ARCHITECTURE INTERIOR DESIGN FURNITURE LIFESTYLE Marbella · london · Milan JANUARY-APRIL 2019
A NEW KIND OF CORTIJO FEATHR WEIGHT CHAMPIONS MID-CENTURY STYLE POWER OF THE POSITIVE MADE IN ITALY SPIRIT OF FLORENCE
BEAUTIFULLY DETAILED CONTEMPORARY HOMES udesign.es
Open: Monday – Friday 10 am – 7 pm & Saturday 10 am – 2 pm Polígono Industrial San Pedro de Alcántara, C/Países Bajos 6, San Pedro, Marbella Tel: (+34) 952 794 117 udesign.es
Great design, like great wine, travels well, and in this issue we bring it to you from all around Europe and as far away as those beautiful islands in the Pacific. Our magazine is fast becoming global. We bring you wacky wallpaper from Finland, delightful light from northern Portugal, the essence of Italian design in Florence, and tradition meeting innovation in Venice. We visit a sensational Mediterranean cortijo, feel the power of positive architecture in Marbella, and then head over to Honolulu to see what’s been described as “the world’s most instagrammable hotel”. Jason Harris CEO & Creative Director UDesign
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” (Marcel Proust)
Cover: Jungle of Detail wallpaper by FEATHR
Editor: Cheryl Gatward ud@udesign.es Sub Editor: Vivion O’Kelly Design, Layout & Production: Next Idea S.L. info@nimarbella.com
CONTENTS SPECIAL FEATURES 12
FEATHR WEIGHT CHAMPS
Contributing Writers: Giles Brown, Zac Colchester, Anastasia Sukhanova, Fiona Flores Watson, Sophie Ann Gatward-Wicks
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A NEW KIND OF CORTIJO
Architects & Designers: Anja Maria Catharina Dekkers, Ignacio Garrido González, Milda Kazlauskaite, Margarita Mariscal Burgos, Sarah Muller, Diana Robezniece, Carlota RodriguezZúñiga Cofiño, Patricia Sánchez Martínez
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LIGHTING MID-CENTURY STYLE
ARCHITECTURE 76
POWER OF THE POSITIVE
3D Virtual Artists: Dmytro Dubchak, David Jesús Espada Ruíz, Diego Camacho Sánchez, Pablo Aranda Varo
INTERIOR DESIGN
Photography: UDesign, SPCA Visual Marbella, Lorenzo Cattelan, Didier Delmas, Adam Macchia
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Advertising: Diana Robezniece diana@udesign.es
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SPIRIT OF FLORENCE
FURNITURE
Administration: Patricia Jiménez Martínez patricia@udesign.es
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Published by: UDesign Polígono Industrial San Pedro de Alcántara, C/ Países Bajos, 6, 29670 Marbella, Málaga, Spain
LIFESTYLE
Tel: (+34) 952 794 117 info@udesign.es udesign.es Printed by: Jiménez Godoy jimenezgodoy.com Deposito Legal: MA-1335-2017
136 DESIGNER ESCAPES 148 DESIGN TRENDS UD is published three times per year in January, May and September.
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D E S I G N P O R T R A I T.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Anti-apathy, open source and optimism: these are the words used by FEATHR founders Tom and Anne Puukko and Oli Green to describe their ground-breaking interiors company. Giles Brown chats with Tom about wallpaper as the Next Big Thing, about why the Finns have their lives sorted out and about ditching fear by taking risks...
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FEATHR WEIGHT CHAMPIONS
How did FEATHR come into existence? All three of us who started FEATHR worked in advertising, and we could no longer face writing ads to sell chocolate cereal to children. We had a few ideas knocking around to do something new, mostly in the design world, but the concept for FEATHR bubbled up during a shopping trip for wallpaper for our home. Wherever we went (online or off) we saw the same designs, the same brands, the same styles – one sales person even went through a whole wallpaper book saying repeatedly, “oh, don’t get that, everyone’s got it.” We left that store thinking: surely there must be a company that brings together independent creative talent and interiors? We found out there wasn’t, and FEATHR was born. It’s been quite a road from that light bulb moment though. At the start we had nothing more than the idea of ‘more art, less decoration’, and that was our tool for convincing artists to work with us. We’re also outsiders to the interior design world, so we’ve had to build connections from scratch. But that’s also allowed us to ditch some of the old rules and find new and better ways to do things. Why do you think that designer wallpaper has become the Next Big Thing? People have become bored with the ‘white box minimalism’ that dominated interior design for so long. There’s a real desire for brighter colours, bolder patterns, textures, maximalism – and just having a bit of fun with your interiors. Designer wallpaper has been a big part of that – it’s a simple way to transform a room and make a big statement. You moved to Fiskars in Finland, an artistic community in the countryside. Yet we are always being told that cities are the place to be if you want to be “edgy” and “happening”. I assume you have to travel a lot? To steal a quote from the badly stuffed pillow that is Boris Johnson – we’re pro having our cake and 14
SPECIAL FEATURE
“People have become bored with white box minimalism”
GLOWING SHARDS GREY by Lee Herring The wallpaper on this double spread, and that on the previous page, displays Lee’s trademark mixing of media, with spray paints, markers and acrylic paints. The result is a stunningly modern meeting of florals with graffiti styling: a true centrepiece wallpaper mural.
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ELEVATION SAGE by Elo Photographer, instagram star and founder of Eloisa (the TV branding company), Elo creates geometric artworks using woodcut blocks. Her work recalls modernist architecture and the playful aesthetic of the Memphis Group. movement.
eating it. Fiskars gives us the best of both worlds. It might be in the countryside, but as it’s a hub for artists and creative people in general, we find plenty of “edgy” and “happening” comes to us. On top of that, the creative world, just like the rest of the world, is being decentralised by digital – if you wanted to find the hot new stuff twenty years ago, a city was the only place to be. The Internet has broken that hegemony, and now you can live and work and be culturally connected in a small village, or a beach, or wherever you want. Of course, travel is a part of what we do for work and pleasure, and there’s always a gallery or a gig you want to get to. But it’s no longer the binary choice it once was. Did you imagine that FEATHR would be so successful so quickly? That wasn’t really a measure we had in our heads when we started. Our hope was to create some beautiful work in collaboration with artists we admired, and we didn’t mind if it had a following large or small, as long as it had a following that loved what we were doing. Success is such an illusory goal that I much prefer to focus on being in the moment, creating something I’m proud of – and hopefully good stuff, new friends and food on the table follows from there. You’ve described your designs as anti-apathy. What do you mean by this? Apathy is the lazy sibling of fear. We believe in ditching fear and just doing, try things out, experiment, take risks, get it right, get it wrong, shock yourself, surprise others, learn and do it all again. That’s an attitude I have for life and for our work. Wallpaper is a canvas where we can be bold and encourage others to do the same with their homes.
SPECIAL FEATURE
OH LA LA WALLPAPER by Kiki Slaughter This distressed shabby chic wallpaper won “Surface of the Year” (2017) and was the runner-up in “Wallpaper of the Year” (2016) in Homes & Garden Magazine
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FEATHR WEIGHT CHAMPIONS
FINLAND TOILE WALLPAPER Mixing traditional toile de jouy styling with playful, modern Nordic illustrations, this wallpaper celebrates ten traits that have helped make Finland one of the most progressive and happiest countries in the world, according to the UN’s 2018 World Happiness Report. To see what these ten traits are, visit: bit.ly/UD-Finland
You must be delighted to have picked up a couple of awards for your work… Totally, although it’s the artists who created the work who are really getting the award. It’s their creative energy and brilliance that people are reacting to. The FEATHR team are more like the DJ who remixes the work with a particular crowd in mind. What was the idea behind the Finland Toile wallpaper? We wanted to troll Trump via the medium of wallpaper. That’s probably a world first – I hope so anyway. Finland is the most awesome country. It’s pretty much worked out most of the solutions to the current ills of the world, but the Finns are often too humble to shout about it. So we thought that with the world’s media focused on Helsinki, what better way to talk up Finland? The juxtaposition of the traditional toile de jouy style with modern topics like gender equality, plus the added dash of Trumpian topicality, has proven a potent mixture: we’ve had worldwide interest in the Finland Toile wallpaper. You sent both Putin and Trump the Finland Toile. Did you hear anything back? Not directly from them, though either is welcome to stop by our showroom to pick up matching cushions anytime they like. We did have the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Finland get in touch. They’re planning to hang the Finland Toile wallpaper in their offices.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Zephyr Wall Mural A calm forest scene, originally painted with watercolours, that captures trees shedding their leaves on a misty autumn day.
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FEATHR WEIGHT CHAMPIONS
“More awesome artist collaborations is what we’re really focusing on” What’s the future for FEATHR? More awesome artist collaborations is what we’re really focusing on. We’ve got some excellent ones lined up and each collaboration always begets new ones. As well as creating beautiful pieces to go into people’s homes, we’re also working on some digital innovation to help people select and buy wallpaper more easily than ever. Then, finally, we’ll be expanding our product line to bring our artists’ work into homes in new ways. Basically, world domination! According to your website, you are working on a novel. Does it feature a brave and daring wallpaper maverick? Nice idea – I might steal that! About three years back, I was working part time on writing and part time on getting FEATHR going. One morning, Anne (my wife and other FEATHR founder said something along the lines of: “FEATHR’s getting really busy, can you work only on that for now?” “Okay,” I replied, “but just for a couple of months.” That was the last day I worked on my novel. FEATHR has taken up all of our time since then, but it’s no problem, I much prefer the mix of creativity and sociability that FEATHR gives me. feathr.com
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SPECIAL FEATURE
NEON BUNTING SOHO PINK by Lee Herring A playful modern take on the British tradition of hanging bunting at summer parties. Lee’s use of spray paints is maximised here, with the neon graffiti bunting popping out from a pastel background.
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TOUR DU MONDE
DEDON COLLECTION BREA Design by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby www.dedon.de
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The classic design concept revisited 27
LUXURY REDEFINED
Anastasia Sukhanova discovers how UDesign have brought together the old and new to create this contemporary cortijo. his classic but contemporary Mediterranean home is filled with the flavours of Andalucia: subtle hints of an ancient Moorish architectural heritage and all the style and elegance of the best of 21st century luxury living in Southern Spain. It is, in essence, a re-design of a classic Andalusian cortijo, first designed by the Romans as up-market farmhouses for family living, with inner courtyards, gardens and flowing water to keep the temperatures down. UDesign’s approach was not to recreate this ageless design, but to incorporate its most beneficial features into a luxurious contemporary home. All the bedrooms, lounge and kitchen lead onto the courtyard, allowing the sound of running water and the beautiful scents of the citrus trees to permeate the spaces within. But no hint of rough farm living here, where technology also reigns: the touch of a button hides the glass doors in the walls, allowing for better air circulation throughout the long summer months.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
The inner courtyard, the sound of water, the air flowing naturally through the open terraces and seating areas: the Moors improved on the Roman version and UDesign have improved on that in this magnificent modern-day cortijo.
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A NEW KIND OF CORTIJO
The view over the pool towards the courtyard is simply beautiful. With slender cypress trees at the far end, white travertine marble and magnificent Moorish doorways on each side, this is indeed an outdoor living area reaching into the heart of the house itself, all cooled by clever design and the sound of flowing water.
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The Moors introduced flood irrigation to Spain for agricultural purposes, and also used water channels and fountains to cool their cortijos, making full use of the soothing effect of the sound of flowing water. They designed their houses around an inner courtyard, as did the Romans, providing privacy for the occupants in a beautiful garden setting and allowing air to flow through the entire building. UDesign did the same here, balancing the formality of the classic architecture and garden layout with the most contemporary furniture design and lighting. The result is the best of both worlds. Pool, patio, trees, plants and fountain area all combine to create the most magical of effects, where it could be said, literally, that the living is easy This secluded patio is located to one side of the main entrance, beautifully designed to reflect a Moorish past, its simplicity both complemented by and contrasted with minimalist contemporary furniture by Driade.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
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The sound of the water brings a lovely dynamic to the serene setting. The floating stone seating invites you to stop, sit and take it all in.
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A NEW KIND OF CORTIJO
This view here recalls the formal beauty of the Alhambra Palace gardens, where symmetry creates an understated masterpiece of patio architecture.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
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The Formal Lounge In this room, the cathedral-like doubleheight ceilings give the impression of being in a spectacular private gallery. The purple velvet Arketipo sofas are paired with quirky carpets by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola, that would be as good on the walls as they are on the floor. Cleverly placed glass shelves separate the hallway from the lounge without obstructing the view from one space to another, and also providing a setting for special handpicked accessories. Michelangelo’s David hangs on the wall, its monochrome tones not affecting the subtle colours in the room. The inconspicuous, but daring, floral mural brings everything together, creating context for the rest of the composition. Tom Dixon’s high wingback chairs invite you to sit in front of a real fire for cognac and a Cuban cigar. The majestic Flos chandelier overhead might be voluminous but it doesn’t dominate the space. Columns are often necessarily placed in uncomfortable positions, but here, creating the effect of an extending horizon, they become an aesthetic architectural element. This contemporary feel was achieved by using vibrant colours against the light background. Stone floors and stucco walls contrast the textures and colours of the sofas, the art and the accessories. The furniture, rather than the architecture, is the attention-seeker in this house, subtly complementing the bigger elements.
The Formal Lounge Contrast is king in this room, where the floral mural and brightly coloured furniture have been carefully selected to stand out from the black and white carpet and light walls.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
The twin statues of Atlas, mythological heroes supporting the heavens, continue to remind us of where this architectural concept was born.
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The Formal Lounge A sculptural table by Boca do Lobo, with a base inspired by a peeled orange skin, catches the eye immediately on entering the formal lounge.
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A NEW KIND OF CORTIJO
These quirky carpets by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola would be as good on the walls as they are on the floor.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
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The courtyard and fountain is situated directly in front of the formal lounge, and the pool and the sea beyond can be seen through the six-metre pivot windows.
The pool and the sea beyond can be seen through the six-metre pivot windows The Family Living Room The family living room and kitchen are, in effect, extensions of each other, allowing for easy movement from one to the other. Family members and their guests would normally spend most of their time here, and UDesign have taken that into account in ensuring its user-friendliness. Different activities can take place in the same general area, allowing for togetherness as a fluid concept. The tones are warmer than in the formal lounge, and a set of white Minotti sofas defines the basic function of this room. The dark wood coffee table was custommade by UDesign, with a pouf of equal height beside it for legs-up relaxation while using the table. A single tree is silhouetted between the marble columns, while the Portrait of a Young Girl, by Petrus Christus, watches over the comings and goings in this room with a rather disdainful lack of interest, just as David does in the formal lounge.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
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A NEW KIND OF CORTIJO
Family Lounge. The asymmetrical ceiling design is reflected in the carpeting, and nothing (even the sofa backs are low) stands in the way of the magnificent views through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Family Living Room This room is bright and comfortable, and the kitchen behind, with its dark panelling, forms an integral part of the aesthetics of the entire space.
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The pistachio Brabbu chairs lend just the right tonal difference, and the lights by Creative, look good even when switched off.
The Kitchen and Kitchen Terrace The custom-made kitchen, the owner’s favourite space in the house, was designed to combine the comfort of the lounge area with the traditional functionality of the kitchen. With its own terrace on one side and cortijo on the other, one can open the window and pluck an orange right off the tree for breakfast. The colours of the kitchen are toned down compared to the vibrant formal lounge, yet one area complements the other.
SPECIAL FEATURE
With a stunning sea view and its own terrace, this kitchen is the perfect combination of beautiful interior design and functionality.
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A NEW KIND OF CORTIJO
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Kitchen and kitchen terrace. Inside and outside spaces become one here, separated by moveable glass walls.
Breakfast on this terrace is a delicious choice between the open air when the weather is right and almost the same when not. 55
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The design of this contemporary home was inspired by the classic cortijo although it has many other flavours as well The design of the master bedroom reflects the pattern of the formal lounge. The off-white velvet bed and headboard are set against a dark floral mural, creating a calm, yet vibrant atmosphere. The white Capitone bed, the Flos lights and the custom-made bedside tables complete this sumptuous master suite. Luxurious living is often defined by vast spaces, clear surfaces and big windows. This home has all of that but adds something even more special – the elements of water and earth from the cortijo, creating the perfect balance between the natural and the man-made, the traditional and the contemporary. Just as the Moors and the Romans before them would have done in designing this exceptional cortijo. udesign.es
SPECIAL FEATURE
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A stunning and stylish range of soul and jazz inspired lamps brings a cool mid-century vibe into your home. Giles Brown finds out about the inspiration behind the Heritage Collection from Delightfull.
MID-CENTURY STYLE
and all that Jazz 62
LIGHTING
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f you’re searching for that mid-century style, look no further than the Heritage Collection from the contemporary lighting company Delightfull that draws on a metropolitan Mad Men vibe. Mix a Martini, don a sharply tailored suit and listen to some vintage vinyl next to a Hepburn lookalike, and there you have it. “That’s exactly what we’re aiming for,” smiles Cláudio Vasconcelos, CEO at Delightfull. “Listening to New York, New York with a cocktail in hand and a Sinatra floor lamp setting the mood is one of the most charming – and stylish – ways of spending the evening.” Great music and top style have always loved each other. The jazz pioneers and soul icons of the 40s, 50s and 60s had effortless style, and the mere mention of names like Sinatra, Simone and Coltrane conjures up images of sharp suits, designer dresses, Manhattan apartments and Big City nights in chic clubs.
WHAT IS MIDCENTURY STYLE? Midcentury design is one trend that shows no sign of going away. There is plenty of disagreement about when the period started, but it roughly lasted from the mid-1930s to mid-1970s. It gave us sleek lines, organic curves, a love of contrasting materials, and designers that we still idolize today.
“Mix a Martini, put on a sharply tailored suit and listen to some vintage vinyl next to a Hepburn lookalike” The Heritage Collection recaptures this mood with a selection of high quality lighting designs that feature a classic twist of mid-century style.
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LIGHTING
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COLTRANE SUSPENSION & TABLE LAMP John Coltrane was one of the most cerebral composers and saxophonists of the midcentury jazz renaissance. Along with Charlie Parker and Miles Davis, Coltrane pushed the parameters of modern jazz with superb albums including Blue Train, Giant Steps and My Favorite Things, and looked effortlessly stylish while doing so…
Vasconcelos explains the concept behind the range: “we wanted to create unique lamps, giving them a fresh taste of music with a contemporary and unique reinterpretation. Revisiting the golden years of the 40s to the 70s, each piece is a tribute to the great musicians of the era. We want to respect their unique work by giving each lighting piece modernera techniques and details with mid-century style, creating fresh classics”. They chose musicians as the inspiration for Heritage, rather than film stars or artists, for a specific reason.
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“One positive thought produces millions of positive vibrations.” John Coltrane (1926-1967)
LIGHTING
COLTRANE SUSPENSION With a minimalist and almost industrial feel to it, this is an uber stylish steel light.
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“We thought musicians have so much that we can take and transform into something special, from their time to the modern-era. We’ve chosen this because it’s different, it’s bold and creative, and that’s who we are and what Delightfull aims for.” “All the chosen artists are an inspiration themselves. The way their music, their personality and their lives inspired millions is what we aim to inspire with our lights.” A bit of a stretch perhaps, but why not?
BOTTI PENDANT SUSPENSION & TABLE LAMP American trumpet player Chris Botti is the world’s biggest selling jazz instrumentalist. A Grammy Award winner for his album Impressions, Botti has worked with Sting, Paul Simon, Andrea Bocelli and Joni Mitchel, amongst others, with continuous tours and recordings.
“It’s a compliment when someone tells me my music put them in a place where they were almost in tears.”
BOTTI TABLE LAMP
Chris Botti
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BOTTI PENDANT SUSPENSION With 15 trumpet shapes that stretch out from the centre, creating a perfect sphere, this handsome gold-plated brass light is a perfect tribute to Chris Botti.
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MID-CENTURY STYLE
THE HENDRIX WALL LIGHT brings a smooth lighting effect to a room. It’s handmade in brass with a gold-plated finish.
When it came to creating a background concept for the range, they didn’t have to look far for someone to take on the project. One of the creators and designers of the Heritage Collection is a musician, so he was given the challenge, which must have been a dream commission! The team at Delightfull did much more than just sit around and listen to music as their inspiration for the Heritage range. They delved deeply into the lives of their subjects and discovered how certain aspects could be adapted into a lighting piece. For example, Amy Family was inspired by Amy’s hair and golden rings, while the Botti pieces took their inspiration from his trumpet. All the lighting pieces themselves are handmade by the company’s skilled artisans in Portugal. Visit the Delightfull website for more great musical inspiration from their Heritage Collection. Get your mid-centruy style on with the Sinatra Suspension, the Etta Chandelier or the Janis Table lamp – there’s a light for every room of the house. delightfull.eu
THE HENDRIX WALL LIGHT The Voodoo Chile himself, Jimi Hendrix took the electric guitar and pushed the envelope so far that he seemed to be on a different planet from other musicians. Not so much Blue Sky thinking but “’scuse me while I kiss the sky thinking”. The Hendrix Wall Light represents the million selling gold albums such as Electric Ladyland and Are You Experienced.
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.” Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970)
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Diversity of Style
lobby velvets collection
Sophie Gatward-Wicks talks to UDevelopments, the architectural division of UDesign, about how they design their houses. A dyslectic man who wanted a house designed stood outside two doors of an office building. He knew one was an architect’s office and the other a psychiatrist’s, but wasn’t sure which was which. Then two people walked out of each door, one sobbing uncontrollably and the other laughing like a hyena on nitrous oxide. The man went through the nearest door and walked over to the receptionist: “I’m not sure I’m in the right place,” he said, “but I don’t think it matters.” Yeah, that’s what having your house designed can feel like, but every major decision in life can be stressful, unless taken with expert council.
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ARCHITECTURE
The height of the ceiling in this house is accentuated by the sharply contrasting tones on the outside, and the tall glass doors with no cross frames to break the view upwards.
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POWER OF THE POSITIVE
And expert council means getting it right from the very start, which means finding out how you like to live now and in the future, and where exactly you plan to live. That means setting out clearly how a house can be designed, and in this, the first of our regular features on architecture, we break it down to three different styles, each directly influenced by the lifestyle of its future occupants and the plot on which the house is to be built. These are: The Partial U, which is great for the outdoor lifestyle, where the inside goes outside and you can spend your days in the fresh air. An interior terrace garden would be built close to the main lounge, the two becoming one large living area. Night lighting is important here too, perhaps with a bar at the back,
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ARCHITECTURE
Above & left: an example of the ‘Partial U’ where the blurring of the line between inside and out has created a living space eminently suited to the climate in Southern Europe.
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The classic Block design, simple and elegant, allows for outside views from all the rooms in the house.
a huge barbeque setup amid trees and shrubs and a vertical garden to spice things up. The Block Design, which is perfect for a plot with 180 degree views. It can also work very well on a long, thin plot, as the house can be designed in such a way that every single room has a view. The L Design, which provides privacy on one side and protection from the wind, creating a cosy, private space for the house and its gardens. THINK CAREFULLY Take your pick, but first think carefully about how a particular house style will work for you. What makes it special? Would you love to live in it? The façade is beautiful, but what about the inside? It’s lovely inside, but is the exterior as good? INTERIOR IS KING “We made a decision as a company that we would never compromise inside space and light at the expense of the outside. As one would expect, we make the outside as beautiful as possible, with the use of natural materials such as stone, wood and plants, but only when the inside is perfect will we begin to look seriously at the outside.” NONTRADITIONAL DESIGN Traditionally, one thinks of architects designing the house from the outside, not from the inside out. UDevelopments, do it differently. “All our designs start inside, especially with regard to views and available light, and we seldom know before we start how the outside will look. This may seem illogical to some, but to us it’s the right way to do it, and it’s one of the reasons we are very different from any other architecture and design company.”
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“All our designs start on the inside...we seldom know before we start how the outside will look.”
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“Our buildings are essentially about functionality, style and spatial planning, and even in the supposedly lesser details – the furniture to go into the room, for example – we start backwards: the planning of the furniture begins before the room itself is planned. It’s all about living space, furniture and light.”
The location of the pool, extending under the upper structure of the house itself, makes for quick and easy access, and also reflects light over the water surface onto the terrace.
“Sometimes, a house can look like a stunning piece of sculpture from the outside but inside it’s disappointing. The reason we went into architecture was just that: we frequently found it difficult to match inside to out. A square room, to take one example, is clearly not suitable for an open-plan lounge, dining and kitchen area, because it only works properly as a formal lounge. We needed to meet this challenge, and we did.” LIFESTYLE DETERMINES DESIGN “We talk a lot with our clients before starting, about probable occupant numbers, children, family stays, overnight visitors and so on. And about lifestyle, because how people live determines the kind of house they need. We look at the plot at different times of the day, keeping seasons in mind too, and we design for these factors just as much as any views the house might have. Generally, here on the southern coast of Spain, we situate the kitchen on the east side of the house and the main terrace on the west.” POSITION OF THE POOL & BARBEQUE Barbeque positioning is the key to its regular use. Open your kitchen door and it needs to be very close, otherwise it won’t get used. A philosphy that also applies to the swimming pool.
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“Where a pool is positioned will determine how much it’s used.”
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Pure symmetry, broken just enough to accentuate its perfection, makes this a house that could have stood here since Roman times. Great architecture is always classical in concept, however old or new that concept may be.
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The pool, of course, has become an essential part of life in the sun, and just where it is positioned will again determine how often it will be used. But it’s also a decorative part of the entire house/garden area, reflecting magical light over the terrace during the day and helping to illuminate the area at night. “The pool house, known as a chiringuito in Spain, can add privacy to the terrace, pool and garden if strategically situated, and depending on the plot in question, it can also help protect the entire garden area from the elements while obstructing undesirable views from the house. It should also double as an entertainment space and summer lounge for the family, multifunctional in the right sense of the word.�
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Below: the pool is conveniently located right beside the house, as part of the entire living area rather than as a separate feature of the garden.
ARCHITECTURE
Above: our last issue featured the interiors of the Concept Villa, and here we show how, on the outside, the light floods into the house through the tall, vertical windows.
SIZE MATTERS “Curiously, a house can be too big to be functional. Lovely to look at and dream about, but don’t forget that a lot of lounge needs a lot to furnish it, and you may end up sacrificing comfort and cosiness for something resembling a furniture shop.” GETTING IT RIGHT Design starts in the meeting of minds between client and architect, and that includes every aspect of the finished building, from the way the doors open to the exact position of the poolhouse. Getting it right means getting it right from the start.
UDevelopments have designed and completed luxury villas in some of the world’s most exclusive residential areas, including La Zagaleta and Monte Paraíso in Marbella, and two private villas in the Cayman Islands. udesign.es 87
Cultivating chandeliers since 1724
www.preciosalighting.com
Florence. Think art and architecture. Think ancient and utterly modern. Think great food and great wines, and a unique manufacturing tradition founded on centuries of craftsmanship. Think textiles, think furniture, and think Arketipo Firenze, because this company, now one of the leading furniture designers in all of Italy, is the essential spirit of Florence. Text Vivion O’Kelly, Images Lorenzo Cattelan
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rketipo, archetype in English, which, according to the Oxford English dictionary, is a very typical example of a certain person or thing. But it also tells us, in equally plain language, that it could mean a prototype. When Arketipo Firenze was established in Florence in 1982, it was well named, because it tells us a lot of what we need to know about the distinctive furniture they make. It doesn’t tell the full story, which begins when Giorgio Cattelan and his wife Silvia, set up Cattelan Italia in Florence in 1979. They started making tables and marble products to sell abroad, and became successful very quickly, gaining a reputation for quality and innovation and expanding their product line after opening a new production plant just a few years later. Cattelan Italia acquired the Arketipo Firenze company in 2011, and in the intervening years, under the expert guidance of the couple’s sons, Lorenzo and Paolo, the Arketipo Firenze brand grew to become a world leader in furniture design and accessories. They are now one of the top product design companies in Italy and have a presence in more than a hundred countries throughout the world, showing proudly in the most reputable design fairs wherever they take place. The brand is not instantly recognizable: it doesn’t jump out at you, like much of the funky furniture made these days. It is a lot more subtle than that. You need to actually see it, examine it, touch it and feel it. Even the scent of newly-worked natural leather, locally made fabrics and noble woods tell you this furniture is not made by standard productionline methods nor aimed at a mass market, but is a luxurious blend of ancient craftsmanship, knowledge of the ages, innovation and technology. The raw materials are sourced locally (and remember: this
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The Overdrive swivel armchair, with its dynamic diamond-like form, draws inspiration from the fantasy film world. Surely perfect for any Bond villain...
INTERIOR DESIGN
Loft is more an innovative seating system than a sofa. A simple mechanism allows for two different seat depths, while another mechanism adjusts the back from horizontal through to vertical.
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is Italy) and they go through no complex industrial processes before being worked. The result has a refined beauty, understated in colour and minimalist in shape, and although it is right up to date and designed in a most contemporary way, the quality and history behind each piece should be obvious to any discerning buyer. Once seen slowly and with care, once experienced and once used, a piece of Arketipo Firenze furniture is always recognizable as such. Paolo takes care of the business side, and although he clearly does an excellent job of it, our focus, as a design magazine, is on Lorenzo, who looks after the creative side of the company. This involves overseeing a team of top designers, corporate image, creative leadership and the rare ability to spot a trend before it happens, while never losing sight of the core values of the company. His wide-ranging interests include wine making and photography (he does the photo-shoots himself), and they help explain, as he says in the interview below, how he works and how ideas come to him. You’re the creative half of the Cattelan brothers. Does this creativity show itself in other artistic disciplines? “I’m very proud to be identified as a creative soul. Curiosity and sensitivity are two of my main attributes, and two of the main qualities that distinguish the Arketipo Firenze brand, too. “At the heart of my creative spirit is a huge passion for photography, an artistic discipline that I’ve been practicing for many years. The camera is almost always by my side, both in my everyday life and in long journeys around the world. I’ve always taken photographs of my family. I like to shoot mostly in black and white, which tends to have a strong narrative and evocative power, I think”.
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“A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself.” Jim Morrison’s quote defines the Arketipo Morrison Sofa.
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Lorenzo Cattelan
What advice would your father, the founder of Cattelan Italia, give to you and your brother? “My father, Giorgio Cattelan, was an innovator in the furniture industry. He always had great curiosity for the new and the avant-garde, and even now his constant urge is to look ahead, to capture life’s changes as they happen. He has a strong sense of family values and the energy that goes with that the driving force behind everything – and he had the wisdom to constantly seek out foreign markets. He would hope we share these values.” What’s the key to your success, in as few words as possible? “We’ve got a tight team that never leaves anything to chance, an all-Italian supply chain, fluid and
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LOL:) As fresh and informal as the chat language it’s named after, this is an armchair for curling up into.
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tightly-run, providing the variety of materials we need (wood, leather, fabrics, marble, steel, glass, ceramics and so on) and a constant innovation and research facility of the highest quality, for an authentic made-in-Italy product. And as I mentioned in the previous answer, we always look to markets abroad.”
Above: Atlas Sofa. Slim, wide and cool, all the elements that make up this sofa blend beautifully into one seating unit.
For you, would a tour of Florence’s art galleries be an infrequent cultural outing or an essential part of your work schedule? “I’d love to be able to visit the art galleries in Florence more often, which would be a hotbed of inexhaustible inspiration for me! Unfortunately, my professional commitments don’t allow me, but I go whenever I can and try to keep myself updated on the coolest and most innovative trends. I’m inspired very much by the fashion industry, and take note of every innovative idea in the sector. I’m attracted by new ideas and the eyecatching results that can arise from the mix of different materials. This is certainly the hallmark of Arketipo Firenze collections which, along with the Made-in-Tuscany brand, reinvents an easy-chic lifestyle where heritage and functionality merge with elegance.” How important is the choice of fabrics you use? “We dedicate great attention to the choice of our materials, which are all made in Italy, whether
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INTERIOR DESIGN The Marea sofa, is another piece that can be adapted to fit large or small spaces.
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leathers, precious fabrics, metals or exclusive marbles. We take care of every detail, inspired by outside or complementary sectors, to work in a spirit of irreverence that makes for classic innovation. “The goal of Arketipo Firenze is to transcend the contemporary and create a provocative lifestyle product that we call ‘stylistic transgression’, through the use of materials and design. The result, combined with the manufacturing mastery of Florentine tailoring, gives life to our collections and makes each product unique, precious and an original work of art.” Your mastery of photography has been a real asset to the brand, is this the favourite part of your work? “I personally take care of all the photo shoots,
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Below: Auto-Reverse Dream is a unique bed whose multiple combinations of colours and fabrics are reversible and interchangeable.
INTERIOR DESIGN
Above: Mayfair Dream, inspired by haute couture with refined stitching details, the inclining headboard and side rest are padded with down, making this an exceptionally comfortable bed.
choosing all the set locations, and this enhances the Arketipo Firenze brand. I’m fascinated by working with various stylists and together we find the best way to communicate the palette of emotions that is behind every collection. “Of course yes, this is the favourite part of my job”. We’re struggling to find the connection between your interest in wine production and furniture design. Is there any? “They might initially seem disconnected, but in reality they are the two great passions of my life whose common thread is Veneto, my region of origin, and Tuscany, my region of adoption. Each has a fascinating history and manufacturing traditions, both in the furnishing and wine sectors, which make us truly unique in the world”. arketipo.com
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No architectural element adds drama to an interior quite like a ceiling that soars. In this issue we showcase just that, and a great deal more besides, in a stunning penthouse inspired by the classic luxury Manhattan duplex. Text by Anastasia Sukhanova he 6.5-metre ceiling allows for dramatic use of space: the bedroom, situated upstairs, has an open plan view into the lounge and kitchen downstairs. This creates an easy flow between the two levels of the penthouse, connected by a custom-built solid wood staircase. A simple click of a switch turns the glass panel of the bedroom opaque, making for a private space within. The custom-made kitchen is open-plan, set practically between the dining area and the terrace. It’s one of these great kitchens that function like one but look almost like a bar. The dining area is both stylish and cosy. The lowered lights with the plant pots, by Vibia, were used here to create intimacy and reduce the cathedral-like feeling while seated at the dining table.
A dream setting for dinner. White leather chairs with goldplated legs by Tom Dixon and low lights by Vibia.
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Lounge: This is the view from the bedroom over the lounge and terrace on the lower level.
The lounge is oriented towards the sunset, while the terrace enjoys 180degree sea views
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All of the windows have minimal frames, allowing as much light in as possible, all day. The lounge is oriented towards the sunset, with a TV set on a tall panel with a beautiful marble effect. The terrace enjoys 180-degree sea views from the B&B Italia outdoor sofas. The impressive space created between the terrace, the lounge, the dining area and the kitchen can easily be used for entertainment, but benefits from clearly separated zones for everyday life. The utmost attention was paid to the selection of luxury materials, designer furniture and art – all of which are touches seldom seen in most development projects.
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No need to choose between the sunset and your favourite show – this lounge allows you to enjoy both from a comfortable Minotti sofa.
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Lounge: Olive stools by Brabbu and rustorange cushions add colour to an almost monochrome lounge. The overhead lighting is by Henge, the nest of coffee tables by Classicon and the circular lamp by Floss.
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The master bedroom has its own terrace on one side and the lounge with its sea view on the other. Even the walk-in wardrobe gets so much light from both sides that you don’t feel confined to a space full of clothes. The multifunctional vanity unit, set in the centre of the space, can also be used as a desk. Whether used for dressing up or answering emails, this multifunctional vanity unit is both secluded and bright.
The bedroom has its own terrace on one side and sea views on the other. 116
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The guest bathroom has a natural stone wall behind the backlit mirror. Downlights add a touch of drama.
The master bathroom (above) has a predominantly masculine character. Made entirely of dark marble with inky wood and a touch of neon lighting, it gives an urban, art-smart feel to this intimate space. The quintessential metropolitan style, characterised by chic minimalism and multifunctional space, defines this penthouse. If the big city attracts you, but without the hustle and bustle, this is your kind of home. udesign.es 118
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INTERVIEW WITH THE MAESTRO, MASSIMO CASTAGNA by Zac Colchester
About 30km outside the magic city of Venice, modern history is being made. Under the wonderfully Italian leadership of Creative Director Massimo Castagna, Henge is creating a new paradigm in the world of interiors.
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orged into the very essence of Henge’s design is the mantra of material first. For thousands of years craftsmen have chosen natural materials that exhibit qualities to suit their needs. Henge is taking this foundation and flipping it on its head. Painstakingly searching out, analysing and listening to materials, absorbing their message and allowing their unique attributes to compose the design. The results are truly beautiful. A timeless range of furniture and interior pieces that exhibit qualities that are both ultra-modern and yet ancient. It is this elemental theme that permeates the 2018 collection; strong prehistoric stone in geometric shapes, cast metal fittings and veneers of fossilised swamp wood combined with modern LED lighting, casting just the right amount of light to illuminate the idiosyncrasies that so captivate the imagination of Castagna. Henge began in 2007 with a humble team of two designers and a craftsman, and their journey has seen them grow and accelerate onto the world stage. Unafraid of the seemingly impossible, the heart of the firm is the laboratory, a fitting name for the facility where design problems are overcome using creativity, ingenuity and patience. Solutions that require technological advances and traditional methodology in equal measure. The values that underpin their success, ‘their journey’, have remained steadfast. Henge combines these elements into pieces that are totally sympathetic to their origins, which Castagna believes is due to the wealth of experience that the Italian artisans have accrued over the centuries. While adopting technologically advanced techniques, no part of production has become mainstream, real hands bring individuality and character to every piece and that, as far as Castagna is concerned, will never change. 124
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Innovation & tradition; craftsmanship & technology: are these values not contradictory? It’s important to know where we’ve come from, what steps we’ve taken and why we’ve come here. I live and work in Italy, where there’s an immense wealth of unique experience and craftsmanship. Amongst these are many specialities that we risk losing because of the difficulty of remaining competitive in a global marketplace. For example; the furnaces of Murano glass - a world renowned craft, which has been gradually stifled by lack of creativity and low-cost production. Behind this wonderful world made of people and skilled hands lies the wealth of knowledge I call ‘Made in Italy’, the Italian know-how that is celebrated the world over. In this world, tradition and innovation, craftsmanship and technology are not antithetical, they are part of a single flow toward creativity. Experience and creativity converge, developing knowledge, enhancing what we do and expanding its potential using what the technological evolution makes available to us. Many of your designers, including yourself, are architects. Do you see a clear relationship between architecture and furniture design? A firm rule doesn’t exist, but the affinity between the world of architecture and interior design is useful. I attended the Polytechnic of Milan between the mid’70s and ‘80s, and had the privilege of studying with Marco Zanuso and Achille Castiglioni. Back then there was no specialisation, it was believed that the architect’s approach was multidisciplinary, humanistic, independent of the scale of the project. An architectural project is not a layered cake but
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“Tradition and innovation are not antithetical, but are part of a single flow toward creativity.”
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must follow a single vision based on a single idea for that particular client. Linking the various design aspects is the only way to understand the evolution of the form. Design is not an end in itself, it cannot be a stylistic exercise. I often design products based on the needs of my interior design, drawing on their themes and concepts. You use all the tones of the earth in a very elegant way. Is this a statement of your identity as a company or purely a reflection of the natural world? I use only natural materials in my designs: metal, stone, wood, glass, fabric and leather, working on their expressiveness, trying to emphasize their nature, their character and drawing on the poetry of their imperfections. This is a unique, distinctive characteristic of my personal design approach that I’ve followed for many years. All-natural materials have a strong personality, the incredible expressive power of nature must be supported, caressed and protected. Using these as a basis for contemporary pieces naturally results in timeless design. Is it getting more and more difficult to source the rare raw materials you frequently use? Following my approach is complicated because it involves not only the artisanal production methods, but also the selection of particularly complex material. It’s impossible to order the raw material from a supplier. Stones must be selected block by block, slab by slab, often in quarries in the countries of origin. What is found in nature can be better than one could have imagined but it is hard to find it. Even with constant research and maintenance of raw material stocks it’s not always possible to guarantee the availability of materials, but this is the price to pay for working with such wonderful materials. It is this value, the charm and the difference compared with industrial production, which is fundamental to Henge’s philosophy.
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“Design is not an end in itself, it cannot be a stylistic exercise”
Left: The new Saetta table perfectly encapsulates the experimental work of Henge: Big Marinace stone top, a dramatic dark grey stone, and legs characterised by a bronze sandcasted finish. Next to the table, the new Ex-Tra Chair in red brick nubuck leather.
MADE IN ITALY
One of the products that impresses us most is the Oxymoron Table. Where did the idea for this creation come from? And how is it made? I was looking for a material that had the same expressiveness as the stones found in open scrubs for many years. I started from a small image found in a book. We then discovered that the material was not root but the part of the walnut plant that is between the root and trunk. This is worked with an ancient technique, unused for over 50 years. We only found one craftsman in all the Italian provinces who knew how to work that type of material. After cutting and composing the various pieces, cut from the trunk by hand, the wood was then heat treated to obtain the right colour without the addition of colours. The legs, created using bronze and brass sand casting, are made manually one by one and then adapted with CNC machines to be coupled with the top. Tradition and technology in perfect symbiosis, far removed from industrial production and production cycles.
“The real Made in Italy is handed down through generations of crafsmen”
The Oxymoron Table features a mesmerising micro-mosaic top formed from walnut wood fusion. To see how Henge’s craftsmen have created the intricate beauty of this table-top visit: bit.ly/Oxy-Table
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The Oxymoron Table with walnut grey and leather Savanna chairs and the Tape light hanging above.
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“Ideas and consistency can compete with size and power” It didn’t take long for Henge to become one of the most iconic design companies in Italy. If you keep growing at the same rate will you be forced to industrialise your processes? Henge was born thinking about the furniture that we wanted to have in our home, a very different attitude from the market and distribution perspective. It’s a decidedly courageous and visionary approach that has no real comparison with any other brand. Henge started with very clear ideas and has remained consistent with those ideas. Soon after launching we found great, almost unexpected, success. The business rapidly consolidated, providing international distribution of furniture at the highest level. The recognition and respect of the brand obtained throughout the world in a few short years is a great satisfaction to me, showing that ideas and consistency can compete with size and power. The production criterion is the consequence of this approach. At Henge the production line is formed by a network of artists, each of them a master of their profession, all linked to the company and trained in that type of production. Overall, this is what represents the real Made In Italy, a unique production approach, adopted by the company but handed down through many generations. As long as that unique Italian craftsmanship is recognized and appreciated around the world, Henge will have room for growth. henge07.com
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Behind the bar is the Cage Winery made with swamp oak shelves and polished copper finish with compartments for storing bottles of wine. H Silver Wall Clips illuminate the space.
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Exceptional spaces that enhance and enrich the human experience udesign.es
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DESIGNER We visit the exotic island of Honolulu, where the Shoreline Hotel Waikiki, near the famous beach, has been described as “the most Instagrammable hotel in Hawaii”. by Fiona Flores Watson
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With a zingy colour palette and tropical prints, a rooftop pool and hip restaurant, this funky beachfront pad is a psychedelic seaside fun palace. f you like vibrant, strong shades and a buzzy ambience, close to a world-class beach, this recently refurbished hotel will float your boat. With a concept by Army of Moon People and design by BHDM, the interiors have been carefully thought out to offer visually arresting content for Social Media posts, with engagement guaranteed – from the uberstylish reception to the intense blue rooftop pool terrace, the hotel’s bright shades and bold prints echo the island’s tropical flora and fauna. In the light-infused lobby, with its high ceilings and huge windows looking onto lush plant foliage, you sit down on a brilliant turquoise sofa or turmeric yellow winged armchair, co-designed by Missana and BHDM, with Yves Klein-blue cushions, while your thonged, tanned feet rest on a cerise-pink carpet. It’s like being in a Mondrian painting with kitsch touches – papier-mâché sculptures of native birds in delicate rattan cages hang above your head, a neon sign reads “aloha”. Sip a fruit-infused water while you check on the day’s surf conditions (don’t miss the hashtags!). Right: a neon light lends a party mood.
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As a contrast, apart from some block colours, the walls are plain white, while tables are in neutral, natural pale acacia wood or rattan. At night LED lights make the lobby glow pink, mimicking a Hawaiian sunset. Guest rooms – there are 135 – continue the theme: one scarlet red or cerulean blue wall bears a relief map of the islands, to remind you of where you are. More geometric contemporary furniture in bold tones – blasts of sunshine yellow and fire-engine red, is complemented by vibrant tropical print curtains and carpets. Even the bathtubs and toilet seats are bright pops of primary colours.
Clever coloured LED lighting transforms the lobby at night.
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#seizethestay
The sharp primary colours and geometric shapes of the guest room furniture make a bold statement, while leaf print rugs and curtains add a natural, fresh element.
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#shorelinevibes Up on the 14th-floor rooftop, with its on-trend pink Acapulco weave chairs and lovely beach views, there’s a mural commissioned from California-based artist DJ Neff with orange, pink and purple exotic flora, while the walls that enclose the suntrap terrace housing the swimming pool are a vivid purply-blue. The vibe even extends to the staircase, with crazy clashing colour plant murals covering the walls and ceiling – like a psychedelic jungle. As you’d expect, the Heavenly Island Lifestyle restaurant has an equally quirky, youthful feel, with informal wooden tables and a surfboard on the wall. From seafood and organic meats to farm-grown greens, appetizing dishes include: for breakfast, eggs benedict with Okinawa purple potato or Big Island French toast covered with fresh fruit; local pork and cilantro maze-soba for lunch; and for dinner, Kulana Ranch ribeye steak or Kauai garlic shrimp.
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DJ Neff’s multicoloured tropical mural creates a vibrant backdrop at the pool terrace. Right: Even the staircase is a riot of colour, with exotic foliage climbing up the walls and snaking over the ceiling.
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“It’s like being in a Mondrian painting with kitsch touches”
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With all the tropical fruit available on the island, juice fans will be in their element, with Mao Farm organic carrot juice, and kale, banana, almond milk, mango, and spirulina smoothies, while for cocktails think mojitos infused with mango, caipirinhas with açaí, Maui gold pineapple mimosas, and papaya sangria. The hotel offers yoga and painting classes, as well as a shop with clothes and accessories by Hawaiian brands and local makers, for some take-home “aloha spirit”. One wall of the lobby is decorated entirely with coloured straw hats – lime green, fuscia pink, sea turquoise and citrus orange – so you can match your beach outfit with coordinating headwear. And then take a selfie, of course. shorelinehotelwaikiki.com
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KINGS & QUEENS CASTLE BED www.circu.net
info@circu.net
LIFESTYLE
DESIGNTRENDS TRENDS DESIGN Okuda in the Kaos Temple, Llanera, Spain
COLOURING THE WORLD UD Magazine caught up with Okuda in Russia, where he was painting a mural on the Atrium centre in Moscow, a project focused on the power of street art to evoke positive change.
A painted pizza oven in a Madrid restaurant. Collaborations with global design brands. Solo exhibitions in London and Los Angeles. This is the broad canvas used by Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel, whose unique language of geometric rainbow patterns and fantasy-like characters has made him one of the world’s most recognisable street artists today. His surrealistic, large-scale murals bring life and colour to the poorest neighbourhoods from India to the Ukraine and down to South Africa, where his work often raises questions about existentialism, the universe, the meaning of life, and the contradictions between our present and our distant past.
What has been your most inspiring experience? Every time I go to India I bring back amazing memories. The people there are very special. They might have nothing, but they still find reasons and energy to only see the good and be happy. They truly feel art. It’s very important for me to keep the balance between the work I do in big cities with big brands and social projects. Art removes boundaries between cultures and religions, and to me it’s the most beautiful thing. >> 148
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The World-Love is Ours, Kiev, Ukraine
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More art. Less decoration. Meet a new type wallpaper company. FEATHR work with contemporary artists to create truly original wallcoverings. More love, less like. www.feathr.com | @wearefeathr
Pictured: Glowing Shards in Blue wall mural, from â‚Ź59/sqm
LIFESTYLE
DESIGN TRENDS Left: Rejuvenated church in Youssoufia, Morocco and below, apartment building in Rabat.
What was the most unusual invitation you ever received? I recently painted the façade of a 19th century palace in France and that was great, because I love to paint classical architecture. Giving life back to old places is what I want to keep doing, no matter how unusual those places are. The colour palette of your artwork has been described as psychedelic... The contrast between my artwork and its surroundings is so great that it’s like an LSD vision. Even between all the branding and the advertising around it, my work still stands out.
Your next solo project in Denver, Colorado, is titled The Plastic Island. Do you often address environmental issues in your work? I live in my pink cloud, you know, and I don’t watch the news very often. But when an issue like this comes to my attention I feel a strong calling to do something about it. It’s time to draw attention to the issue of a growing mass of plastic debris that was found in the Pacific Ocean. But I want to present it in a funny way, as if the island were a normal tourist destination in the future. It’s a horrifying dystopia – to imagine a holiday on a genuine sea dump – but it might become real much sooner than we think. I believe environmental pollution is the most important problem of our age. And the second is that we are polluting our minds with TV and all the other distractions we now have. It takes us all away from our spiritual roots, and that shouldn’t happen. okudart.es 151
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DESIGN TRENDS
THE ESPIRIT NOIR CAPSULE COLLECTION BY GIOPAGANI, WITH FABRIC BY KIRBY DESIGN Iconic Italian design studio Giopagani has created a striking capsule collection comprising the Déjà Vu Chair and Stool, and the Je T’Attends sofa, which is exclusive to Harrods. Fabrics by Kirkby Design in collaboration with Eley-Kishimoto. The collaboration celebrates a common passion for patterns and geometry, strongly influenced by the 1970s. The Je T’Attends sofa is upholstered in Origami Rockets while the chair and stool use Origami Rocketinos and Zig Zag Birds. giopagani.com / harrods.com / romo.com 152
Collection Grand Life
design Christophe Pillet —
ethimo.com Showroom Milan / Rome / Viterbo Paris / Cannes
Contacts info@ethimo.com +39 0761 300 444
Ph Bernard Touillon
LIFESTYLE
DESIGN TRENDS THE GLOBETROTTER COLLECTION Designed by Marcel Wanders for Roche Bobois, this epic collection was inspired by the 18th century Montgolfier brothers, Joseph Michel and Jacques Étienne, who were the inventors of the first practical hot air balloon. With more than 20 pieces based on various inventions by the brothers, this whimsical collection takes us on an adventurous and aweinspiring design journey. The design powerhouses have managed to combine history with an adventure fable, creating a playful collection of furniture, accessories and lighting designs. Marcel Wanders said of the creations: “This collection is a tribute to the adventurer we all dreamt of being. A journey is a transformational experience and we wanted each piece to capture the experience of bringing home worldly treasures from faraway places.” Reflecting rich elements of nature and cosmopolitan cultures, this eclectic home furniture collection is on our must-have list. marcelwanders.com roche-bobois.com 154
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DESIGN TRENDS MOAI CONSOLE TABLE We love the character of this console with its two happy heads! Moai are human figures carved in stone by the Rapa Nui people on Easter Island between 1250 and 1500. They are mainly the living faces of deified ancestors who were believed to be charged with a magical spiritual essence called mana. This served as inspiration for Bessa to create this limited edition piece. bessadesign.com
FALLEN LEAVES MIRROR The exquisite Fallen Leaves mirror, almost two metres high, is made from hand carved wood finished in gold leaf (red and black degrade) in high gloss varnish. This special edition piece is from the Beyond Memory Collection, designed by Joana Santos Barbosa of Insidherland. The essence of Insidherland is presented in two inspiring collections: the Beyond Memory Collection, which is influenced by organic forms of nature, legends and traditional cultures, and the Identity Collection, which derives its inspiration from art and architecture. Both collections are designed as a dialogue in which nature meets strong architectural lines to create relaxed and sophisticated interiors surrounded by natural materials and meaningful art pieces. insidherland.com
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Italian luxury wallpaper Designed and printed in Italy
NEW CATALOGUE ONLINE - wallpepper.it
LIFESTYLE
DESIGN TRENDS SKINWALL DREAM WALLPAPER Skinwall Dream Wallpaper have created an innovative new wallpaper titled Undergrowth Sun (below), on an embossed, unwoven textile support recently previewed at the Architect@ Work Milan show. The company’s collaboration with three artists has produced ten spectacular wallpaper designs, one of which, On the Stage (left), was exhibited on a backing of Woven Vinyl TNT. Marco Brigi, of Skinwall Dream Wallpaper, said: “Our creations shed their exclusively aesthetic functions, eliminating the borders of the room and projecting it into a limitless dimension, thus defining a new architecture for living.” skinwall.it
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DESIGN BY DMYTRO DUBCHAK FOR UDESIGN udesign.es
WHAT’S NEXT?
MARKUS BENESCH CREATES
is a multidisciplinary design studio creating surfaces, products, interiors and smiling faces since 1988. Their work is infused with humour, wit and fantasy.
DISRUPTIVE DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
We talk to Steve Crummack about his game-changing design and visit his floating hotel in Zanzibar and a resort built under the sand dunes.
DEVOTION TO THE SENSES
Travel, music and nature is what inspires Joana Santos Barbosa, CEO and founder of Insidherland. She seizes cultures and contexts, dissects memories and rearranges concepts, taking them as starting points for the liberation of creativity.
MAISON DARRÉ
We look at the creations of the brilliant French designer Vincent Darré, who transforms fierce poetry and joie de vivre into his own creations. 160
Custom-made artwork available from UDesign (+34) 952 794 117 info@udesign.es udesign.es
BEAUTIFULLY DETAILED CONTEMPORARY HOMES udesign.es
udesign.es
