Design Stories

D E S I G N

S T O R I E S

R e l a x a t i o n c o r n e r s a n d p a s s e p a r t o u t f u r n i t u r e t e l l n e w w a y s o f d e f i n i n g t h e d o m e s t i c s p a c e . W i t h f l u i d s i g n s , e s s e n t i a l v o l u m e s a n d g r a p h i c d e t a i l s

by Murielle Bortolotto and Tamara Bianchini — photos by Federico Cedrone

Stylish relaxation. The Standalto sofa by Francesco Binfaré for Edra is modular and super comfortable is. With a smart cushion, the back and armrests can be adjusted with a simple, light pressure (edra.com). Irregularly shaped Roche rug by Hanne Willmann for Calligaris (calligaris.com). Around it, three lamps illuminate the space. In the foreground, Claritas by Vico Magistretti in collaboration with Mario Tedeschi, and o n the right the extra slim Fox by Bernhard Osann, both produced by Nemo (nemolighting.com). Left, beyond the sofa, the brand new, jointed Ixa lamp by Foster+Partners for Artemide (artemide.com).

Japanese mood. Two pieces designed by Jean-Marie Massaud for Poliform are the heroes of the shot. In the foreground, the solid wood Nara console table, stained matte elm, and in the background the Aiko sideboard, which appears floating on light feet. Inside, shelves with integrated lighting and drawers for storing objects (poliform.it). I Flessi ceramic vases created by Francesca Verardo (francescaverardo.com) and Shades lamps by George Sowden for Sowdenlight (sowdenlight.com).

Disco Pop. Donald, crystal coffee table by Philippe Starck for Glas Italia, available in three sizes and twelve colours (glasitalia.com). The tablecloth comprised of small mirror mosaics by artist Davide Medri (davidemedri.it) is sinuous, and partially covers the iridescent Beetle pouf by Verner Turroni for ImperfettoLab (imperfettolab.com). Right, Croma lamp by Luca Nichetto for Lodes. In four finishes, measuring 186 h cm (lodes.com). Precious stitching defines the Twiggy armchair by Rodolfo Dordoni, designed for Minotti (minotti.com).

Natural effect. Surrounded by the green of the Lapse rug from the Tempore line, designed by Duccio Maria Gambi for cc-tapis (cc-tapis.com), is the ash wood Karin armchair by Setsu & Shinobu Ito for Désirée, with back made of woven leather cord (desiree.com). The project by Panter & Tourron for Cappelini is called Apartment Lamp, with adjustable LED lighting and metal structure (cappellini.com). Adam coffee tables by Marcel Wanders Studio for Natuzzi Italia. Organic shape, natural ash wood, available in three sizes and heights (natuzzi.com).

Extra white. Large Roma table by Monica Armani for Turri. Made of monochromatic lacquered wood, it has rounded corners and cylindrical legs. Measures: 240 or 280 cm (turri.it). Above, Doodle vase by Maya Leroy for Sem Milano (sem-milano.com), Oort lamp designed by Jacopo Roda for FontanaArte. A flexible and luminous tube generates infinite composition possibilities; pictured, the table version (fontanaarte. com). Hanging, the Veil chandelier with eleven arms by BIG, Bjarke Ingles Group for Artemide (artemide.com).

Designer accessories. Maori is a small wall-mounted console table designed by Essetipi for Porada. A slender pewter grey metal structure supports the Canaletta walnut wood top (porada.it). Left, Rondo mirror by Oskar Zieta, on sale at Rossana Orlandi, diameter 120 cm (rossanaorlandi.com), and Palloncino lamp by Franco Raggi for Firmamento Milano. Painted steel stem and metallised borosilicate glass sphere. Height 185 cm (firmamentomilano.com).

Night & Day. Marty bed with wide headboard by E-ggs for Bolzan Letti, with side shelves and fabric covering (bolzan.com). Pure cotton satin sheets and pillowcases from the Lounge series by Rivolta Carmignani (rivoltacarmignani.com); milk white cashmere fringed small blanket, Pure, by Frette (frette.com). Wicker armchair T.54 by Archivio Storico Bonacina produced by De Padova, now in outdoor version available in Terracotta red and Eucalyptus green (depadova.com). On the floor, Roche rug by Calligaris.

AUST R A L

E U RO P E

I n S yd n ey, t h e e l e g a n c e o f t h e O l d Wo rl d . I n a n A r t D e c o a rch i t e c t u re w i t h n e u t r a l c o l o u r s, cl a s s i c d e c o r, a r t , a n d m i d - c e n t u r y d e s i g n

words by Marzia Nicolini – photos by Felix Forest/Living Inside in collaboration with Flavia Giorgi

Between the arches defining the rooms, under the plaster-decorated ceilings runs the living room. Soriana leather sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Cassina, and a white a vintage sofa; the swivel armchair is by Milo Baughman, the coffee table by Charlotte Perriand, Cassina. Floor lamp by Isamu Noguchi, Vitra, hanging chandelier by Serge Mouille. Opposite page, 1950s chair and artwork by Aida Tomescu.

Devoted to reading, the relaxation room offers the comfort of prototype armchairs by Pierre Augustin Rose. Iconic, the Ptolomeo bookcase by Bruno Rainaldi for Opinion Ciatti. Next page, the dining room, where the Africa table by Scarpa for Maxalto and Cuoio chairs by EOOS for Walter Knoll take centre stage. On the wall, still life by Felix Forest and artwork by Sadhbha Cockburn.

A favourite room of the owner, a passionate cook, the kitchen is equipped with walnut furniture; marble countertops and brass details add a touch of classicism. Next page, the snack corner consists of a leather bench and a Tulip table by Saarinen, Knoll. Also here, in its wall version, a lamp by Serge Mouille. Photo by Felix Forest.

From the top floor windows, the view glides over a row of Victorian terrace houses and an uninterrupted expanse of rooftops and chimneys. Inside, the height of the three-point-thirty metre ceilings is celebrated with stuccoes and ceiling roses that follow the curved archways framing the openings between rooms. Everything is imbued with a sense of calm and a feeling of déjà vu, which this European traveller on a first trip to Sydney finds unexpected. Memories of Parisian views and classic interiors, elegant and bright, come to mind. The owner confirms: “I’m French, so in this landscape, in these rooms, I feel at home”. Nostalgia and an appetite for new experiences compensate one another in the story that Felix Forest, an international photographer of architecture and interiors, shares and describes in the suburb of Harbourside, in Elizabeth Bay: “It’s a lively area, filled with cafes and trendy restaurants, tree-lined streets and magnificent parks alongside the beach. Our home is inside a 1917 building, one of the three oldest Art Deco structures in the area”. Enchanted by the stile’s elegant lines, he and his wife Edwina — creative director and cofounder of the AJE fashion brand — purchased two adjacent lots to create a single apartment. A complex renovation, which had to make sense and give balance to the new layout, but also undo the damage of past upgrades that had deprived the place of its soul. A creative project that engaged and excited the couple. “We wanted to preserve the unique characteristics of the Deco aesthetic, the breadth of the scale, the mouldings and the stuccoes, the bay windows, the relationship with the natural light. While simultaneously imbuing a contemporary sensibility”. The idea was to create an airy space in which to feature paintings and sculptures, antiques and design pieces collected during years of travel and working overseas. The chromatic range of neutral shades envelopes the surfaces and widens the interiors, covering the soft shapes of the upholstery and connecting timber, hide and leather. “We’re both passionate about art and mid-century design, specifically of Italian, French and Scandinavian origins. We wanted to create a special canvas, a tonal and tactile backdrop against which each individual piece could be featured on its own, while also interacting with the others. Thus, we have chosen paints with opaque finishings, which are ideal for capturing light rather than reflecting it, and coarse textures on the walls and archways of most rooms. It is the perfect setting in which to celebrate mainly unframed artworks and second-hand furniture whose life predates us, and which we hope will live on after we have passed them along”. In the morning sun the furnishings in the easternfacing rooms come to life. The south-facing day area provides cool summer afternoons. Because here, while the charming style keeps playing its part, the sun reminds us that we are on the opposite side of the planet. —

“ T h e ch a r m o f t h e p e r i o d h o u s e, t h e b re a d t h o f s c a l e a n d t h e re l at i o n s h i p w i t h n at u r a l l i g h t wo n u s ove r ”

Felix Forest

Elegant and austere is the mood of the studio, which combines a rosewood desk and sideboard by Gunni Omann for Omann Jun, illuminated by Claus Bonderup & Torsten Thorup’s pendant. On the furniture, works by Shannon Smith and Rachael Harrex. The restored wooden floors are original throughout the house. Opposite page, the homeowner Felix Forest, photographer, with his daughter Freïa Moon.

Uniform surfaces for the bathroom, where the tactile Tadelakt cladding, chosen in a light shade, illuminates the whole room, with custom-made furniture designed by Felix Forest. Opposite page, the master bedroom, connected to the study by an archway. On the bed by Gervasoni, the small blanket is by Society. The rug, designed by the owners, was made by Fyber.