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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Business Standard
Function meets fantasy: How stylish is your furniture in today's homes?
The days of defining luxury with gilded, heavy furniture are gone. A quiet revolution is taking place in the most fashionable homes of India Namrata Sharma Listen to This Article High-networth connoisseurs are today embracing a subdued, legendary form of opulence that values distinctiveness, craftsmanship, and heritage. Fine furniture is now about soul, not just status, whether it's a bar cabinet with elaborate French marquetry or a delicately curved Italian leather sofa. The renaissance of craft Greater desire for artistic expression has traditional woodworking techniques gaining popularity. Hand-lathed wood, marquetry, inlay, and labour-intensive polishing techniques are seeing an upsurge, courtesy international ateliers and Indian brands such as AKFD and Kolkata-based Scarlet Splendour. It's about conserving history while making furniture. Scarlet Splendour collaborates with craftspeople to produce imaginative pieces (think sculpted
Web Release
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Web Release
The Inaugural Downtown Design Riyadh Opens Next Week
Downtown Design Riyadh's inaugural edition will take place from 20-23 May 2025 in the creative hub of JAX District. Held in partnership with the Architecture and Design Commission of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture, the fair marks a defining moment for the Kingdom's evolving creative landscape. Committed to showcasing contemporary and high-quality design, the programme spans global brands, emerging talent from the region, and a spectrum of immersive cultural experiences that will unfold across the district's indoor and outdoor spaces. Dates & Timings VIP preview: Public Days: 21 May 2 PM – 10 PM 22 May 4 PM – 11 PM 23 May 4 PM – 11 PM Tickets General admission tickets are available at Highlights Downtown Design Riyadh's exhibitor line-up includes Huda Lighting, Saint Louis, Natuzzi, Scarlet Splendour, Visionnaire and more Dedicated section for limited-edition design will feature works by names such as Thomas Heatherwick, Draga & Aurel, Sabine Marselis and Naqsh Collective Saudi talent is at the heart of the fair, from the Designed in Saudi showcase to a cultural offer provided by local initiatives and institutions Programme highlights include a daily programme of panel talks, alongside workshops and live activations Creative F&B including a collaboration from London-based Bompas & Parr and The Lighthouse who will bring a multi-sensory culinary experience to the fair with glow-in-the-dark sweet treats and conceptual mocktails, alongside Saudi specialty coffee brands Origin Roasters and Marble x Easy Bakery Exhibitor Overview Cosentino will present the Moon Vignettes installation by Kuwait-based Babnimnim Design Studio, Lasvit will present Splash, a glass lighting installation designed by Martin Gallo and Natuzzi Italia will debut the Amama collaboration with Andrea Steidl in the region. Maison Louis Drucker will launch a collaboration with digital fabrication platform TRAME and design studio Aranda\Lasch, merging algorithmic design with time-honoured craftsmanship. Jotun will stage an experiential colour exhibition with a local designer, while Klekktik and Assembly will join forces in a curated display that merges modern design with iconic vintage collectibles. Making its debut at the fair, Grey Garden Plant Studio will present a collection of raw, handmade planters and vases. Jaipur Rugs will showcase collections from Tatiana De Nicolay's Jardins Du Monde among others. Saint Louis will present Torsade, a collection created in collaboration with Italian artist Stefania Di Petrillo, while Iwan Maktabi will introduce its collaborations with Blu Architects, David / Nicolas and Roula Salamoun. Scarlet Splendour is set to debut in the region with a bold presentation including pure brass pieces by Richard Hutten, and Serafini will showcase the best of Italian craftsmanship through exclusive furniture and functional design. In a multi-brand showcase, Huda Lighting will present leading architectural and decorative lighting brands, including Brokis, Italamp, Panzeri and Bomma while The Bowery Company will exhibit modern Scandinavian brands Audo Copenhagen, GUBI and &Tradition. Exhibiting Saudi-based designers include Hobal, Lucas Barcelo, and the interior design studio co-founded by Saudi designer Noura Suleiman. Their work spans architecture, product and object design, with contemporary interpretations of cultural heritage. Alongside the Designed in Saudi initiative, which will highlight the development of the Kingdom's industrial sector and key initiatives, Saudi Arabia is poised to host leading talent from the global and regional design communities at the Downtown Design Riyadh fair. Limited-Edition Design In a dedicated section of the fair, collectible works and ultra-high-end design will be presented by international galleries, independent studios, and manufacturers. Gallery COLLECTIONAL will showcase limited-edition pieces by internationally recognised designers, including Christophe Delcourt, Apparatus Studio, Draga & Aurel, as well as names such as Laurids Gallée, Mario Tsai, Sabine Marcelis, Steven John Clark and Refractory. Venini's presentation will include glassworks made in collaboration with renowned names such as Michele De Lucchi and Peter Marino. Visionnaire will highlight collections by designers including Alessandro La Spada and Marc Ange. Helen Chislett Gallery brings a breadth of leading design names from the UK, including works by Thomas Heatherwick, as well as pieces by Roome London, Tom Faulkner, Object Studio, and Atelier 001, while Italian textile studio Dinodo's limited-edition rugs and tapestries will make its regional debut, highlighting collaborations with renowned artists. Jordanian design duo Naqsh Collective blends contemporary aesthetics with traditional Arab craftsmanship, showcasing works that reflect cultural memory through modern form. Immersive Installations, Pop Ups, Talks and Activations BMW Saudi Arabia will unveil a compelling spatial experience at the first-ever Downtown Design Riyadh. The BMW Lounge, a creative hospitality concept conceived by Saudi designer Amani Al-Ibrahim, Partner and Executive Director at Kristina Zanic Consultants, articulates BMW's progressive design language and ongoing dialogue with the world of design, architecture, and innovation. London-based Bompas & Parr, the creative duo known for crafting wild, immersive food experiences that blend art, science, and gastronomy, will collaborate with The Lighthouse to bring a multi-sensory experience to the fair. Set to delight visitors with an offering of glow-in-the-dark sweet treats and conceptual mocktails, the pop-up concept, conceived by local design firm Laeta Interior, is influenced by the disciplined dreamers of Bauhaus. The programme also features a pop-up by Saudi specialty coffee brands Origin Roasters and Marble x Easy Bakery. Multidisciplinary studio Karim+Elias, led by Karim Tamerji and Elias Hage, will present Strata, a modular outdoor installation constructed from Saudi sand using the traditional rammed earth technique. Positioned in the main outdoor squares of JAX District, Strata blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, offering visitors an immersive experience that connects Riyadh's past and present. The installation highlights Karim+Elias' commitment to material-driven artistry and site-responsive design. The fair's thought-leadership platform The Forum will host a daily programme of panel talks, alongside workshops and live activations across topics such as architecture, materials, sustainability, and regional innovation. The talks programme spans a wide range of themes, from nurturing creative communities and exploring the growing market for design, to examining future directions in contemporary practice. It also highlights cross-disciplinary collaboration, regional exchange, and the evolving role of design in shaping social environments and wellbeing. A dedicated panel will spotlight the impact of women leading the design of our surroundings, emphasizing inclusive and forward-thinking approaches. Saudi Spotlight The fair will include a special feature of architectural installations and interactive works previously commissioned by local cultural institutions, emphasising the evolving creative scene of the Kingdom. Providing an immersive, yet educational moment for visitors of all backgrounds, ADC will also proudly present a collaborative installation titled Woven by Ruba Al Khaldi, which includes an interactive loom used live during the fair. Ithra will curate presentations including Open Segments by SYN Architects, the Iwan Pavilion, and Adeem.
The Guardian
30-03-2025
- The Guardian
Take the roof off: outside meets inside in a radically artistic Italian home
Tucked into the rolling hills between Bertinoro and Cesena, Marcantonio Raimondi Malerba's home is not just a place to live, it is a testament to the seamless fusion of art, nature and design. For the celebrated sculptor, artist and designer, whose whimsical creations have captivated the design world, this sanctuary is both a refuge and a continuous source of inspiration. 'When I first visited the land, I was struck by its natural beauty,' he recalls. 'The terrain had a peculiar shape – an almost perfectly rectangular hilltop. As I explored, two roe deer wandered past, an almost magical encounter. That was the moment I knew I would build my home-atelier right here.' This connection to nature is woven into every aspect of his house, a cluster of minimalist white volumes that rise organically from the landscape. 'I wanted a home that resonated with the environment, rather than imposing itself,' he explains. 'At the same time, I wanted it to reflect my work, like a sculpture.' The result? A structure of pure, essential forms, where the architecture itself is a study in balance and restraint. White concrete-tile roofs blend into the walls, creating a monolithic effect, while expansive glass surfaces welcome in amazing views. The layout, too, is unconventional. The interior is designed not as a singular mass, but as a series of interconnected spaces, reminiscent of a small village. 'I loved the idea of multiple small houses, rather than one large entity. This created a series of intimate, picturesque corners, each with its own play of light and shadow,' he says. A glass passageway connects the private residence to his studio, offering a liminal space between work and life, contemplation and creation. From the terrace, the view spills on to the Romagna countryside. 'Living here is a constant dialogue with nature,' says Marcantonio. 'I even placed an outdoor bathtub and shower on the terrace, inspired by my travels in Indonesia, so I never lose the feeling of being outside.' The surrounding garden is another of his passions: 'I don't want it to feel too designed. Nature should have its own say,' he says. Stepping inside the home he shares with his partner, the illustrator Alessandra Bruni, one immediately notices how the interiors reflect his artistic philosophy: a space where raw, sculptural simplicity meets curated eclecticism. 'I've always been drawn to the stark, sun-drenched interiors of Puglia and Greece, where white dominates and objects are chosen with artistic intent,' he says. His own home follows this ethos, acting as an extension of his creative universe. Here, white walls become blank canvases, punctuated by pieces that tell stories: a Gorilla Chair and pouf from Scarlet Splendour, the Comfy sofa and Sending Pig storage chest from Seletti, a handcrafted wooden flower table. 'Every object has meaning, whether it's a piece I designed or something I found in a flea market. I see them as characters in a collective narrative.' 'What I love is the magical object, a special and unique piece that carries a story, an idea and an intrinsic meaning,' he says. 'An object that, for those who own it or for those who can truly see it, holds a value far beyond its market worth. I don't make a strong distinction between art and design; rather, what I do is search for the artistic aspect within design and make functional what I contemplate.' The dining area is a study in contrasts: a robust oak table built by a friend, surrounded by traditional Romagnolo osteria chairs and an African stool. Above, in the living area, the Karman Plancton lamp casts an ethereal glow. 'I love the mix of influences, from local craftsmanship to global inspirations. There's no single style, just layers of memories and artistic contaminations.' Perhaps the most personal piece in the house is an old wooden bench from his childhood bedroom, now repurposed as part of the decor. 'Each object has a history, a presence. That's what ties everything together,' he reflects. 'Design, for me, is never just about aesthetics, it's about storytelling.' And so, in this white sculptural haven, Marcantonio continues to craft, dream, and play – surrounded by nature, memory, and the quiet, boundless space where art and life intertwine. For more information, go to
