Corina Olaru on Reviving Retros Gallery: ‘Design Is a Dialogue Between Past and Present’
Retros Gallery blends vintage design with modern vision. Since joining as Creative Director and later becoming owner, Corina Olaru has transformed the gallery into a curated lifestyle destination.
Corina’s background spans art, photography, advertising, and interior design. She founded Room12 aparthotel and Artful Living app, and designed her interiors with mid-century modern pieces and curated photos.
In this interview, Corina shares her journey, collecting philosophy, and vision for Retros. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to vintage design, her insights invite you to see how the past and present connect through thoughtful curation.
1. What was the first object that made you fall in love with design?
It was indeed love—but it wasn’t about an object. It was the moment I realized that interior design brings together all the elements I had explored in my artistic and photography background. What fascinates me most is the ultimate goal of interior design: to provide someone with an environment that empowers them and helps them reach their full potential.
2. How did Retros Gallery begin?
Retros was founded by Marius Gherghinaru. With a refined eye and a distinct taste in furniture aesthetics, Marius was a pioneer of this industry in Romania.
I first discovered Retros while working on interiors for Room12. Like most designers, I started out buying new furniture online—but was quickly disappointed with the quality and ergonomics once I saw them in person. By chance, while I was still working as a photographer, I had a shoot at the Retros showroom. It felt like Alice in Wonderland to me. I immediately began integrating vintage Mid-Century Modern pieces into my interior design projects. Since then, I’ve never stopped being amazed by the aesthetic, modernity, and ergonomics of the furniture from that era.
3. Have you ever doubted your direction — and how did you overcome it?
It’s been a privilege to invest my trust, time, and money into a product I never doubted. Once you read what leading international design authorities say about Mid-Century Modern vintage furniture—that it’s the element that brings personality to any interior style—there’s little room for doubt.
As an interior designer, what validates this product even more is seeing how often my favorite designers and architects use it in their own projects: Kelly Wearstler, Dimore Studio, Hugo Toro, Pierre Yovanovitch, and many others. So far, the challenges at Retros have been more about educating the Romanian market and marketing the brand internationally.
4. What makes a piece truly worth collecting, in your view?
I always start with ergonomics and functionality before anything else. Not to compromise on aesthetics—but to begin my analysis from that point. Any piece should naturally fit into its context and narrative. I look for several essential qualities: good ergonomics, a timeless modern style, and long-lasting quality.
Most of the pieces we offer are 50–70 years old and still in excellent condition—which means they’ll last another 50 years at least.
5. If Retros were a person, how would you describe their personality?
Ah, Retros is tender, warm, and timeless—with the taste and scent of Proust’s madeleines. But at the same time, it can surprise you with color, life, and a futuristic spirit. You never get bored. You’re always intrigued and drawn in by its vivid forms—as if Apollo 11 were about to take off from your living room.
Or, to paraphrase Andrei Bortun when asked about his home, I’d say: “It would probably be a woman.”
6. What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about vintage furniture?
Most people who haven’t had the chance to learn more about this type of furniture see it as just “second-hand.” That’s why we consistently focus on activities that communicate the real value of vintage design.
The 1950s to 1970s were a special time—many pieces were designed and engineered by the greatest architects of that era. Today, that level of design and craftsmanship is rare. If we compare it to fashion, each MCM furniture piece is like an iconic Chanel jacket, a vintage Hermès Birkin bag, or a pair of classic Louboutin stilettos.
7. How do you stay inspired creatively? Where do you look for new energy?
I’m inspired by the people I work with—my clients. It’s amazing how often we already have all the energy we need to recharge right in front of us. If you have eyes to see and ears to hear, the space reveals authentic information that you can use to create something meaningful.
8. What advice would you give to someone decorating their first home?
Question your own personality and lifestyle deeply.
Dare to use color.
Stay simple, but stay warm.
Mix old and new in a way that feels personal.
Look into the work of Kelly Wearstler or Dimore Studio—and then consider choosing an armchair, a sideboard, a floor lamp, a coffee table, or a chaise longue from Retros.
9. What’s next for Retros Gallery?
We see design as sitting on the boundary between art and functionality. Our goal is to elevate this boundary—and to create a bridge, a shared space between the two.
