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    James Shaw installs jumbo foot in London Camper store

    British designer James Shaw has renovated a shop for fashion brand Camper on London’s Regent Street, which features a giant foot-shaped sculpture that functions as a till and a bench for trying on shoes.

    Located in a ground-level room within a building on Regent Street in central London, the store reopened last week.
    James Shaw has renovated the Camper store on Regent StreetShaw redesigned the interiors to reflect the Mallorcan heritage of Spanish footwear company Camper – a brand known for its bold and colourful creations.
    The designer constructed a 3.5-metre-tall sculpture in the shape of an oversized foot, which was covered in terracotta-hued wool and positioned on the shop floor.
    His design includes a jumbo footVisible from the street, the cartoon-like structure is multifunctional. It includes internal storage for products and a small booth that houses the till.

    Shoppers are also encouraged to perch on the jumbo toes while trying on shoes, making the foot a bench as well as a display unit.
    Shaw also created recycled plastic furniture”The foot is the key feature of our proposal. Somewhat surreal and unexpected yet fully connected to Camper’s sense of playfulness and whimsy,” said Shaw.
    “Reflected in the fully mirrored wall, it appears as a giant standing in the middle of the store.”
    Walnut was used to make display unitsThe designer, who works predominantly with recycled plastic, also created lumpy yellow shelving made from extruded slabs of the material, which – like the large foot – is reflected in the floor-to-ceiling mirror that makes up one of the walls.
    Shaw also combined his trademark gloopy plastic with walnut wood to create rounded stools, positioned underneath the yellow shelves.

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    On the opposite side of the room, the designer added smooth walnut display units mounted to the wall with twisted polished metal fixtures – also custom-made by Shaw.
    At the back of the store, shoppers can rest on geometric seating topped with textured mohair and clad in mirrored metal. The recognisable red Camper logo, positioned above the seating, was also reimagined with a Shaw-style, lumpy backdrop.
    The interiors are “a nod to mid-century modernism with a warped twist”Shaw created the store’s flooring using orange resin to match the colour of the large foot as well as the painted walls and ceiling, which are all finished in similar hues.
    The mix of materials is “a nod to mid-century modernism with a warped twist,” according to Camper.
    “Mediterranean roots are present in the colour scheme, where warm earthy tones meet shades of yellow and blue,” added the brand.
    Elsewhere, designer Jorge Penadés dressed a Málaga Camper shop with materials chosen to match the brand’s warehouse while architect Kengo Kuma created scalloped shelving out of concave ceramic tiles for a Barcelona branch.
    Shaw showcased pieces of his extruded recycled plastic furniture at the 2022 edition of London Design Festival in an installation he created with his partner, Lou Stoppard, that playfully explored tensions between couples who move in together.
    The photography is courtesy of Camper.

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    Colombian designers transform Bogotá townhouse for furniture exhibition

    Gallery NC Diseño has renovated a townhouse in Bogotá, commissioning 10 Colombian designers to redesign its bedrooms, kitchen and other spaces in different styles for an inaugural exhibition.

    NC Diseño features five floors, two of which contain previously uninhabited apartments renovated over three months for the opening Design House Colombia exhibit. It is located down the street from sister institution NC Arte studio in Bogotá.
    NC Diseño has opened an inaugural exhibit of collectible design in BogotáFor the exhibition, curator Mónica Barreneche commissioned 10 local designers and studios to select a room within the apartments to furnish with collectible design pieces, prompting each studio to design a space informed by personal experience.
    “For the first edition of Design House Colombia, the ten participating design studios were invited to delve into the typological significance that represents the space in which each one intervened,” said Barreneche.
    Martín Mendoza created a wood and steel studio clad informed by his father’s own officeThe brief was for the designers to connect personal experiences with the different spaces in the home.

    “As a result, each of them left an emotional imprint of what it means to connect with space,” said Barreneche.
    NC Diseño director Estefania Neme also added locally created art pieces to each space.
    Julián Molina of Refugio Arquitectura created a minimal kitchen with a custom illusionary tiled floorArchitect Martín Mendoza outfitted an office in chocolate-coloured wooden cladding by Woodbox Colombia and steel bookshelves by Guarida, illuminating the space with lighting by Alta Estudio and La Nuit as an homage to his father’s studio.
    “When I observe a studio, my mind immediately goes to the memory of my father’s studio. That space, for me, embodies the authentic meaning of intimacy and privacy. It’s a completely personal refuge,” said the designer.
    Mendoza filled the space with furniture of leather, steel and wood. A metallic-legged daybed topped with a woven leather cushion by his studio MM & Co was centred, while a steel desk by designer Daniela Duarte sat in a corner.
    Artwork by Julian Burgoss and charred-wood figures in the shape of books as well as stools by designer Camilo Andres Rodriguez Márquez complete the space.
    Estefania Neme centred a teddy bear wrapped in the Ikea Stockholm rug for a nurseryArchitect Julián Molina of Refugio Arquitectura outfitted a kitchen for the project, which will be the one permanent space in NC Diseño.
    The designer centred a large wood-and-steel island and placed an illuminated yellow shelving unit by design studio Octubre just above it.
    Jotaele Arquitectura created an “infinite” dining room with original wood panelingThe floor was clad in a custom black-and-white tile pattern by artist Ramon Laserna, which creates an optical illusion.
    Medellín-based designer David Del Valle created a minimal living room informed by his warm, plant-filled city, taking advantage of the views from the three arched windows in the room.
    Camila Buitrago Estudio and Granada Gárces Aquitectos created a bedroom cast in greyTwo scooped metal armchairs, placed at the centre of the room face the terrace and an amoeba-shaped bronze table was placed in between them.
    The El Secreto table was designed exclusively for the exhibit to pay homage to a Colombian national park.
    Moblar created a therapist’s office with a daybed at its centre and steel bookshelves”This table represents Colombia’s best-kept anthropological and territorial treasure; Chibiriquete National Natural Park. From its natural form to all the meaning it holds, this table narrates the mystique of this natural gem,” said Del Valle.
    Upstairs, a room curated by Neme brought together a number of designers for a nursery.
    Cruz de la Pava played created a “man cave” with a light that dims when visitors sit in a central armchairA rug created by Cosí and NC Diseño and informed by tatami mats consists of off-white patches sewn together with a colourful crocheted web.
    A crib by artists Colectivo Mangle was made of wooden slats that fan out from connection points on either end with geometric, yellow chairs by Jimena Londoño y José David del Portillo placed beside it.
    Basalto Studio filled a room with interchangeable totems and concentric chandeliersA giant teddy bear wrapped and emerging from Ikea’s popular Stockholm rug by artist Ivan Castiblanco was placed on the wall.
    “When children are surrounded by a friendly, creative, imaginative and happy environment, their behaviour is undoubtedly different, and they learn to take care of their environment and value themselves,” said Neme.

    Design House in Mexico City showcases local designers in mid-century home

    Jotaele Arquitectura created an “infinite” dining room, which included original wood panelling and chairs by Jaime Gutiérrez Lega upholstered in wool, and Cruz de la Pava played on the idea of a “man cave” where lights dim when visitors sit in a central armchair.
    Finally, Moblar created a therapist’s office, including a daybed and steel bookcases with curved profiles by the studio.
    Pedro Bermudez created a courtyard with a green metal screen and clay pots informed by the layers of Colombian soilOther spaces throughout the exhibition include a bedroom cast in an all-grey hue, including the floors, by Camila Buitrago Estudio and Granada Gárces Aquitectos; a room filled with interchangeable totems and concentric chandeliers by Basalto Studio; and terraces by designers Pedro Bermudez, Terreno Paisajismo and Menguante.
    Similarly, designers in Mexico City outfitted a whole house with custom interiors and furniture for Design Week Mexico.
    Elsewhere in Bogotá, Lorenzo Botero and Martín Mendoza created a brick-lined restaurant and Alsar Atelier and Oscar Zamora created a translucent fog catcher.
    The photography is by Monica Barreneche
    Design House Colombia is on show from November to 14 March in Bogotá. For more events, exhibitions and talks in architecture and design visit the Dezeen Events Guide. 

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    22RE invokes “stillness” inside green Miami golfing boutique

    Los Angeles studio 22RE has used pale-green stucco informed by Miami’s colours and golf courses for the interiors of a golf clothing boutique in the city.

    A few blocks from the ocean, the Malbon store in Coconut Grove serves a large customer base for the brand in South Florida – a popular golfing destination thanks to year-round warm weather.
    The Malbon Miami store revolves around a central area, from which handmade tiles emanate in a radial pattern across the floorThe verdant neighbourhood and Miami’s distinct architecture provided 22RE with a starting point to build upon, aiming to create a tranquil space amongst such vibrancy.
    “We intended to create an oasis within the city, one that invoked stillness – a feeling that Malbon customers are accustomed to while they’re out on the green,” 22RE founding principal Dean Levin told Dezeen.
    Pale green stucco covers the walls, columns and ceiling beamsThe store’s most striking feature is the pale green stucco that covers the majority of vertical surfaces and ceiling beams that form square archways overhead.

    “The shade of green used throughout the space was inspired by the studio’s first visit to the location, and inspired by the vibrant hues associated with Miami as a city,” said Levin.
    Merchandise is kept to the perimeter of the store, displayed on stainless steel rails and shelvesThe placid hue is contrasted with stainless steel elements including the sales counter and a doorway to the stock room.
    From the centre of the space, mid-grey handmade Mexican tiles are laid across the floor in a radial pattern, emanating from a circular plaque that displays the brand’s monogram.
    Filleted stucco surfaces contrast the aluminium open-cell grid ceilingA ring-shaped installation above, suspended from an aluminium open-cell grid ceiling, also bears the Malbon logo scribed repeatedly in white neon.
    Four columns and a pair of stainless steel benches define this central area, which is intentionally devoid of merchandise to create a moment for pause and conversation between customers.

    Virgil Abloh and AMO design flexible flagship Off-White store in Miami that “can host a runway show”

    Clothing and accessories are kept to the perimeter, displayed in illuminated niches on stainless steel rails or shelves.
    “In retail stores, there is a predominantly unchanging relationship between salesperson and customer,” Levin said. “We wanted to consider and account for the things we could – foot traffic, merchandising and general flow.”
    A pair of stainless steel benches offer a place for pause and conversation in the middle of the boutiqueBehind the street-facing windows, white stones cover the floors and plants so that the store “feels like a natural extension of the vegetation and foliage” in the surrounding area, said Levin.
    “Through juxtaposing a variety of different materials both organic and industrial, the Malbon Miami storefront is an accurate reflection of the values we celebrate and preserve as an architecture and design firm,” he added.
    The storefront contains greenery to create a natural extension of the verdant surroundings of Coconut GroveMiami has grown significantly as a retail destination over the past decade, with a large concentration of new luxury stores in the city’s Design District.
    Brands including Louis Vuitton, Off-White and Christian Louboutin all have distinctly designed outposts in the neighbourhood.
    The photography is by Erik Stackpole.

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    Seven playful living spaces where swings provide dynamic seating

    This lookbook compiles seven living spaces where swings show they have a place beyond children’s playgrounds by providing a gleeful alternative to static seating.

    Swings typically consist of a seat made from a flat piece of metal, plastic, wood or canvas, but can also be made from found materials such as tyres and sometimes feature a wraparound design for added safety.
    This seat is then suspended by sturdy lengths of rope or chain from a frame, ceiling or tree.
    Swings have been used for hundreds of years by cultures across the world for both leisure and ritual-related purposes, and are enjoyed by people of all ages, from children in play areas to older people who might have swinging benches in their gardens.
    From basic playground swings transplanted into grown-up interiors to intricately crafted bench swing seats that look out over lush courtyards, read on to view a selection of interiors on Dezeen that feature suspended seating.

    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring interiors animated by indoor slides, living spaces featuring metal furniture and spaces with oversized windows.
    Photo by Ishita SitwalaGujarat house, India, by Design ni Dukaan
    A wooden swing seat covered in pillows is suspended from the concrete ceiling of this house in the Indian state of Gujarat.
    The swing is situated in one of the house’s covered walkways and was positioned to allow the sitter to enjoy views of its open-air courtyard.
    Find out more about Gujarat house ›
    Photo by Jack HobhouseKenwood Lee House, UK, by Cousins & Cousins
    A cantilevered floating stair anchors a swing inside the hallway of this house in north London by local studio Cousins & Cousins.
    The wooden seat is suspended by softly frayed rope, creating a subtly rustic composition that compliments both the poured-concrete finish of the walls and the wood used on the ceiling, cabinets and front door.
    Find out more about Kenwood Lee House ›
    Photo by Yash R JainKarai, India, by Rain Studio
    Local office Rain Studio hung a polished wooden swing seat overlooking a verdant courtyard in this house near the city of Chennai in southern India.
    The seat is suspended from all four corners by ornately cast metal hooks and links, some of which feature animals such as elephants.
    Find out more about Karai ›
    Photo by Chase DanielAustin House, USA, by Melanie Raines
    Rustic Californian barns provided reference points for this house in Austin, Texas, which features a lofty double-height living space complete with multiple seating options.
    A metal-framed lounge chair flanked by integrated side tables is suspended from the ceiling’s wooden rafters by two long lengths of rope, adding to the interior’s whimsical atmosphere.
    Find out more about Austin house ›
    Photo by The Fishy ProjectThane apartment, India, by The Act of Quad
    Rigid metal uprights, each threaded with a cobalt-blue sphere, tie this swing seat in with the rest of the apartment’s blue-themed interior scheme, created by design studio Act of Quad.
    The seat is softened by a slim cushioned pad and has been attached to the ceiling with metal hardware.
    Find out more about Thane apartment ›
    Photo by Kevin ScottThe Perch, USA, by Chadbourne + Doss
    A pair of swings are strung up on the boundary between a covered entryway and a courtyard pond in this house in Seattle.
    The seats themselves were made from sheets of walnut timber and intended to provide the sitter with the experience of floating above the water.
    Find out more about The Perch ›
    Photo by BCDF studioParisian loft, France, by Isabelle Heilmann
    Hooks, carabiners and thick, knotted ropes affix this swing to the tall ceilings of this Parisian apartment’s living room.
    The suspended seat slots in comfortably with the rest of the eclectically-chosen furniture, including a mid-century cantilevered chair and a slouchy, ribbed sofa.
    Find out more about Parisian loft ›
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring interiors animated by indoor slides, living spaces featuring metal furniture and spaces with oversized windows.

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    FDA designs playful colour-block interiors for Italian seaside hotel

    Italian architecture office FDA has updated several guest rooms and suites at the family-friendly Hotel Haway on Italy’s Adriatic coast, introducing bespoke furniture in colours that evoke the sea and mountains.

    Fiorini D’Amico Architetti (FDA) was tasked with modernising the interiors of the 50-room hotel in Martinsicuro, a popular seaside resort in the Abruzzo region.
    FDA has updated the 1980s interiors of Hotel HawayThe first phase of the project involved refreshing rooms on the fifth floor of the 1980s building to make them more appealing for all sorts of families.
    “The main goal we wanted to achieve with the design of the new rooms was to create a unique space where guests can discover a new way of feeling at home,” said Alessio Fiorini, who founded FDA together with fellow architect Roberto D’Amico.
    The studio brought in colours of the nearby sea”The spaces emphasise the importance of being together, the joy of sharing happy moments and the refreshment that comes from a sense of community,” he added.

    The architects sought to inject a sense of creativity and surprise into the rooms by incorporating colourful bespoke elements such as bed frames, bunk beds and built-in furniture.
    Bespoke details include lozenge-shaped mirrors by PolvanesiHotel Haway has views of the sea as well as the nearby Apennines mountains, which led FDA to reference both of these features in its welcoming colour palette.
    Colour blocking was used to create visual separation between different zones within the rooms, where walls, floors, ceilings and furniture are finished in shades of blue or green.
    One of the custom-made elements in the sea-facing rooms is a double bed with a pull-out cot hidden underneath. A headboard that emerges from one side functions as a backrest so families can lounge together on the bed.

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    Some of the rooms feature bunk beds with curtains for privacy and guard rails incorporating playful tensioned bungee ropes in matching colours.
    Other bespoke details include vertical lozenge-shaped mirrors fabricated by Polvanesi – an industrial carpentry workshop and regular FDA collaborator.
    The lighting was designed to create different atmospheres throughout the day, with bright ambient lights for daytime play and more targeted task lighting for evening relaxation.
    Several of Hotel Haway’s rooms also feature a small deskThe en suite bathrooms are decorated with ceramic tiles featuring playful geometric patterns. High-quality fixtures and finishes including speckled Staron countertops bring these spaces up to modern standards.
    According to FDA, the rest of the hotel is set to be refurbished in a similar style over the next four years. The project will include the ground floor areas including the lobby and breakfast room, as well as all outdoor spaces and two top-floor suites with private terraces.
    Other Italian hotels that have recently been featured on Dezeen include a converted 12th-century monastery and a cliffside hotel that incorporates medieval stone defences.
    The photography is by Carlo Oriente.

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    Home Studios refreshes The Wren pub on New York’s Bowery

    Brooklyn-based Home Studios has remodelled a bar and restaurant in New York’s East Village, using dark wood and velvet seating to retain a “worn-in and aged appearance”.

    The Wren on the busy Bowery thoroughfare has become a neighbourhood staple since opening in 2012, but was ready for an interior revamp.
    The Wren has been remodelled in a way that retains its rustic charmHome Studios refreshed both levels of the upscale pub, including the upper-floor dining and drinking area, and private lounge downstairs.
    “Despite the changes in the city and the evolution of the neighbourhood, The Wren has maintained its timeless appeal, offering visitors a glimpse into the past and an authentic pub experience,” said Home Studios, led by founder Oliver Halsegrave.
    The L-shaped bar has a marble counter and is surrounded by GAR Products stoolsAcross the main level, dark and moody materials have been used to retain the pub-like quality of the spaces, assisted by the exposed wooden ceiling beams and columns, and hardwood floors.

    Either side of the entrance, black-painted, booth-style benches are installed against the walnut wall panelling, creating cosy nooks for pairs or small groups to occupy.
    Towards the back, a chocolate-coloured velvet banquette features ribbed cushionsThe bar area features an L-shaped marble counter surrounded by GAR Products stools, opposite black wainscoting that runs below vintage-looking wallpaper.
    Towards the back, a long banquette is dressed in ribbed cushions that form the seating and backrests, all wrapped in brown velvet.
    Custom mirrors alternate with disk-shaped sconces by In Common WithCustom arched shaped mirrors mounted on the walls alternate with disk-shaped sconces by In Common With, against a beige textured plaster backdrop.
    A variety of other sconces throughout were sourced from lighting brands including O’Lampia, Shades of Light, Allied Maker and Rejuvenation.
    Guests can choose from a variety of booths, two-tops or standing areas”With a worn-in and aged appearance, the space now exudes a moody winter-like atmosphere,” said Home Studios.
    Downstairs, the mood is even more “sultry” and intimate, thanks to darker surfaces and a variety of dim, warm lighting sources.

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    The bar counter is made from Black Portoro marble and the wood floors are also stained black, while the banquette upholstery is a lighter tone than found on the upper level.
    Between the two floors, guests can choose from a variety of seating or standing spots for enjoying their beers, cocktails and bar food.
    In the private area downstairs, the mood is more sultry and the banquette upholstery is lighter in colour”Home Studios has seamlessly blended nostalgic and rustic charm throughout The Wren’s interior, creating an inviting and distinctive ambiance that pays homage to the bar’s storied history,” said the team.
    Home Studios is no stranger to refreshing beloved establishments, having completed interiors for The Bird in Montauk and The Pearl in Nantucket.
    The downstairs area features dark-stained floors and a black marble bar counterThe firm also recently turned a conference centre in Northern California back into a luxury hotel, as originally intended by the property’s founder: the inventor of the radio.
    The photography is by Brian W Ferry.

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    Eight interiors illuminated by sculptural aesthetic lamps

    For our latest lookbook, we’ve collected eight interiors enhanced by aesthetic lamps including a 19th-century house in Stockholm and a retro-futuristic clothing store in Hangzhou.

    There is a growing trend for unusually sculptural and innovative lighting designs that don’t just light up an interior but also function as a piece of art.
    The examples below show characterful lamps used in commercial, hospitality and cultural interiors. But the same principle can also be applied to residential interiors for a similarly striking effect.
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring inviting breakfast nooks, homes with central courtyards and tranquil interiors with oversized windows.
    Photo by Franziska KrieckFilips Van Marnix House, Belgium, by Koen Van Guijze

    Belgian designer Koen Van Guijze showcased his characterful lighting designs inside the centuries-old Filips Van Marnix house in Antwerp.
    The exhibition included his ribbon-like Circuit lamp, above, which was on show in the main staircase where its modern, graphic shape contrasted against a marble statue.
    Find out more about Filips Van Marnix house ›
    Photo by Shao FengAudrey boutique, China, by Liang Architecture Studio
    The Audrey boutique in Hangzhou, China, has an industrial interior made from steel and micro cement. But large pyramidal lights add a striking futuristic touch to the austere surroundings.
    The lighting fixtures, which appear to pierce through the ceiling, are made from acrylic and change their colours regularly to light up the space, which Liang Architecture Studio designed to have a retro-futuristic feel.
    Find out more about Audrey boutique ›
    Photo by Alexandra Svärdh and Bosse LindSoft Serve lamp, Sweden, by Crème Atelier
    Stockholm design studio Crème Atelier created its Soft Serve lamp, which was shortlisted in the lighting design category of the Dezeen Awards last year, to resemble “swirly ice cream”.
    “We were very intrigued by the creamy organic shapes of meringue and soft serve ice cream,” co-founder Jacqueline Kessidis told Dezeen.
    The 3D-printed lamp comes in a variety of sorbet colours and is made from a bioplastic made from recycled food packaging.
    Find out more about the Soft Serve lamp ›
    Photo by Laure JolietWine and Eggs, US, by Adi Goodrich
    Located in the Atwater Village neighbourhood of Los Angeles, the Wine and Eggs grocery has an interior that nods to Parisian cafes and Italian tobacconists and features multiple fun and colourful details, such as a blue-and-green checkerboard floor.
    Custom-made lamps by designer Adi Goodrich reference the name of the store.
    “At the beginning of the project I knew I wanted the lights to look like a sunny-side-up egg,” Goodrich told Dezeen. “After designing some wiggly shapes, I landed at the stacked circle.”
    Find out more about Wine and Eggs ›

    Bakers House, Sweden, by Färg & Blanche
    A residence built in 1889, which belongs to the family of one of the Färg & Blanche founders, formed the background for this exhibition by the Swedish studio.
    Among the pieces showcased were bulbous lights that appear to be bound in brass strips. These were scattered over the home’s patterned parquet floors, creating a well-lit path up a winding staircase.
    Find out more about Bakers House ›

    Cafe Mollien, France, by Mathieu Lehanneur
    The cafe of the Louvre museum in Paris was given a renovation by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, who decorated the interior with pink acrylic light fixtures.
    The translucent lights create a modern contrast to the museum’s historic halls and were designed by Lehanneur as “three large pale-pink eggs” floating in space.
    Find out more about Cafe Mollien ›

    The Sensory Society, Denmark, by Helle Mardahl
    Bulbous glassware defines the work of Helle Mardahl, who started her career creating pastel-coloured glass objects.
    Since then, the Danish designer has expanded into lighting design, creating candy-like aesthetic lamps that were first showcased during design festival 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen, where they lit up a warm red hallway.
    Find out more about The Sensory Society ›

    Knuckle light, Sweden, by David Taylor
    Made by forcibly bending aluminium tubing, designer David Taylor’s Knuckle light has an industrial frame that is juxtaposed with oversized round white lightbulbs.
    “No two bends in the Knuckle series are alike,” the designer said. “Coercing metal into a form that it is specifically designed to resist is challenging at best.”
    Find out more about Knuckle light ›
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring inviting breakfast nooks, homes with central courtyards and tranquil interiors with oversized windows.

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    Erik Bratsberg fills Persona restaurant with tactile materials and own artworks

    Interior designer Erik Bratsberg has created unique artwork for the interior of the Persona restaurant in Stockholm, which also features asymmetrical terrazzo and patinated brass details.

    Bratsberg, who worked in finance before moving into interior design, wanted the fine dining restaurant in Stockholm’s upmarket Östermalm neighbourhood to have a warm and welcoming feel.
    Persona is located in Stockholm’s Östermalm area”The inspiration is drawn from a mix of personal experiences, subconscious imprints from admired styles, particularly mid-century Italian design, and a desire to integrate a homely warmth into a hospitality environment,” he told Dezeen.
    “The design philosophy centres around creating a timeless, inviting space that enhances the dining experience while maintaining a sense of personal touch and intimacy.”
    Green tones feature throughout the interiorGreen hues are used throughout Persona’s 120-square-metre interior, complementing its cream-coloured walls and numerous wooden furniture pieces and panelling.

    “Green is my go-to when I want to arouse a sense of calmness and comfort,” Bratsberg explained.
    Designer Erik Bratsberg used furniture pieces with rounded and organic shapes”It’s a tertiary colour, a mix of a cold and a warm colour, which allows it to go well with both warmer and colder hues and materials – a yin and yang of colours somehow,” he added.
    “Green also brings the mind to nature and I guess my love for green relates to the joy of seeing the leaves back on the trees after a long Swedish winter.”
    “Honey-tinted” oak shelving is filled with crockery and artThe restaurant, which feels more like a living room than an eatery in parts, also features plenty of natural materials such as stone and wood, which are interspersed with terrazzo and brass to create tactile interest.
    This material mix was chosen to evoke a sense of “casual elegance”, Bratsberg said.
    “For the floor I played around with the possibilities of terrazzo, using shades of green and warm greys and whites forming an asymmetrical pattern,” the designer explained.

    Note Design Studio creates “unexpected” restaurant in historic Stockholm food hall

    Bratsberg clad the walls of the Persona restaurant in an off-white plaster with a mottled surface, designed to contrast the “silky honey-tinted oak” used for the wall shelving and tables.
    “Patinated brass together with details in yellow ochre acts as an accent,” Bratsberg added. “Sheer curtains, patinated leather and textured textiles round it all off.”
    Bratsberg created his own artworks for the restaurantCustom-made abstract artworks also decorate the interior. Bratsberg made these himself from watercolour paintings that he had made, which were then screen-printed onto acoustic panels.
    “In my multidisciplinary practice I strive to interrelate my art, design and interior work – why not make a lamp into sculpture, or a bar front as a painting, or a plain wall a relief?” Bratsberg said.
    Cut-out geometric details add extra interest to the barAlso notable in the interior is the variation of shapes, with the angular tables and counters contrasting against round and jagged lamps, cut-out geometric details and smaller tables made from organically shaped burl wood and stone.
    “Perfectly straight lines and symmetry bring order and calmness for the eye, but never have I been particularly intrigued by squares and straight lines,” Bratsberg said.
    “On the other hand, too much asymmetrical geometries and organic shapes can bring the feeling of disorder. But balancing the two – as with many opposites or contrasts – can create an interesting harmony,” he added.
    The bathroom features undulating mirrors and a mix of different shapesIn the bathroom, undulating mirrors match a wavy sink and are juxtaposed against square wall niches and angled, jagged cut-out wall decorations.
    “Forms, lines, colours and materiality speak to us in mysterious ways, but an interior without any sculptural form and asymmetries is like a language without exclamation marks, gestures or emotional expression to me,” Bratsberg concluded.
    Other Stockholm restaurants with interesting interiors featured on Dezeen include an “unexpected” restaurant in a historic food hall and a decadent Italian restaurant located in a former cinema.
    The photography is by Erik Lefvander.

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