Italian designer Paola Navone creates exquisite ‘floating island’ furniture with Baxter

This article discusses an experimental collaboration between Italian furniture brand Cappellini and Swedish flooring company Bolon, focusing on the innovative use of Bolon's woven vinyl material as upholstery for furniture. Giulio Cappellini, the director of Cappellini, details how his company is integrating Bolon's new material into their furniture designs, marking a significant departure from its traditional use as flooring. The collaboration centers around a new version of the Anemos coffee table, originally designed by Italian designer Antonio Facco for Cappellini in 2015. The initial Anemos product featured a wooden table with four padded seats, which could be retracted to form a unified, monolithic shape. Cappellini and Facco sought to reimagine this design, aiming for a softer aesthetic with fully upholstered seats. For this new iteration, they chose Bolon's Villa La Madonna material. This hybrid material, first introduced in a collection of experimental rugs at Stockholm Design Week, combines strips of vinyl with other textiles like wool and polyester. Facco highlights the material's durability, which surpasses that of conventional upholstery fabrics, enabling its application not only on the seats but also on the tabletop. This decision allows for a cohesive and unified visual appeal across the entire piece of furniture, blurring the lines between different surfaces within a space. Cappellini's relationship with Bolon dates back several years, with prior collaborations involving Bolon flooring in installations and showrooms. However, this project represents their initial foray into utilizing Bolon's material for furniture upholstery. The current result is a prototype of the Anemos table, serving as an experimental foundation for future developments. Both companies view this project as a crucial experimental phase. Cappellini expresses commitment to further developing furniture designs with Bolon, anticipating that this prototype could evolve into a commercially viable product within approximately a year. The article is part of a 12-part video series, “Bolon at Heart,” produced by Dezeen, which explores Bolon's history, design philosophies, and technological advancements. #FurnitureDesign #BolonFlooring #CappelliniFurniture #ExperimentalMaterials #InteriorDesignInnovation #WovenVinylUpholstery #AntonioFacco #VillaLaMadonna

The Superonda Sofa, a modular furniture piece originally designed in 1967 by the Florentine group Archizoom Associati, has been reinterpreted with a new covering by designer Bethan Laura Wood. Wood was invited by Poltronova, the manufacturer of the Superonda Sofa, to create a new textile design that would infuse the iconic piece with a contemporary aesthetic while honoring its experimental roots. The sofa is known for its two sinuous polyurethane foam blocks that can be arranged in various configurations to accommodate different seating or lounging positions, challenging traditional notions of static furniture. Bethan Laura Wood's inspiration for the new covering, named Superonda Terrazzo, stems from her 2010 residency experience in a Venetian palazzo. This experience deeply influenced her design approach, leading her to conceptualize a faux terrazzo pattern. This pattern is imagined as being composed of precious stones extracted from a "hypothetical psychedelic landscape" that the Superonda Sofa itself creates through its form and modularity. The design seeks to transform the sofa into a vibrant and fantastical object that encourages user interaction rather than just passive sitting. The faux terrazzo pattern is characterized by its dynamic colors and intricate design. The choice of terrazzo as a motif is particularly relevant given its historical connection to Venetian architecture and design, often seen in grand palaces and public spaces. Wood's interpretation, however, is not a literal recreation but a playful, imaginative take on the material, reflecting the counter-culture ethos of the original Superonda design. Poltronova, the company behind the Superonda Sofa, has a history of collaborating with innovative designers and architects, fostering experimental and avant-garde furniture designs. The original Superonda, with its radical simplicity and adaptability, was a significant product of the Italian Radical Design movement of the 1960s. It represented a departure from conventional furniture, emphasizing freedom of use and a more relaxed approach to living spaces. Wood's Superonda Terrazzo aims to continue this legacy of innovation by introducing a visual language that is both historical and futuristic. The new textile recontextualizes the sofa, making it appealing to a contemporary audience while maintaining the spirit of its origins. The resulting piece is not merely furniture but an art object that stimulates imagination and engagement, inviting users to explore its various forms and patterns. #SuperondaSofa #TerrazzoDesign #BethanLauraWood #Poltronova #ArchizoomAssociati #FurnitureDesign #InteriorDesign #ItalianDesign #ModularFurniture

The Teatro Magico table, designed by Architecture studio 967 Arch for Saba, represents a novel approach to furniture design, drawing inspiration from the inherent qualities of fabric. The design reinterprets the softness and malleability typically associated with textiles, translating these characteristics into the table's base through the use of printed lacquered polyurethane. This material choice allows for a sculptural form that evokes the fluid drape of fabric while maintaining the structural integrity required for a table. The aesthetic foundation of the Teatro Magico table is deeply rooted in Saba's established expertise in utilizing textiles and sophisticated color palettes within their product narratives. The table's design is a direct nod to this heritage, showcasing how material inspiration can be transformed into a distinct and compelling furniture piece. The base of the table is conceived with versatility in mind, allowing for individual use or a combined arrangement, which offers flexibility in various interior settings. This modularity ensures that the table can adapt to different spatial requirements and aesthetic preferences. Complementing the distinctive base are the clean-lined table tops, available in a range of sizes and shapes, specifically round and oval. The color options for the table tops include white, silk grey, and nude, selected to harmonize with the sculptural bases. These monochromatic finishes are instrumental in highlighting the table's curved forms. The interplay between the table's curves and its uniform coloring creates dynamic shadows, which shift and deepen based on the intensity and direction of ambient light. This interaction between form, color, and light contributes significantly to the table's overall visual appeal, making it a focal point in any room. When the individual components of the Teatro Magico table are brought together, the result is a bold and commanding piece of sculptural furniture. Its presence in a space is designed to attract attention and serve as a statement. The combination of innovative material application, thoughtful design philosophy, and a focus on visual impact positions the Teatro Magico table as a significant contribution to contemporary home furnishings, illustrating how furniture can transcend mere functionality to become an art form. #SculpturalFurniture #ModernDesign #InteriorDesign #HomeFurnishings #SabaItalia #967Arch #TableDesign #PolyurethaneFurniture #ContemporaryFurniture

Italy, a nation celebrated for its historical prowess in navigation, is extending its legacy into the realm of modern nautical design. This article explores how Made in Italy design and technology are seamlessly integrated into the creation of luxurious superyachts and innovative watercraft, showcasing a fusion of tradition and contemporary aesthetics. From legendary vessels like the Amerigo Vespucci and the Andrea Doria, which featured interiors by design icons such as Gio Ponti, to exclusive modern cruisers and superyachts, Italian design has consistently defined excellence in the maritime sector. Contemporary architects and designers are actively shaping the future of yacht interiors, infusing them with comfort, style, and innovative solutions that reflect the sophisticated Italian way of life. For instance, the superyacht SX 112, with interiors by Piero Lissoni, stands out for its pure, crisp style, a 90 square meter beach area in the stern, and a unique spiral staircase enclosed in a transparent volume, creating an illusion of suspension. This design emphasizes original living quarters and a connection to the surrounding environment. Another significant project is the Custom Line Navetta 30, designed by Antonio Citterio, Patricia Viel, and Filippo Salvetti. This vessel is recognized for its careful selection of natural materials like leather, wood, and rope, alongside a distinctive circular motif that informs its curved lines. The design subtly references nautical traditions with blue accents in walls, furnishings, and textiles, complemented by a custom resin film on bulkheads and a meticulous lighting design that integrates light and architecture. Flexform furnishings, including the Evergreen sofa and A.B.C.D. armchairs, further enhance its elegance. Simone Ciarmoli and Miguel Queda’s M/Y Dream represents another ambitious venture, a 105-meter yacht spanning six decks with extensive amenities, including multiple lounges, dining areas, a SPA, and a panoramic swimming pool. The design incorporates references to French decor masters and features boiserie as a unifying element between indoor and outdoor spaces. Artistic elements, such as mosaic floors depicting marine life, serve as a declaration of love for the sea, all executed with skilled artisan processes and precious materials. Brands like Flexform, Annibale Colombo, Rubelli, Tabu, and Rosenthal contribute to the opulent interiors. Other notable Italian contributions include Medea 1905’s CRN M/Y Latona Yacht, celebrating Liberty-style aesthetics; Molteni&C;'s collaboration on Benetti Yachts’ Oasis 40M Rebeca, featuring iconic pieces by Gio Ponti and Tobia Scarpa; and Poltrona Frau’s specialized seating solutions for prestigious nautical brands like Ferretti Yacht and Riva. International designers are also making their mark. Patricia Urquiola’s SD96 for Sanlorenzo focuses on meticulous space research and material innovation, including recycled fiberglass for furniture. Foster+Partners have contributed several high-end yachts, such as the Ocean Emerald, notable for its multiple ownership model. David Chipperfield, a keen sailor, designed the minimalist yet comfortable interiors of the Tankoa S65-11 maxi-yacht and the sophisticated Brenta 80 D carbon cruiser. Giugiaro Architettura developed the ecologically conscious Tankoa S65-12 mega yacht. Fashion designer Giorgio Armani has also ventured into superyacht design with a 72-meter Admiral motor yacht, set to launch in 2024, blending fashion house aesthetics with advanced technology. Furthermore, Pierpaolo Lazzarini’s Jet Capsule offers a glimpse into future watercraft with its customizable, high-performing mini-yacht concept, assembled by hand with advanced hydro propulsion systems and sustainable features. These diverse projects underscore the dynamic evolution of nautical interior design, where luxury, innovation, and Italian craftsmanship converge. #NauticalDesign #MadeInItaly #YachtInteriors #LuxuryYachts #InteriorDesign #ItalianCraftsmanship #SuperyachtDesign #MarineArchitecture #DesignInnovation

This article highlights 60 of the best online furniture stores, offering a comprehensive guide for individuals looking to redecorate or furnish their homes. It emphasizes the convenience and expanded selection available through online shopping compared to traditional brick-and-mortar stores. The article details various retailers, each with unique selling points, price ranges, and aesthetic focuses, catering to diverse tastes and needs. TOV is noted for its accessible Amazon presence, which mitigates long lead times often associated with furniture purchases, providing quick delivery for items like bouclé swivel chairs and concrete coffee tables. Perigold, owned by Wayfair, is presented as a luxury online-only brand that makes trade-only designer goods accessible to a broader audience, featuring high-end items such as the Meyda Lighting Table Lamp and My Chic Nest Amalie Upholstered Bed. Birch Lane, another Wayfair-owned entity, is positioned as a mid-range option with a cottagecore aesthetic, offering items like the Walters Upholstered Armchair and Anatonia Wingback Chair, often with white glove delivery. Cura Home distinguishes itself with unique, original furniture and decor pieces that boast distinctive elements not found elsewhere, including the Camden Console Table and Axel Office Chair. Quince, primarily known for affordable cashmere, surprisingly offers furniture, including bed frames and sofas like the Stillman Leather Sofa and Linen Curved Bed, expanding its product range beyond textiles. GreenRow focuses on sustainable design, manufacturing, and shipping, with all products made in the U.S.A., characterized by bright colors, fun patterns, and ornately carved wood, exemplified by the Hadley Velvet Sofa and Chloe Spindle Leg End Table. Le Maé, launched by designer Lindye Galloway, showcases a California-cool vibe with natural wood and earthy tones in pieces such as the Brille Sofa and Katelyn Nightstand. Article provides Scandinavian-inspired furniture that is affordable, stylish, and high-quality, known for its blend of modern aesthetics and durability, as seen in the Leigh Corner Chair Module and Cassie Chenille Oak Bed. AllModern, as its name suggests, specializes in modern furniture with a midcentury feel, updated for contemporary durability and sleek silhouettes, offering items like the Geo 2-Piece Upholstered Reversible Chaise L-Sectional. Frontgate is highlighted for its in-house designed furniture, particularly its durable outdoor collections, but also indoor pieces like the Chapman Swivel Bar & Counter Stool and Dolcetto Round Expandable Dining Table. Saatva, famous for mattresses, also offers bedroom-specific furniture made to order without chemicals, focusing on sustainability, including the Rx Mattress and various bed frames. Castlery emphasizes timeless classics over fleeting trends, providing durable and comfortable pieces like wood dining tables and bed frames with storage, exemplified by the Lily Dining Table and Marlow Performance Bouclé Curve Sofa. Amazon is recognized for its vast furniture selection, including its own brands like Rivet and Stone & Beam, catering to diverse styles from industrial to midcentury modern. Wayfair offers an extensive inventory at competitive prices, coupled with strong customer service, providing everything from bed frames to dishes. West Elm provides higher-end affordable furniture and decor, known for its stylish offerings like the Solstice 6-Drawer Dresser and Andes Side Storage Bed. Serena & Lily appeals to lovers of preppy-coastal style with classically chic furniture and decor, such as the iconic Riviera Rattan Bar & Counter Stools and the Soho Sateen Duvet Cover, known for artisanal craftsmanship. Anthropologie's home section is praised for its stunning, unique, bohemian-inspired pieces, including cane beds and elegant duvet sets. Nordstrom, while not a primary furniture retailer, is noted for essential home items, especially high-quality bedding from brands like Boll & Branch. Etsy stands out as a marketplace for one-of-a-kind, handmade, and vintage items, allowing for personalized decor choices and supporting local artisans through its shop location filter. Finally, Albany Park, created by a husband-and-wife duo, focuses on simplifying the sofa-buying process by offering universally comfortable and stylish models like the Kova Pit and Lido Sofa, emphasizing ease of assembly and design. #OnlineFurniture #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #FurnitureShopping #SustainableDesign #LuxuryFurniture #ModernFurniture #ScandinavianDesign #CoastalStyle

The Italian design brand Desiree, established in 1968, exemplifies a synthesis of quality, innovation, and collaboration in its furniture creation. This commitment is evident in the Melvil sofa, a new design resulting from a partnership with French designer Marc Sadler. The Melvil sofa offers a modern interpretation of Bauhaus principles, integrating elements of fine art with industrial craftsmanship. The Bauhaus movement, founded in Germany in the early 20th century by architect Walter Gropius, championed geometric simplicity, functional design, and the seamless integration of art, craft, and technology. Influential figures like Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer emphasized clean lines, practicality, and an industrial approach to materials, values that continue to shape contemporary design. Marc Sadler’s Melvil sofa pays homage to this legacy while introducing a contemporary flair to its geometric precision. The sofa is constructed from three primary components: a deep, capitonné-effect seat; adjustable, movable backrests; and a robust black chromed-metal frame. These elements combine to form a modular design that allows for flexible seating arrangements, accommodating various user preferences and spatial requirements. The backrests are not fixed, providing the ability to create different configurations for comfort or aesthetic appeal. Users can choose straight or angled backrests, or a combination of both, offering extensive personalization options. Key to the Melvil sofa's appeal is its adaptability. Its modular components, available in both linear and angular forms, facilitate numerous arrangements, ranging from simple, streamlined setups to more dynamic configurations. This versatility makes the sofa suitable for diverse environments, whether a formal seating area or a casual lounge. This inherent flexibility, coupled with its clean, geometric aesthetics, directly reflects the Bauhaus principle of functionalism, ensuring the piece is not only visually pleasing but also highly practical and user-adaptable. Beyond its utilitarian aspects, the Melvil sofa incorporates refined details. The capitonné upholstery introduces a touch of luxury, contrasting and complementing the industrial character of the black metal frame. Subtle stitching details enhance the sofa’s sleek profile, achieving a balanced interplay between softness and structural integrity. Sadler’s collaboration with Desiree on the Melvil sofa is part of a broader history of their joint projects, all reflecting Desiree’s philosophy of expressing emotion through design, influenced by the tranquil landscapes of Treviso, Italy. Desiree, under the ownership of Gruppo Euromobil since 1995, has also broadened its focus to include sustainability. The company employs eco-friendly and recyclable materials in its production processes, ensuring that environmental impact is minimized without compromising product quality. This dedication to circularity extends to its packaging, which is fully recyclable. The Melvil sofa is offered in a wide array of luxurious fabrics and leathers, providing numerous customization options to seamlessly integrate into various interior styles, from minimalist to eclectic or traditional. Ultimately, the Melvil sofa exemplifies Desiree’s and the Bauhaus tradition’s commitment to purposeful design. It combines aesthetic allure with functional utility. Its modular structure ensures flexibility and comfort, while its ergonomic design offers sustained support. Constructed from robust materials, the sofa is built for durability, making it an ideal choice for modern interiors. #FurnitureDesign #BauhausDesign #ModularSofa #MarcSadler #DesireeFurniture #InteriorDesign #SustainableDesign #ItalianDesign

This article explores the careers and notable contributions of three prominent furniture designers: Antonio Citterio, Rodolfo Dordoni, and Piero Lissoni, each known for their significant impact on the home furnishing industry through architectural and industrial design. It highlights their individual approaches, key collaborations, and signature pieces that have shaped contemporary design. Antonio Citterio, born in 1950 in Meda, is a two-time Compasso d’Oro winner and a graduate of the Polytechnic of Milan. His career is marked by collaborations with leading manufacturers such as Vitra, Flexform, Flos, and Kartell. Citterio has also served as the art director for B&B Italia and Maxalto, overseeing their retail showrooms globally. In 1999, he co-founded Antonio Citterio and Partners with Patricia Viel, a multidisciplinary firm that gained recognition for projects with Bulgari Hotels and Resorts, including the Bulgari Hotel in Milan (2004), the Bulgari Resort (2006), and the Bulgari restaurant and cafe in Tokyo (2007). He was honored with the Royal Designer for Industry award in 2007. His iconic furniture designs for B&B Italia include seating solutions like “Charles,” “Ray,” “Richard,” and “Diesis.” For Flexform, his best-selling “Groundpiece” sofa, a modular system featuring integrated coffee tables, shelves, and caddies, exemplifies his practical and adaptable design philosophy. Rodolfo Dordoni, a Milanese designer born in 1954, earned an architecture degree from the Polytechnic of Milan in 1979. He is celebrated for his elegant, essential, and innovatively detailed designs. Dordoni has provided art direction and corporate identity for numerous high-end Italian design brands, including Artemide (glass collection), Cappellini, Fontana Arte (furniture collection), Foscarini (lamps), Minotti, and Roda. His extensive work with Dolce & Gabbana since 1995 involved coordinating their image across various aspects, from their Milan headquarters to showrooms and boutiques worldwide. In 2005, he established Dordoni Architect Studios with Alessandro Acerbi and Luca Zaniboni, specializing in residential and commercial architectural planning and interior design. Dordoni’s success is rooted in a traditional and thorough design process that encompasses image strategies, product concepts, design development, and marketing. His designs are characterized by their emphasis on structure, proportion, and elegant functionality. Since 1998, Dordoni has been the art director for Minotti, a partnership that thrives on shared aesthetic principles and a commitment to blending tradition with technology to create premium “Made in Italy” products. His notable designs for Minotti include the “Hamilton” sofa and “Hopper” lounge chair. Piero Lissoni is another highly influential furniture designer who studied Architecture at the Politecnico di Milano, graduating in 1985. He began his career collaborating as a designer and art director with manufacturers such as Boffi, Living Divani, and Porro. In 1986, Lissoni co-founded Lissoni Associati with Nicoletta Canesi, and in 1996, they established Graph.x for graphic projects. The studio’s scope spans architectural, graphic, and industrial design, covering furniture, accessories, kitchens, bathrooms, lighting, corporate identity, advertising, catalogues, and packaging. Lissoni’s interior design portfolio includes hotels, showrooms, trade stands, private residences, shops, and yachts. His architectural projects include a private loft in Monza (2009), a villa near Como (2005), apartments in Milan and Tuscany (2010), and the Mamilla Hotel in Jerusalem (2009), along with various hotel renovations and new builds globally. He also designed showrooms for major brands like Boffi, Cassina, Porro, and Tecno, and renovated headquarters for Living Divani, Glas Italia, and Matteograssi. Lissoni’s firm has also undertaken unique projects such as the interior design for the 27-meter sailing yacht Ghost (2005) and the 50-meter motor yacht Tribù (2007) for Luciano Benetton. Graph.x has managed corporate identity for the Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica di Venezia. In 2010, the studio won a competition to rehabilitate a piazza in Maranello and construct a panoramic tower for the Galleria Ferrari museum. Today, Lissoni Associati employs over 70 professionals, working with clients like Alessi, Boffi, Cappellini, Cassina, Flos, Fritz Hansen, Glas Italia, Kartell, Knoll International, and Lema. His prominent furniture designs include the “8” sofa for Cassina, “Softline” sofas for Living Divani, and the “Materic” table for Porro. #FurnitureDesigners #ItalianDesign #AntonioCitterio #RodolfoDordoni #PieroLissoni #HomeDecor #LuxuryInteriors #ArchitecturalDesign #IndustrialDesign

Archeda, a family-owned business established in 1996 in Porcia, Friuli Venezia Giulia, specializes in creating bathroom furniture, accessories, and complements. The company's core philosophy revolves around culture and sharing, viewing them as essential tools to inspire and appreciate beauty. Archeda focuses on designing bathroom systems that are adaptable and multifunctional, transforming bathrooms into personalized spaces for self-care and well-being. Each collection is a blend of research and innovation, aiming to anticipate current and future design trends and lifestyle shifts. Founders Maurizio Poletto and Piergiorgio Verardo initiated the company with the vision of infusing beauty and innovation into bathroom design through a diverse range of furnishing solutions. The company’s expertise is rooted in a rich tradition of craftsmanship combined with a passion for design, embodying the resilience and foresight typical of "made in Italy" enterprises. The second generation, led by Alberto Poletto, Maurizio's son, has joined the business, bringing a clear and determined vision for future growth. Alberto Poletto's aspiration is to contribute to the family business by developing design furniture, and he aims to implement digitization processes for faster and more innovative services. He also plans to expand into new foreign markets to promote Archeda's core values globally. The manufacturing facility in Porcia spans 4,000 square meters, where a significant portion of the workforce has been dedicated to the company for two decades. These skilled professionals are responsible for processing raw materials, assembling, and crafting high-quality, durable design pieces. Archeda enhances its customer-centric approach by offering a digital configurator, which allows clients to design their bathrooms virtually. The company is deeply committed to sustainability, integrating eco-friendly materials such as wood and glass into its products and adopting environmentally conscious production methods. Longevity of products is a key priority, further supporting their sustainable practices. To minimize its environmental impact, Archeda powers its operations using photovoltaic panels installed on the company's rooftops. The brand's products are distributed throughout Italy via specialized thermo-hydro-sanitary and furniture shops. On the international front, Europe, particularly France, is a significant market accessed through traditional distribution channels. In the United States, Archeda strategically targets the Boutique Contract sector, collaborating with architects and design professionals in major cities like Miami, New York, and Chicago. This approach highlights their blend of traditional craftsmanship with modern business strategies and environmental responsibility.

The article highlights a growing trend away from mass-produced items towards unique, handcrafted furniture and home decor pieces that emphasize creativity, craft, and time-honored techniques. It showcases 15 such items from various global makers, positioning them as collectible interiors pieces that are worth investing in now for their potential to become future design classics. The featured items begin with a modern take on a classic: the Canopy Armchair from Marchmont Workshop, a handcrafted stickback chair inspired by woodlands and priced at £3,600. This piece reflects a return to traditional craftsmanship with a contemporary aesthetic. Following this, the article introduces hand-painted lampshades by Spanish artist-designer Alvaro Picardo, which can be custom-matched to interior paintwork and wallpaper using Farrow & Ball paints, starting from £110. These lampshades are presented as artistic finishing touches for living spaces. Another innovative item is the Vine Vase by Wobbly Digital, a Glasgow-based artist who creates eccentric 3D-printed objects from recycled and bioplastics, priced at £350. This vase is noted for its viral potential, akin to the popular Gluggle Jug, and is recommended for dried flowers only. Scarlett Farrer, a rising star in hand weaving, is featured for her rustic textiles, specifically wall hangings made from undyed British wool. Her work, ranging from £250 to £1,800, gained recognition after she won the 2024 Young Weaver of the Year award. The article then presents a statement chair designed by Esto Estudio in Madrid, which combines a tubular steel frame with vibrant orange fabric, blurring the lines between furniture and sculpture, starting from approximately £800. Rich Miller, a ceramic artist and judge on 'The Great Pottery Throw Down,' offers unique cone-shaped pendant lights inspired by antique sugar cones, each priced at £2,425. These lights explore the history of the sugar trade and Miller's cultural ancestry. Sustainability is a key theme, exemplified by Jacob Marks' resin lamps, made from pine resin, with the Red RF Lamp I priced at £730. These lamps were a highlight at the London Design Festival for their use of unusual sustainable materials. Xanthe Somers, a Zimbabwean ceramic artist, contributes surrealist stoneware from her 'Sisters Toil' series, which explores women's work and crafts, with pieces ranging from £6,500 to £9,000. Loney Abrams and Johnny Stanish of Wretched Flowers create mesh murals and chain mail lamps, drawing inspiration from diverse sources such as museum archives and medieval armor. These shimmering wall hangings are available on application. James Shaw's sustainable seat, priced at £2,000, is crafted from recycled plastic waste like milk cartons and shampoo bottles, transforming discarded materials into unique, organic forms. The master plasterers Ffion and Steven Blench, known as Chalk Plaster, produce marbled, fluted sidetables using scagliola, a 16th-century technique imitating marble, priced at £7,800. Freya Bramble-Carter, a ceramicist, offers wheel-thrown pots in earthy shades, blending traditional techniques with an expressive approach, starting from £900. Maria Sigma, a textile designer and weaver, focuses on zero-waste wares using natural, often undyed, fibers for her throws and cushions, with her 'Apricity' throw priced at £890, though it has an eight to ten-week waiting period. Joe Sweeney's terracotta stoneware butter dish, priced at £300, is described as a charming and functional addition to the breakfast table. Emsie Sharp, a glassblower, presents candy-colored drinking glasses made in her Dorset studio, priced at £38 each, as a modern alternative for smart dinner tables. Finally, the article highlights Matthew Raw's tiled bedside table from his 'Welcome' collection, inspired by tiled facades of train stations and buildings. These pieces, featuring handcrafted and glazed tiles, are priced at £5,180 for a sidetable with a drawer, indicating a growing presence in contemporary home design. #FurnitureDesign #HomeDecor #HandcraftedItems #SustainableDesign #CollectibleArt #InteriorDesignTrends #Craftsmanship #ArtisanalProducts #LuxuryInteriors

Parachute, a prominent bedding and decor brand known for its minimal, California-inspired, and sustainably-minded designs, has expanded its product offerings with a new living room furniture collection. This expansion follows the brand's successful ventures into bedroom furniture, which included bed frames launched last year and benches and nightstands introduced earlier in the current year. The decision to delve into living room furniture was a natural progression, driven by the positive reception of their previous furniture lines. Launched on October 5th, the new collection is available on Parachute’s website and features 15 "trendless" foundational pieces. These pieces, designed with a neutral color palette, cover essential living room furnishings such as sofas, chairs, coffee tables, side tables, and lamps. Ariel Kaye, founder and CEO of Parachute, highlighted that the brand drew inspiration from the soft lines of its existing collections and the natural landscape of California to create an effortless aesthetic for the new line. The goal was to produce timeless pieces that possess character and durability, intended to integrate seamlessly into various home styles. Sustainability was a core consideration in the development of the living room collection. Kaye emphasized that each piece is crafted to be "forever furniture," designed to transcend fleeting trends and offer longevity to customers. The manufacturing process reflects Parachute's commitment to environmental responsibility; the collection explicitly avoids the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and incorporates sustainably sourced wood. Additionally, customers have the option to choose between recycled polyester blend fabrics and natural fiber fabric options, further enhancing the collection’s eco-friendly profile. Upholstered items are made-to-order, a strategy implemented to minimize waste associated with bulk manufacturing. This debut living room collection represents an edited mix of products, but Kaye confirmed that this is just the beginning of Parachute's journey into this category. The brand plans to continuously iterate and introduce new products to its furniture collection in the coming months and years, signaling a long-term commitment to expanding its home furnishings range beyond its initial bedding and decor offerings. The brand's philosophy of creating high-quality, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing items remains at the forefront of this new venture. #ParachuteHome #LivingRoomFurniture #HomeDecor #SustainableDesign #CaliforniaInspired #InteriorDesign #FurnitureCollection #TimelessPieces

This article details the transformation of a four-bedroom home in Lely Resort, Naples, spearheaded by designer Julia Hall Liegeois of Julia Hall Designs, in collaboration with builder Joshua Brown of D. Brown Construction. The homeowners, who previously rented, purchased the house due to its meticulous upkeep and quality furnishings by the prior owner, despite the decor being outdated with a "Tommy Bahama look" in browns and tans. After living in the home for a few years, they decided to undertake a renovation, focusing on brightening the space while maintaining comfort and cohesion. The initial phase of the renovation involved significant changes in paint and fabrics. The entire home was painted white, a decision the homeowner initially hesitated about but ultimately embraced as transformative. This choice set a fresh, understated elegant tone, moving away from typical coastal design clichés. The common area floors were updated with shellstone-hued travertine, and the entryway was enhanced with matching vignettes featuring mirrors framed in faceted blue glass above rattan-wrapped console tables, chosen for their retro appeal and light-bouncing qualities. The existing furnishings, many of which had rattan or wicker detailing, were revitalized with a new blue-and-white upholstery scheme. This layering of energetic patterns in different scales introduced a modern aesthetic while ensuring the space felt balanced and avoided the coldness often associated with coastal modern designs. The main sofa in the sitting area, for instance, received a white fabric with an oversized strié-like pattern, contributing to the desired fresh ambiance. Cosmetic renovations extended to the kitchen and bathrooms. The bar cabinets, originally honey brown, were painted bright white and fitted with blackened-navy hardware, complemented by a Daltile Multitude in Modern Khaki backsplash. Kitchen cabinets were painted white and extended to the ceiling, enhancing the room's grandeur. A dark, bilevel peninsula counter was replaced with a single-layer brilliant quartzite counter, while wood-toned ceiling beams were retained to prevent the room from feeling overly modern. The guest bathroom was painted a deep navy and adorned with pebble-shaped iridescent tiles, adding textural art elements that tied the space together. The final touches involved incorporating statement lighting, wallpaper, textural art, and distinctive hardware. In the dining room, twin palm sculptures and a trio of coral-inspired discs were added. A chandelier with cascading crystal cylinders became a focal point over the breakfast nook. Orange accents in the family room provided a warm contrast to the blue and white palette, picking up tones from outdoor sculptural elements, ceiling beams, and a coffee table. Ombré Phillip Jeffries Mirage wallpaper panels, set within trim in the dining and living areas, emphasized the 12-foot ceilings and captured light, creating a cloud-like effect, particularly in the dining room where it formed a showstopping triptych. Many existing dining room pieces, such as a curved wood chandelier, rattan chairs, a sisal rug, and a planter (repainted from dark brown to bright white lacquer), were repurposed. These were updated with fresh textiles, including a striped ikat print on chair cushions and watercolor ombré stripes in the curtains, offering an updated coastal modern look. A mix of traditional and modern ginger jars served as a scaled centerpiece. The design approach highlighted that significant transformation can be achieved by reimagining existing pieces and incorporating thoughtful new details, creating a fresh, collected, and timeless aesthetic. #CoastalStyle #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #NaplesDesign #JuliaHallDesigns #HomeTours #DesignInspiration #ModernCoastal

This article from T Magazine highlights a range of cultural and lifestyle recommendations, featuring a former N.F.L. player turned furniture designer, a new art gallery in TriBeCa, a botanical-inspired wallpaper collection, an Athens restaurant showcasing contemporary Greek art, a homey Seattle hotel, and a hand-painted apparel line. Each section provides details about the featured subject, including their background, inspiration, notable works, and practical information for visitors or consumers. Michael Bennett, a former N.F.L. player, founded Studio Kër after retiring from football in 2020. His furniture designs are deeply inspired by his activism work for racial justice, his upbringing in Louisiana and Texas, and his ancestral roots in Senegal. Bennett’s inaugural exhibition, “We Gotta Get Back to the Crib,” features an 11-piece collection of sculptural furniture that reinterprets objects found in communal Black spaces. Key pieces include the Gumbo lounge chair, a sophisticated take on the monobloc chair, and the Pew couch, inspired by church benches, crafted from leather and ekki wood. The exhibition debuted at Theaster Gates’s Rebuild Foundation in Chicago and is scheduled to travel to Houston. In TriBeCa, New York, gallerist Jack Shainman opened a new 20,000-square-foot gallery called The Hall in the historic Clock Tower Building. This Beaux-Arts space, built around 1898 and formerly home to the New York Life Insurance Company, has been renovated and restored. The gallery serves as a new cultural center offering free exhibits, allowing visitors to appreciate both contemporary art and the historic Manhattan architecture, including its preserved bank vault and 29-foot-high coffered wood ceilings. The Hall plans to officially open in September with a 16-foot-tall bronze sculpture by artist Nick Cave. Currently, it features Richard Mosse’s immersive 74-minute multi-spectral video installation, “Broken Spectre,” which addresses the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. Mosse emphasizes the historical connection between the building’s past, built on wealth from enslaved people, and ongoing global issues like environmental destruction. Marian McEvoy, a former fashion and design editor, launched a new wallpaper and fabric collection with Schumacher, inspired by her botanical collages and illustrations. After nearly 30 years in Paris and Manhattan, McEvoy moved to a cottage on the Hudson River, where she creates her art. Her collaboration with Schumacher features six wallcoverings and four fabrics, including prints like Thistle Vine, Polka-Dot Jungle, and Bow-Wow-Wow, all reflecting her signature use of strong colors and lines. McEvoy has incorporated these designs into her own home, showcasing her personal approval of the collection. In Athens, entrepreneur and art collector Philippos Tsangrides opened Gallina, a restaurant designed by Objects of Common Interest. The interiors blend diverse materials such as red marble, pink leather, terrazzo, and wood, creating an unexpected aesthetic. Gallina also displays pieces from Tsangrides’s private art collection, including a silk tapestry by Jannis Varelas and a neon sign by Olga Migliaressi-Phoca. A notable design element is a sinuous white light tube by the architects. The menu, curated by chef Pavlos Kiriakis, features dishes with no specific provenance, such as chicken with miso beurre blanc and truffle, and wild mushrooms with white chocolate béarnaise. Tsangrides intends to open a wine bar nearby. Julian Hagood and Jake Santelli opened Harry’s Guest House, a two-room hotel in Seattle’s Capitol Hill, inspired by their neighbor Winnie. The Dutch Colonial home was purchased from Winnie, whose drawings and wooden writing desk are now integrated into the hotel’s design. One suite is named after Winnie, and the other after the couple’s dog, Lucy. The interiors combine vintage and contemporary furniture and textiles, featuring a 1940s hand-carved wardrobe and Zak+Fox fabrics. Guests can also enjoy in-room dining from Harry’s Fine Foods, Hagood’s adjacent restaurant. Artists Julia Dault and Hannah Whitaker launched Signs Point to Yes, a line of hand-painted apparel. Their sweatshirts and pants feature designs like metallic tulips, sherbet-hued confetti, and smiley (and sad) faces, often painted using ketchup bottles to achieve a gestural, imperfect style. The brand name, inspired by a Magic 8 Ball, conveys a sense of optimistic humor. The artists selected comfortable cotton garments as their canvases, recognizing their popularity during the pandemic and their continued appeal beyond loungewear. #SculpturalFurniture #ArtExhibition #Design #ArtGallery #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #Restaurants #Hotels #Fashion

The article explores a curated selection of online home decor brands, emphasizing the importance of finding unique pieces to create a distinct aesthetic. It highlights the perspective that home spaces are an extension of personal identity, making the process of decorating a significant endeavor. The author acknowledges that while major retailers are well-known, the true enjoyment of decorating comes from discovering lesser-known brands with strong visions and styles that offer both trendy and timeless items. Several brands are introduced, starting with Casa Zuma, praised for its earthy and organic aesthetic, offering ceramics, serving dishes, and furniture from global artisans. Fourth St. Home is noted for its sophisticated selection of home accessories and antique pieces that focus on diverse materials and textures. Saffron + Poe, a California-based brand, is featured for its commitment to sustainable and ethically handcrafted homewares, including furniture, rugs, and textiles, supporting maker communities worldwide. The Citizenry is recommended for bedding, rugs, pillows, and decorative items, known for blending modern style with traditional artisan techniques. Food52, initially a kitchen and food site, has expanded into a home retailer offering beautiful and functional products built to last. Beam Brooklyn is celebrated for its eclectic and creative range of furniture, lighting, art, and home goods, characterized by a unique fusion of mid-century, rock-and-roll, Cali-Brooklyn, vintage, and modern styles. Hay Design, a Danish brand, is recognized for its distinctive and fashionable aesthetic within a classic Scandinavian style. Slowdown Studio, founded in 2015, focuses on celebrating individuality and creativity through its functional and beautiful modern lifestyle products, encouraging appreciation for life's slower moments. Jungalow is highlighted for its vibrant, bold style and its dedication to sustainability through a partnership with Trees for the Future, an organization that helps communities establish Forest Gardens. Areaware is presented as a source for quirky yet non-kitschy items, collaborating with independent designers to offer unique and exclusive home decor. Coming Soon NY, with a background in fine art and high-end design, offers cool and authentic urban-style products. Article is noted for its commitment to providing stylish, affordable, and high-quality furniture and decor by working directly with manufacturers. Anthropologie Home is praised for its highly coveted pieces that combine practicality with a modern yet vintage flair. CB2, the more accessible counterpart to Crate & Barrel, offers a modern selection of furniture and home accessories and is committed to featuring Black businesses, artists, and designers. Target is recognized for its accessible and stylish home decor through collaborations with designers like Hilton Carter and Studio McGee. Urban Outfitters, once primarily for college students, has evolved into a significant design force with its home collection, featuring items with interesting shapes, colors, and designs. World Market is a staple for affordable, original, and handmade items from across the globe, while Hawkins New York is lauded for its thoughtful and unexpected homewares. Lastly, H&M Home and Block Shop are mentioned for their affordable yet elegant offerings and commitment to ethical production, respectively. Block Shop, in particular, invests 5% of its profits in community health camps in Jaipur, where the company was founded. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #OnlineShopping #DesignTrends #Furniture #Homewares #SustainableDesign #ArtisanCrafts #EclecticStyle

The article highlights the expansion of Meridiani, a renowned Italian furniture brand, with the opening of its new flagship store in New York's NoMad design district in October 2023. Meridiani, established in 1996, is recognized for its timeless furniture collections that blend tradition with modernity, appealing to diverse decorating styles. The brand's global presence extends to over 50 countries, with stores in major cities like Milan, Rome, Singapore, Paris, and London. The Manhattan location, conceptualized by Andrea Parisio, Meridiani's designer and art director, is a two-level showroom designed to demonstrate the brand's comprehensive residential project capabilities. The space features distinct yet interconnected living, dining, and sleeping areas, providing a cohesive experience for visitors. The store aims to showcase both recent furniture collections and iconic pieces that define Meridiani's aesthetic. Currently, the Max modular sofa is prominently featured in one of the living areas. This versatile sofa, known for its clean lines and precise angles, offers customizable configurations to fit various room sizes and seating requirements. It can incorporate side tables between cushions or at the ends, enhancing both functionality and visual appeal through textural contrasts. Alongside the Max sofa, the new Nora armchair, also designed by Parisio, is displayed. The Nora armchair exhibits a playful, curvy form and can be upholstered in various materials such as fabric or leather, with options for solid wood or fabric-covered legs. The dining area displays highlight the Gong table, another bestseller designed by Parisio. The article notes that the Gong table, available in numerous variations, exemplifies Meridiani’s design versatility and ability to create captivating combinations of colors, shapes, and materials. Both the base and top of this sculptural table can be customized using materials like glass, lacquer, marble, metal, and wood, and are offered in a wide array of hues. The store's interior design complements the furniture pieces through a layout that spans the building's depth and a consistent monochrome white-and-ivory color scheme. This palette ensures that the pieces are framed effectively and integrate seamlessly into different display environments. Andrea Parisio emphasizes the company's commitment to innovation, ensuring new collections harmonize with previous ones while consistently prioritizing high-quality fabrics and materials. This approach results in a distinctly Italian character imbued with international inspiration, solidifying Meridiani's reputation for sophisticated and comfortable Italian furniture on a global scale. #ItalianDesign #Furniture #LuxuryInteriors #HomeDecor #NewYorkDesign #Meridiani #AndreaParisio

The 'Hive' collection, developed by atelier oï for B&B Italia, explores an innovative approach to upholstery using small leather patches, termed "leaves," to construct a three-dimensional textile. This deconstruction process details the extensive trial and error involved in perfecting this complex material, which ultimately informed the design of hexagonal ottomans and complementary low tables. The initial phase of development focused on material exploration, specifically forming studies with leather patches in various colors and configurations. This involved examining both the front and back of these patch arrangements, noting how individual leather pieces connected to form a cohesive textile, even before full attachment. Following these material studies, the design team moved into conceptualizing how this unique leather textile could be applied to furniture. Early sketches focused on adapting the connected leather structures for an ottoman. This led to the creation of numerous ottoman models, varying in size, form, and leather color, to test the aesthetic and structural possibilities. A significant challenge addressed during development was how to effectively wrap the ottoman legs with the patch textile, requiring dedicated studies to perfect the technique. Further refinement involved developing methods to finish the corners and sides of the ottoman, especially given the irregular edges of the leather patches, ensuring a seamless and polished appearance. In parallel with the ottoman design, the concept evolved to include complementary furniture pieces. Initial sketches were created for a similarly shaped table to be paired with the ottomans. This integration aimed to create a cohesive collection where both the ottomans and tables shared a unified design language, inspired by the distinctive beehive-like texture of the leather. The culmination of this design process resulted in a finished product showcasing three-color ottomans paired with the metal tables. The 'Hive' collection was notably featured in an installation at the B&B Italia Store during the Milan Furniture Fair in April 2013, highlighting the successful application of this innovative textile in a contemporary furniture context. #LeatherUpholstery #3DTextiles #FurnitureDesign #AtelierOi #BBItalia #ProductDevelopment #OttomanDesign #TableDesign #MilanFurnitureFair

Petra, a new showroom founded by Monica Khemsurov, co-founder of Sight Unseen, made its debut at NYCxDESIGN, introducing a curated collection of artistic hardware. The brand aims to revitalize the popularity of sculptural hardware designs, drawing inspiration from Khemsurov's observations during her travels. Petra focuses on offering select boutique hardware pieces and exclusive, commissioned works from independent designers, emphasizing architectural detail and artistry. The inaugural collection features hardware from 27 designers and brands, providing solutions for various applications including cabinet knobs, drawer pulls, door handles, switch plates, appliance handles, curtain tiebacks, and towel bars. A notable inclusion in this debut is a new line of hardware from designer Pamela Love, which showcases hand-carved cabinet knobs in organic forms such as eyes, pomegranates, and urns. The collection also highlights historical designs through licensed reproductions from BD Barcelona, featuring knobs and handles originally crafted by Antoni Gaudí for buildings constructed between 1902 and 1910, as well as Salvador Dali’s intricate 1937 Rinoceróntico door handle. Petra distinguishes itself through its commitment to expressive hardware, both in aesthetic and conceptual terms. The brand's offerings largely consist of small-batch, handmade fixtures designed to serve as distinctive elements within interior spaces, differentiating them from mass-market options. While some pieces function as elevated basics, many are intended to be statement pieces, reflecting a fusion of art and functionality in everyday hardware. The initiative seeks to elevate the role of hardware in interior design, transforming utilitarian objects into points of artistic expression and focal points within a room. The curated selection suggests a move towards hardware that not only performs its function but also contributes significantly to the overall design narrative of a space. #NYCxDESIGN #ArtisticHardware #HomeFurnishings #InteriorDesign #MonicaKhemsurov #PamelaLove #SculpturalDesign #DesignerHardware