The resulting design is not imposed upon the space, but drawn out of it—a tailored solution designed to strengthen the client's identity and forge deep, emotional ties between the structure and its inhabitants or patrons.
The Collaborative Ecosystem
The true power of SSBC resides in its collaborative nature. Nana Kantsa and Tenia Menegaki function as creative directors, orchestrating a diverse ensemble of craftsmen whose specialized skills turn small changes into significant statements. This extensive network—encompassing ceramicists, textile artists, metalworkers, and sign painters—ensures that every detail is bespoke, handcrafted, and imbued with originality.
This model is inherently resilient and responsive. By utilizing specialized local artists and artisans, SSBC injects authenticity into the project while simultaneously supporting the ecosystem of independent creation. The scale may be small, but the reach is broad, fostering a collective approach where design becomes a shared, community-driven endeavor.
Small Scale, Big Change: The Five Axes
To ensure a holistic and impactful transformation, the SSBC methodology is structured along five fundamental axes. These elements, when strategically applied, work in concert to rewrite the sensory experience of a space:
1. Greenery
The introduction of strategic botanical elements immediately softens architectural lines and injects vitality. Greenery is utilized not merely as decoration, but as a dynamic component of well-being and atmosphere. It provides contrast, texture, and a sense of living growth, instantly making a space feel healthier and more welcoming.
2. Art
Original artwork serves as the visual signature of the space. Moving beyond mass-produced prints, SSBC commissions pieces tailored to the specific narrative. Whether through sculpture, painting, or installation, art acts asa conversation starter, reinforcing the unique identity and expressing the emotional tone of the location.
3. Tabletop
The tabletop represents the most intimate interface between the patron and the space. This axis focuses on the tactile experience—custom ceramics, etched glassware, unique cutlery, and thoughtfully chosen linens. These subtle elements elevate the quality of interaction, turning a mundane moment into a curated sensory experience.
4. Surfaces
Rather than tearing down walls, SSBC focuses on creative enhancement of existing surfaces. This might involve customized paint treatments, textile overlays, strategic tiling, or texture application that redefines the depth and perception of the environment. The focus is always on minimal structural intervention with maximum visual impact, respecting the underlying architecture.
5. Lettering
Lettering goes beyond simple signage; it is the voice of the space. This axis involves bespoke typography, hand-painted murals, custom menus, and etched quotes that communicate the brand's story and ethos. Implemented by specialist sign painters and typographers, this element translates the narrative inspiration into tangible, identity-strengthening messages.
The Outcome: Emotional Residency
Small Scale, Big Change proves that profound transformation does not require commensurate destruction or vast capital. By focusing the energy of a wide-ranging creative collective through the strategic lens of the Five Axes, Nana Kantsa and Tenia Menegaki offer a powerful paradigm shift.
The result of interior lifting is not just a refreshed look, but a strengthened soul. Spaces touched by SSBC gain clarity, depth, and a compelling narrative, ensuring that patrons or residents don’t just visit—they develop an authentic, lasting emotional tie to the refreshed environment. This is the enduring proof that sometimes, the most significant changes are achieved not through radical overhaul, but through meticulous, creative collaboration at the smallest scale.