Three questions posed to: Mihad Hoxhaj, painter

I was always talented when it came to handcrafts. I was also very interested in shaping things, making them more beautiful. This is only possible to a limited extent as an electrician or car mechanic, for example. That is why I chose to become a painter. Here I can use my manual skills and be creative.

Before I came to Döttling, I was an automotive painter for classic cars. This was already handwork at a very high level, and there was no room for errors. But the work at Döttling tops even this. Here, everything needs to be 100% perfect. Our high-gloss finishes are so even and brilliant that you could use them as a shaving mirror. A grand piano is a snap in comparison. Transforming antique safes into the state they had when they were first made – I find this brilliant. Of course, it takes time. And we are given plenty of that here at Döttling.

The Legends No. 180! I still dream about that safe today. As many as 16 to 20 clear lacquer coatings alone were used on the safe. That was 98% handcraft. In the end, I worked for over three months on this antique luxury safe and it had a little surprise in store for me nearly every day. But the moment when the Legends No. 180 was finally finished was indescribably beautiful.