words Alp Tekin 

portrait photos Abdullah Abukan

Having opened the first Turkish store of the Spanish outdoor brand, Vondom, at addresistanbul Home Decoration Center, Som Interior founders Özge Yıldız Taşkıran and Berat Taşkıran keep making new expansions. Creating a new brand called Meet The Icons at addresistanbul and soon launching the products of their outdoor brand Atmosphera in Türkiye, Taşkıran couple says, "We closely follow the current design developments around the world", and adds, "Our goal is to always be a few steps ahead in this field in Türkiye".

 

How did the journey of Som Interior begin?   

 

We founded it in 2012 in Çukurcuma, Istanbul. We aimed to present the concept of modern furniture, which we constantly think about while designing and implementing projects, as our main business, to everyone by creating a new brand. At the time we created our brand, it simply would not be easy to find furniture of high quality and up-to-date design in Türkiye, except for imported furniture. That is why we have managed to become a brand that is admired and followed in a short time.

 

How would you briefly describe Som Interior's design line?   

 

Som Interior's design line is to offer sophisticated and original designs with high quality. We closely follow the current design around the world and strive to be a few steps ahead in this field in our country. We bring the concept of modern luxury to interiors with original furniture in simple lines, but making a difference in details and material choices.

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What is the content of your new concept, Meet The Icons?

 

Meet the Icons is our new concept featuring iconic pieces of the design world whose lines we find close to our own. Our aim here is to include products that are complementary to ours. Primarily lighting, as well as coffee tables and consoles, and iconic furniture... We tried to offer a new space that gives the sense of touring a design museum. In Meet The Icons, we feature lighting brands including Martinelli Luce, Nemo, Foscarini, Oluce, and Contardi, as well as Zanotta, Glas Italia, and other brands that stand out and are recognized for their designs. 

 

WE WERE IMPRESSED by THE UNIQUENESS OF VONDOM DESIGNS 

 

You launched Vondom's first store in Türkiye. Why Vondom?

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We always intended to bring our success in indoor furniture to the outdoors. We received a lot of requests for this. Although we produced our designs, we were not able to offer a holistic outdoor solution. As we crossed paths with Vondom, we were impressed by the uniqueness of its design language and its exceptional outdoor furniture. Working with some of the world's best designers, Vondom has a wide range of products, all elements of which are made in Europe, addressing many different needs, from the pool and beach to the garden, the terrace of a luxury villa, and even large social spaces such as shopping malls and hospitals. It is a brand that combines modern design language with quality materials in all these products. That's why we believed that Vondom would fit very well into our brand culture.

 

Atmosphera will also be included among your brands soon...

 

Yes, Atmosphera is a brand that combines Italian elegance with teak, ceramic and colorful materials. As Som Interior, we wish to offer different alternatives to outdoor products by combining them. In doing so, we care that our customers enjoy the service with the Som Interior difference. So, we are going to keep adding special selections from different brands to our outdoor collection. 

 

MUST BE RESISTANT TO SUNLIGHT 

 

So, what are the features you pay the most attention to in outdoor products?

 

The most significant feature is, of course, the product's resistance to UV light, sea salt, weather conditions, etc. Also the ease of maintenance. The Vondom products in particular are certified to withstand sunlight, sea salt, fire, and even weather conditions down to -70 degrees Celsius. And this is a big advantage for use and maintenance.