Steve Gonçalves, also known as @Mister_Minimalist on Instagram, has always had an interest in home décor and design from an early age. While he found himself re-arranging his bedroom every few months, his interest in home décor and design really intensified when a life-changing event required him to reconnect with his inner self. Steve found himself reading interior design books, watching TV shows and YouTube videos about interior design, and throughout the process, it became a sort of therapy for him.
Vintage IKEA furniture has become a central theme in Steve’s home décor. Even in his early teenage years, IKEA has always been a pillar to him. People tend to go to IKEA to grab the next affordable piece of furniture. However, what really sparked his passion happened a year ago when Steve spotted the Ikea PS Spotlight projector designed by Ola Wihlborg and shared it on Instagram. The rest is history. It peaked Steve’s interest to keep an eye out for other items that had become "rarities" and were appreciated by many. As he started sharing some of these finds, he got a huge wave of appreciation.
With the brand name ‘Mister Minimalist’, some may wonder about Steve’s process of integrating vintage pieces into a modern or minimalist aesthetic, while still maintaining a cohesive and stylish look. For many people, minimalism is understood as minimal décor and color, with the mentality of only keeping items that serve a clear purpose or make you happy. But for Mister Minimalist himself, it's much more than that. For him, it's a celebration of embracing color, texture and accepting that if you do fall in love with a décor piece, that you can buy it. However, you must keep in mind that another item that excites you less may have to go in its place. It's a fine line but one he decided to take, and in the end, its shaped who he is today. Vintage pieces, if well chosen, can blend in perfectly with newer pieces of furniture.
When it comes to the process of interior design, audio also plays a large role in creating, connecting and elevating spaces. For Steve, music is such a big part of his creative process, especially when filming a reel or capturing an essence while taking pictures. Music is a language that speaks differently through genres for each individual and nothing beats a good track playing (or blasting) while he’s creating content. The Songbook specifically, being Mister Minimalists go-to speaker, really plays a big part in his creative process now.
The world of home décor and design, especially when it comes to unique vintage finds, can often be overwhelming. When first getting started, walking into thrift stores, flea markets or even scrolling through Facebook Marketplace can become an overwhelming task. Steve personally uses the "scanning method" when visiting a thrift store, which consists of looking from left to right, up to down. However, the finds you find will be worth it. For example, one of Steve’s favorite vintage décor finds – the Enetri shelf which was released by IKEA in the 80's and designed by Niels Gammelgaard - is a masterpiece that deserves constant attention and recognition in his eyes.