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EDITOR IN CHIEF
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COVETED MAGAZINE PAGE 7
SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER 2021
CONTENTS
012
NEWS & TRENDS WORLDWIDE
DESIGN CAPITALS: INTERVIEWS WITH THE MOST COVETED INTERIOR DESIGNERS 017 018 020 021 023 025 027 029 030 032 034 035 037 039 041
Alessandro Munge Alix Lawson Art Spice Studio Benjamin Johnston Design Britto Charette Emily Macki Interer Architects Katherine Pooley Little Crown Interiors Louise Liljencrantz Maria Kalina Studio Qd Vizline Studio Tania Richardson
SPECIAL GUIDE TO THE DESIGN CAPITALS 044
076
SHOWROOMS WE COVET
094 MID CENTURY SPECIAL 094 Essential Home Meets Karim Rashid 096 Essential Home Meets Masquespacio 104 PROJECTS 105 Opulent Modern Classic Villa In Riyadh By K.a. Studio With Covet House 109 A Cape Town Wonderland
112 A Romantic Vibe With Eclectic Accents By Hilary White Interior Design 115 An Art Deco Penthouse In Texas 117 Arc Le Salon 119 Contemporary Country House By Callender Howorth 121 Hollywood Glamour Style Restaurant By Masquespacio 125 Luxury Penthouse In New York City By Arthur Dunman For Johnson Studio 127 Millionaire’s Modern Apartment In Nyc By Covet Studio 131 The Éternel Parisian Apartment By Home’society Studio 134
BOOKS WE COVET
140 141 142 144 146
Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi Mardan Palace, Turkey Golden Square Residences, London Santa Bárbara Eco-Beach Resort
HOTELS WE COVET
150 WORLD’S FINEST RESTAURANTS 151 De Librije, Zwolle, The Netherlands 153 Fasano, Punta Del Este, Uruguay 155 Folie, London, Uk 158 COVETED NEW TALENTS Karim Abdul Muttalib From K.A. Interior Design 160
STYLE ICONS
idcoveted00020
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Dear readers, These past two years have been some challenging years. A lot has changed, both in the world and within our lives, but change does not necessarily mean a bad thing. Evolution, transformation, we’ve overcome some unprecedented challenges in our lives. We’ve grown, and adapted, and with it, new opportunities arose. With this in mind, I take the opportunity to present my first edition of the magazine as Editor in Chief for CovetED, a new professional adventure, but a very personal and very close to my heart new challenge. The issue will explore more than trends, it will explore the future and the ever-changing world of tendencies, and the Stylish Trends we covet. And what about trendsetters and trailblazers around the world? CovetED has got you covered as well, with exclusive interviews with the best interior designers from every design capital in the world. By speaking of capitals, this issue could not be complete without the Special Guide to the Design Capitals where we give you the best tips to enjoy the design metropolises, with a selection of the best landmarks, events, experiences, restaurants, and hotels in each city. Also, for every design aficionado, this edition will provide an extensive selection of showrooms city by city, for you to elevate your trip to the true design paramount. Diving not only in the deep waters of the interior design ocean, but swimming across the trendiest details in the fashion industry, and giving you an insight with a curated selection of places, inspirations, projects, and books for you to get lost in.
I hope you enjoy this edition as much as we loved creating it, and for a little extra inspiration, don’t forget to visit our website: www.covetedition.com and for your daily dose of CovetED designs follow us on Instagram @covetedmagazine
EDITOR IN CHIEF
ILLULIAN: NEW ARRIVALS with Boca do Lobo’s exquisite new Pieces Time honoured masterpiece, the faceted Diamond sideboard is born as a precious emerald jewel with cutting-edge lines to challenge the boundaries of form. Influenced by deconstructivism movement of postmodern architecture, the contemporary storage sideboard is conceived from wood and covered by silver leaf finished with a distinct translucent shade of emerald and high gloss varnish on top. The body is exquisitely supported by a sharp golden base that folds an iconic design. A real expression of exclusivity and high collectible design
OPENING HOURS: Tuesday to Saturday 10AM 1PM / 2:30PM - 7Pm Monday - 3PM - 7PM
ADDRESS : Via Alessandro Manzoni, 41, 20121 Milano - Italia
PHONE : +39 02 657 5418
PIXEL SIDEBOARD Iconic and unparalleled, the Pixel Sideboard presents a ground-breaking work of pioneering design. This piece carries the dedication and art of those who built it, a variety of traditional production techniques to craft an avant-garde furniture piece that is authentic, joyful and a perfect match for the digital age. Its playful character is captured in shape and colour palette, challenging design and finest craftsmanship. This entire sideboard plays with perception and combines exceptional materials with multicolored compositions to give the sideboard a unique, striking design: handmade leaf gilding triangles, 10 different types of wood leafs from palisander to African walnut veneer, and lacquering.
DIAMOND EMERALD SIDEBOARD With the style of a precious jewel, the new Diamond sideboard, colored in green emerald, will make a splash in interior design since it is one of the hottest color trends for 2013. Like the amethyst Diamond, the new sideboard also features three highly sculptured doors leading to a gold leaf interior with shelving and two drawers. The exterior of this fanciful piece is now presented in silver leaf finished with a luxurious shade of translucent green emerald with high gloss varnish. And instead of the whimsical lion’s head feet, the new Diamond presents a base made from mahogany lined with bronze mirror.
FORTUNA PATINA DINING TABLE The Fortuna Dining Table is a shimmering statement piece that unites Boca do Lobo one of a kind design aesthetic and passion for craftsmanship. Representing the essence of empowerment, sophistication, mystics, and enticement, the Fortuna features a one of a kind design, with a unique table surface texture and incredible finish.
NON-FUNGIBLE TOKEN Art, Design, and the certified uniqueness on the digital world Art and Design have been struggling over the years to claim and
How? With NFT, we will explain what it is, and how it works.
protect its owners’ intellectual property. NFT can be the best and
NFT is the acronym for Non-Fungible Token, which is nothing more
profitable solution for all.
than a digital identity card of artists’ and designers’ pieces. It is a
Non-fungible token has been revolutionizing the world of Design by
kind of digital certificate established by blockchain that confers the
protecting designers’ and artists’ works. As all of us know, there are
originality and uniqueness of the digital products you are buying.
numerous copies of original and creative content on the internet,
It makes digital items unique to the world, generating scarcity
but are we buying it from its real owner?
around it and opening space for a market to be installed, involving
Now there is a way to prove that those amazing digital goods we are
collectors and investors interested in investing real money in the
buying are from their owners and the profits go straight to them.
acquisition of digital works and assets.
Can all digital goods have an NFT? The answer is no. A non-fungible good is something that cannot be exchanged. Bitcoins are a very practical example of that! You can change a bunch of bitcoins for other bitcoins. When art and design meet NFT Over the last decade, the number of artists and designers using social media, and online platforms to show and sell their work has been growing exponentially. So, how can they ensure to their clients that what they are buying is unique and almost exclusive? Through NFT! Hardware and software are the most powerful tools because it allows them to both create and distribute artwork through the internet, and now, they have a reliable and real way to truly own and collect it. The American artist Beeple has seen his piece “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” becoming the most expensive digital image ever sold, fetching over $69 million at an auction. Since technology is taking over everything, renowned designers and artists are investing even more into the digital world. Gucci, for example, has seen its creative director creating a pair of neon-colored sneakers that can only be worn – guess where – in digital environments. Despite being a digital item, people can try on sneakers through augmented reality and take photos to spread all over social media. Argentinian designer Andrés Reisinger sold a digital collection called “The Shipping” which is composed of 10 pieces of virtual furniture in an online auction for about $70.000. Reisinger is an amazing 3D artist, and we can find his rendering of surreal furniture pieces on his Instagram account. Maybe you are asking yourself what to do with these digital items. Well, if you like video games, some of these design pieces can be used in open worlds such as Minecraft. NFT has been around for a quite long time. One of its first booms was in 2017 with cryptokitties, one of the world’s first blockchain games operating on Ethereum’s underlying blockchain network. Today, some of these virtual kittens are for sale and can reach $1 million each.
COVETED MAGAZINE PAGE 13 NEWS & TRENDS
TREND REPORT Japandi simplicity, Japandi is the trend that brings together the best of both
owner’s personality must be strongly present, but it also must follow the
worlds. An interior design that combines simplicity, with clean lines
trends, to be contemporary, modern and adapt to the present’s lifestyle.
and a subdued colour palette, the word “Japandi” has been used to
With new season fashion trends, new home trends are emerging. That’s
describe the fusion of both styles.
the impute to home’s update, using what already exists, adapting it
Less is more, the motto. Some key elements make up this new trend,
according to the trends and adding some new pieces. Although 2020 was
cosiness, timeless materials like natural woods, the colours where
a challenging year, it brought more time to be at home, enjoying it and
monochromatic tones reign and all hands on craftsmanship as the
valuing it. Therefore, more time and money are and will be invested in
main technique.
making the most of each space.
This selection of products better illustrates what Japandi is all about:
Contemporary Bedroom Caffe Latte
Sugar Modular Sofa Caffe Latte Cult Furniture, Roupell Set Of 3 Ceramic Vases White Dark Grey
Huxford Grove Byron Sheepskin Beanbag Ash
Nedgis, Suspension Formakami Jh3 Blanc Noir
A mash-up of elegant Japanese minimalism and rustic Scandinavian
same origins. When it comes to home decor and interior design, the
Caffe Latte, Contemporary Modern Penthouse in Monaco
Interior design, as fashion always evolving, is also coming back to the
Japandi is here to stay. It is too harmonious and timeless to be a mere passing
very close to each other when it comes to their sense of interior design and
fad. Clearly, Scandinavia and Japan are, despite their cultural differences,
aesthetics. This fusion of styles shows how it can work perfectly.
COVETED MAGAZINE PAGE 15 COVETED NEW TALENTS
DESIGN CAPITALS
INTERVIEWS WITH THE MOST COVETED INTERIOR DESIGNERS Some design trends come, some design trends go – that’s how the industry of interiors keeps on evolving and reinventing itself. As our lives become more focused on our homes, what’s emerging in the present year is a clear focus on creating a unique and totally liveable environment, while having an aesthetic appeal that tells something about who you are. These designers represent exactly that, the point of view, the perspective of the current and the future of design. CovetED interviewed interior designers from some of the most important capitals of the sector, to get an insightful glimpse of what these trendsetters and visionaries think of the current design world, but also a personal understanding of their origins, work and inspirations.
ALESSANDRO MUNGE Toronto Born into a world of design, Alessandro Munge quickly transcended his teenage sketches to become one of North America’s most sought-after designers. Through his inquisitive nature and fundamental drive to provoke profound emotion, Alessandro has reshaped the preconceived notions of interior design
for over 20 years. “As a first-generation immigrant, I came from very humble beginnings and grew up fast. I never had much to lose, and that made me fearless. Creators need a voice. They have to be curious and brave; it takes courage to question the norm and bring forth uniqueness.” – he stated.
With an innovative point of view earning him over 150 international design awards, including Contract Magazine’s Designer of the Year Award and Interior Design’s Hospitality Design Leader, Alessandro has inspired countless noteworthy projects worldwide, such as The William Vale in Brooklyn and Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver. Strengthening his ties to a host of top-tier hospitality brands and clients, Alessandro continues to establish himself as a multidisciplinary visionary through design architecture, landscaping and product design. His boundless passion for art, culture and travel, inspires his international team of over sixty to sculpt spaces into distinctive, signature experiences that reflect the essence and vibrancy of their inhabitants. “Our responsibility is to give unique design solutions that are honest and relevant. No formula that will force us to do the same thing over and over because, in my world, I call that insanity.” – said, Alessandro. Asked about what he loves the most about his work, Alessandro Munge made it very clear. “Although my love and passion have been residential and hospitality maybe the better answer is I’ve always been in love with watching human beings within spaces… The colours of walls so to speak never mattered to me as much as the people within the spaces and how they emotionally connect with the environment and each other. Designers have an opportunity and somewhat a responsibility to drive innovation and create uniqueness.
I never replicate my projects and starting every project as a blank canvas constantly keeps me engaged and motivated. I thrive in the unknown, in the never-seen-before and what feels uncomfortable to most is exciting to me. That’s why I love when a client comes to us at the earliest stage of a project. We’re able to influence programming, architecture, landscaping, and interior to create a truly holistic experience that engages and connects human beings. We’re then able to deliver a truly unique and powerful project.” – said Munge. For Alessandro Munge, the covid-19 crisis was one of the most challenging times in his career. “The latest global health and economic crisis was a challenge like no other that forced us to completely reimagine our workflow and quickly adapt so we could keep moving forward and help our clients around the world. While this physically split our teams, it brought us closer ideologically and allowed us to integrate innovative ways to communicate design. With all my international travels cancelled, I could also spend a lot more time mentoring our studio. As we move forward into a new norm, this challenge reminds us to always stay flexible to an ever-changing world and remain deeply connected as a team.” – he explained. As long as the interview was progressing, we got more closer to the designer. And at this point we wanted to know a bit more about his achievements
COVETED MAGAZINE PAGE 17 DESIGN CAPITALS
in life if he made it all already and what are his main dreams still. “I’ve been blessed with so many opportunities to express my creativity, travelled the world and met so many incredible people, yet I feel like I’ve only just started. There’s a beautiful open road ahead of me I look forward to exploring further. While my business is in hospitality and residential, I still am very curious about other sectors that may come our way. Ultimately, if I’m interested or curious about the opportunities knocking on our door, I’ll decide then and might go for it.” – said the designer. “For me, success isn’t about fame or money; it is the freedom to do exactly what you want and bring positivity to the world. Professionally, I am laserfocused on control. I often have a clear vision of the emotions I want to evoke and the human experience I want to be developed. I’ve gradually increased our studio’s range of services, including design architecture, landscaping, interior and product design, to control that experience and create a more holistic journey. Being able to express my creativity from all those perspectives is so rewarding and exciting.” – continued Alessandro.
“There’s nothing more fulfilling than witnessing people enjoy our spaces and learning about the lives we touch through design. Whether improving people’s day-today in thoughtful residential developments or creating memorable entertaining hospitality experiences, we touch lives through design and support businesses and communities worldwide. I’m so grateful for all of the international design awards we’ve won and the recognition from our peers, but the customer reviews are often what touches me the most. I love seeing beautiful wedding pictures in our venues, comments on restaurants pages. I also love knowing that our clients’ businesses are thriving because it matters. See I have no interest in award-winning projects that fail because they don’t make business sense. I am interested in producing work that is successful. We design with the purpose to help lift communities around the world, creating jobs and opportunities for many.” Alessandro Munge Alessandro Munge explained in a very humble way how he communicates with his audience in order to advertise his work. “We are very fortunate to have our work published worldwide in magazines, newspapers, blogs, and social media. But more than anything, the audience connects with our spaces in person. We have created habitat and hospitality experiences for hundreds of thousands. It is great to see what is being shared by the community on social media as they interact with our work.” – said the designer. Munge is working on some new projects. So we asked what really inspires him to prosecute them. “Many fabulous projects are opening worldwide; each follows a one-of-a-kind design narrative influenced by the local context and more. Some projects have been inspired by real-life personalities or fictional characters, by fashion garments and
intricate artworks. Our Park Hyatt in Toronto, for example, is infused
their needs. It’s about creating more than a building – an environment and
with Canadian sensibilities evoking our beautiful seasons and landscapes;
a home that thoughtfully enhance their lifestyle.”
in contrast, our Shangri-La in Nanning is inspired by the rich artistry and
At the moment, the designer is working on other collaborations, but
craftsmanship of the local Zhuang people. There really is no limit to what
it is all in the secret of the Gods! “There are many exciting creative
can inspire us.” – he answered.
and business collaborations in the works; unfortunately, none can be
In order to understand better the perspective of Alessandro about design
disclosed for now. Stay tuned!” – he said. And we will, for sure!
nowadays and all the new trends coming from this hard period, the answer
When asked about craftsmanship and who he thinks is leading the way,
was very simple: “There are so many trends popping like champagne
Alessandro Munge answered, “We’ve created an entire department in our
bubbles. I try to stay away from that distraction and focus on artistry
studio specialised in FF&E and the beautiful layers that bring a space to
and high-quality craftsmanship. I gravitate towards timeless designs that
life. They research and connect with vendors all around the world to
evoke authentic deeply rooted emotions beyond fading trends because it’s
execute the design vision. Because authenticity matters to us, we love
the only way to connect meaningfully with the audience.”.
working with local artisans to produce feature items or unique signature
is relationship with his clients is very clear and focused in maintain a
finishes. Rather than highlighting one supplier, we end up collaborating
trusty character. Besides this, Alessandro likes the type of clients who take
with a myriad of talented craftspeople contributing to the various local
risks and love unique design. “We always go through a two-way interview
economies.”. Keeping in mind this answer, we thought that the last
process to understand whether a client and our studio will be a good fit.
question should be about the future and specifically about what changes
Because our designs are so unique, and we never repeat ourselves, we tend
Alessandro would like to see in the future of the design. “Technology and
to associate ourselves with brave, fearless clients and developers that
computing are evolving very fast, potentially faster than most humans
want to push the boundaries. We look for those synergies and clients who
can comprehend. And so, I believe design must be a connecting point, a
genuinely desire to bring forth landmark developments that positively
dialogue and a bridge between yesterday and tomorrow. A thoughtful
impact cities and local communities. Our clientele is exceptionally
and compelling user experience, whichever the sector, is the goal and best
sophisticated and well-travelled when it comes to our private residences,
possible outcome. It’s about making human adaptation and evolution as
which I only take on very few because of how involved I get. They are
smooth as possible, about improving living conditions globally so life can
looking for unique architecture and interior design perfectly tailored to
be as enjoyable as can be.” – he finalised.
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