The (almost) JANUARY - Things of note
Deco delights, 'undesigned' design & lessons from commercial interiors.
INTERIOR
The home of @roberto_gerosa_architect
Photography @francescodolfophotography
I was lucky enough to get a copy of Laura May Todd’s book, ITALIAN INTERIORS for Christmas. One of my favourite spaces in the book ( and there are many) is the home of artist, architect and designer Roberto Gerosa.
Of Note
Amazing brass bed imported from India … and no, I’m afraid after scouring for an unseasonable amount of time , I could not find anything similar to share. Definitely one of a kind.
You can get your mitts on the brown suede sofa though as it is designed by Gerosa himself. It has swivelling seat sections on either side which is a lovely touch. I think if I had seen it as a stand alone image I may not have fallen for it but in the context of his home it really does sing.
Hello, fantastic colour combination , turquoise & brick red. Everything is considered here but has a lovely feeling of just having happened rather than being over designed. A good lesson in mixing metals too.
The above image is reminding me to get artwork framed and up on the wall. I honestly spend so much time procrastinating over frames and hanging that most artworks I do have stay in a plan chest, what a waste. Definitely taking a leaf out of Gerosa’s book for 2025 and displaying the things I love.
If you enjoyed Roberto Gerosa’s interior I’m pretty sure you will love the Antique dealer Gilles de Moyencourt’s Cape Town home featured on The World of Interiors last month.
FURNITURE / PAST
Eugene Printz
I recently discovered the work of Eugene Printz. Its been nice to see more interior designers embracing early 20’s and 30’s modernism in projects. I’ll always be a fan of lacquer and bold unusual forms so excited to see more of this in 2025 ( this is not a trend report).
Much of the below would look pretty revolutionary now so imagine what a trail blazer Printz was in his day. I purchased a book of his work for £30 on Abe books so I will be exploring more of his pieces. If its any good i’ll make some scans for paid subscribers. Pretty pleased with my purchase, as an earlier edition is going for over 1k on first dibs. Madness.
If you wish to purchase a piece of art deco/20s/30s modernism for your own home but don’t have a house deposit to spend on a piece by Eugene Printz , I’ve found a few beautiful bits with a similar feel for you.
By Barnabas
By Barnabas has some lovely pieces, I particularly liked this 20s chair which is actually more reminiscent of the earlier Arts & Crafts/Wiener Werkstätte movement (one for another newsletter)
1920's Art Deco Lounge Chair €580.00
This Chrome Bauhaus lamp is super too.
1930's Bauhaus Table Lamp by Miloslav Prokop designed for Vorel Praha Company €380.00
Goldwoodbyboris
Goldwoodbyboris came up trumps with these pieces.
Modernist Living Room Set by John Van Zeeland
French Art Deco Sofa in Red Striped Velvet and with Swoosh Armrests
I immediately hunted for more pieces by John Van Zeeland but only found this very lovely cabinet below, also on Goldwood.
Love that in the description shared about the cabinet it says it came from this house, what a perfect fit. I also like that its very flat form feels like a simple line drawing brought to life.
…and a few pieces on EBAY
Italian chrome and smoked glass coffee table c1930
Pair of 1930s modernist garden chairs, Vintage Dressing Table Walnut Italy 1920s-1930s ( love the striped wood leg details on this one!), 1930s Art Deco Oak Desk Occasional Armchair , 1930's Art Deco Wood, Chrome & Brass Tiered Side Table, Art Deco Console Burr Walnut Quilted Maple and Satinwood
COMMERCIAL INTERIOR
PNY by @rudyguenaire
Photography @ludovicbalay
Of Note
Lovely use of multiple wood tones together
Fantastic bespoke chair design with a butter yellow nod to Bauhaus.
Simple colour palette ( tonal greens, off whites, soft yellow, terracotta and wood tones)
Perfect off kilter placement of artwork and clock at the front desk
Beautifully thoughtful design details give the space a nostalgic feel without looking pastiche.
I like that you would feel like you were in a film set in any of Guenaire’s PNY designs. You can see them all here alongside some fantastic chair designs for specific concepts, including this one below called Lille, which gives me Mackintosh vibes.
As a designer myself I am torn between loving the Complete designs of schemes like this where the attention to detail, story telling and reference is exceptional, then on the other hand the love of undone ‘undesigned’ spaces such as the homes of Roberto Gerosa and Gilles de Moyencourt . Perhaps commercial spaces have much more room for conceptual design and private homes need more space for individuality and a completely different kind of personal story telling.
INTERIOR
Photography : Barbara Corsico
Discovered via Yellow Trace
Of note
The use of silver curtains. If you like the gohar world apron this ones for you.
All round nicely odd combinations of materials and furniture case in point ( Mario Botta shogun light with a more rustic/industrial wooden desk)
'Shogun' Table Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide £708.00
£886.00On the subject of lights, if you like the one in the bedroom its the Parentesi Element design by Achille Castiglioni and Pio Manzu , 1971 for Flos
£355.00£284.00
COMMERCIAL INTERIOR
Photography @chrismottalini
Of Note
I like that this place feels like a collage of lots of my favourite things ( Gio Ponti homage / mid century mashup). These combinations took a lot of skill to put together and pull off so I now think that Peer is a magician as well as a designer.
Not sure how this interior works in relation to the original architecture of the building but maybe this too has a surreal friction that I’d likely enjoy.
I’m yet to find a space with an Afra and Tobia Scarpa chair that i didn’t like. If you can find one i’ll give you a free subscription.
925 Chair in Leather and Wood by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1960s £7,244
( THATS IN THE SALE!)
The HAY Chisel is a more affordable alternative with a similar signature, £487.00 ( I like it in the Dark Burgundy below)
Back to Hannes …
The combination of textures and materials here are absolutely dribble worthy. You could basically stroke your way around this place with your eyes shut and still know its spectacular.
In a short film I saw online with Hannes Peer he describes the project as a love letter from Milan to New York. I can really feel this. In no way is Speer hiding his references, he is celebrating them. Refreshingly not following the “The work is only as good as the obscurity of your sources” rule . It gives the place a less pretentious feel as it shows the designer as a Fan as well as a creator.
In Summery - Some ideas to take into your own home.
Embrace and mix textures, don’t be afraid to combine different wood tones and different metal finishes.
Have at least one hero chair
Mash up, it can conjure up nostalgia without feeling pastiche.
Find your personal story
Absorb locations in films for inspiration
Artwork looks great off kilter, and finally
Be a fan as well as a creator.
WATCH, READ & LISTEN
I’ve been watching the quick fire ROLODEX interviews on Swike with Designers from across the pond.
I’ve subscribed to Beata Heuman’s BBC maestro course so have enjoyed an early viewing of one of the classes. I can’t wait to watch the rest as of the 30th of January. There will be a reveal of her newly decorated home too as part of the series, which I’m also very excited about. ( The course currently has 40% off until 31st Dec)
Some of my favourite Substack reads have been , Bella Mackie’s A horrible gift guide , Sentimental Garbage’s Bad things I spent good money on this year ( I did like the look of that John lewis mushroom lamp so am now making it my mission to find Caroline O’Donoghue a practical task light that is just as attractive ) . I also discovered that Raven Smith is on Substack and had some Lols over how he described a stainless steel bed in his weekly top 5. ( said bed is available from Beton Brut )
I haven’t had chance to listen yet but the The Sound of Colour hosted by Sarah Gottlieb should be great to tune into with guests such as Bethan Laura Wood and John Booth.
See you on the other side in 2025
The next letter will be a ‘Best in show’ for paid subscribers only.
Em
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