Abode Abroad

The prestigious Rossana Orlandi Gallery made its debut at the Lake Como Design Festival, where it presented the art-design project LEWIT, a monumental bed sculpture that arose from a creative symbiosis between Draga & Aurel and eclectic architect Giuliano dell’Uva, in collaboration with the Italian textile company Somma1867.
The event took place in the fireplace room (Sala del Camino) of Villa Olmo, one of the lake’s most charming historical dwellings. LEWIT was showcased as a free-standing furnishing item designed and made as a three-dimensional artwork. It merged contemporary taste and aesthetics with explicit references to the artistic avant-garde of the 1960s and 70s.

Salvatori’s unwavering commitment to sustainability is further underscored by other creations like Lithoverde®, Romboo, Lost Stones, and the newly introduced Passepartout. These designs exemplify the company’s belief that elegance and environmental consciousness can coexist seamlessly. Patchwork stands as a tangible step towards a more sustainable future, aligning perfectly with Salvatori’s promise to prioritize the Earth’s natural resources.

Conceived specifically for Hoxton Rome, Contardi’s lamps skilfully deliver the mid-century modern style the designers wanted. The custom-made suspensions have a geometric structure with a dark bronze finish – in harmonious contrast with glass globes, as the dominant shapes that add a space-age touch to the environment.

My current favorites are the Sare Floor Lamp and the upcoming MetLife table. My favorite interior design project was a residential home in Bebek, Istanbul. I designed it during covid, and despite the dreary circumstances, I felt proud to create designs that reflect a more positive and fun world. That project makes me happy every time I see the images.

Gunawan defines herself as a progressive architect. When people hear the term progressive architect they get intimidated. In her experience, people assume it means something technical and lofty, but she stands by the term. It means always improving, turning failures into opportunities. In practice that means building upon what already exists. This is the philosophy behind the name of her architecture design and build firm, The Only Way is Up.