Category: Design

In Paris’s 4th arrondissement near the historic Place de Bastille, a renovation has taken place within the prestigious Hotel de Sagonne. Originally conceived in 1668 by Jules Hardouin-Mansart as his private residence, this Baroque structure has undergone several transformations over the years, including its conversion into multiple apartments in the mid-20th century. Wood Marsh is at the head of the latest intervention in one of these units offering a unique reinterpretation of the space, merging the rich history of the building with contemporary design principles.

The Hotel de Sagonne is an architectural treasure protected by strict heritage regulations. As such, any modifications must undergo rigorous scrutiny to ensure the preservation of its historical essence. In this renovation, Wood Marsh has navigated these constraints, honoring the building’s storied past while integrating modern elements to create a living space that feels both timeless and fresh. The approach carefully balances the restoration of original details with the removal of mid-20th century alterations, providing a new canvas for contemporary living without erasing the apartment’s heritage character.

One of the defining features of this renovated apartment is its careful curation of art and design. The client’s extensive collection of Australian and international artworks, including digital installations seamlessly integrated into the walls, adds a dynamic layer to the home’s atmosphere. European furnishings are thoughtfully chosen to complement the artworks, enhancing the visual harmony of the interior.

The formal dining room serves as the focal point of the apartment, a space that bridges the transition between different areas. The room’s salmon-colored walls draw inspiration from the Baroque motifs found in the original moldings, while a custom chandelier by Nathalie Ziegler Pasqua adds a sense of grandeur. A cleverly hidden bar, cloaked in magenta mirror, adds an unexpected element of vibrancy and fun to the room.

A restrained color palette dominated by whites, accented with soft organic tones, permeates much of the apartment. This approach brings warmth and cohesion to the space, while new wood floors unify the flooring, eliminating inconsistencies from previous renovations. The living room, with its gentle beige tones and pastel artwork, exemplifies the calm and inviting environment created through this sensitive use of color.

In stark contrast, the kitchen is a bold statement of modern, minimalist design. With its black wood finishes and nero marquina marble surfaces, the space takes on a sculptural quality. Integrated appliances and hidden details contribute to a clean, geometric look, with a central niche providing symmetry and focus. The informal dining area and framed artworks add a personal touch to the sophisticated space.

The study, painted in charcoal hues, creates a sense of intimacy and seclusion, offering a quiet retreat between the more public living areas and the private primary suite. The use of darker tones here adds depth and contrast, making it an ideal space for reflection or quiet work.

The primary bedroom itself is a serene sanctuary where the bed serves as a dramatic central feature. The ensuite bathroom, with its sleek white marble finish, showcases innovative use of lightweight materials, perfectly suited for an older structure with limited support capacity.

For more information on Wood Marsh, head to woodmarsh.com.au.

Photography by Tommaso Sartori.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

Studio Arp’s leather-like material is made from orange peels

Interdisciplinary practitioner Alkesh Parmar, founder of Studio Arp, repurposes orange peel waste into sustainable materials in the Citrus Sinensis project. Incorporating traditional craftsmanship and low-tech processes, the studio explores themes of migration, colonialism, and decentralized design. Showcased at the Material Matters Fair during the London Design Festival, this project includes lighting, objects, and artworks. The work highlights the passing down of craftsmanship through generations and promotes environmental sustainability by maximizing natural resources, drawing on the origins of the orange from the Himalayan foothills.

Through his innovative process, APeel, Parmar transforms waste citrus peel into a versatile material with a wide range of applications. In a crucial phase before the orange peel dries, it becomes pliable like leather, allowing it to be molded and crafted. This leather-like quality varies depending on the citrus type and its environment, making the process adaptable and sustainable. Low-tech craft techniques emphasize the potential of local materials, challenging conventional Western design practices.

all images by Stone Stuart courtesy of Studio Arp, unless stated otherwise

Citrus Sinensis encourages people to reconnect with materials

Studio Arp’s work delves into the concept of dematerializing design, reducing the reliance on industrial processes while encouraging a sustainable and localized approach. By repurposing materials, the London-based studio fosters a deeper connection between people and their immediate surroundings, encouraging them to reconsider their relationship with materials and production methods.

A British-Indian designer and educator, Parmar draws from his family’s lineage of makers within the Hindu Mochi caste, integrating notions of repair and repurposing into his practice. His studio, ARP, combines craft techniques with social and slow-tech design thinking, pushing the boundaries of material research to create composites, fabrics, and cards from orange rind without straining additional resources. As a tutor at the Royal College of Art, he leads discussions on decarbonizing practice, critical making, and decolonizing design.

Alkesh Parmar, founder of Studio Arp, repurposes waste orange peels into sustainable materials

traditional craftsmanship and low-tech processes explore themes of migration and decentralized design

Showcased at the Material Matters Fair during the London Design Festival

Citrus Sinensis includes lighting, objects, and artworks

Could you walk us through your creative process? Do you design every detail in advance, or is there room for experimentation during the making process?

Once we come up with an idea, our design team begins work on it to create a prototype which is then refined. This usually involves a lot of experimentation and can be a very long process, but the process definitely benefits from all elements of the supply chain being under the same roof, within the Karkhana.

How would you describe the evolution of your aesthetic since launching your career as a designer over 20 years ago?

When we first started, we were among the pioneers of a new design vernacular—‘India Modern’. We looked at different references from Indian architecture, culture and heritage, references from historic paintings and common symbols such as peacocks and lotuses. We created modern interpretations of these things and with that a new story, that was contemporary but still at its heart, Indian.

Today, almost 20 years later, we work with international architects and designers. Our aesthetic has evolved into something much more contemporary, organic, and abstract, driven by creative curiosity and innovation. Rather than the Indian identity defining an aesthetic and technique, it now guides the technique but not the aesthetic. It’s a seismic shift.

In a time where mental health and wellness have taken center stage, the architectural world has increasingly turned toward creating spaces that nurture the mind and soul. Playpod Sanctuary, designed by studio Bean Buro, stands as a beacon of this philosophy. Nestled in the scenic mountains of Hong Kong’s Tuen Mun district, this three-story residence balances functionality with emotional healing, crafting a serene environment for a family of four.

Drawing inspiration from the iconic post-impressionist painter Paul Cézanne, Bean Buro’s vision reflects the tranquil beauty of Provence – the region immortalized by Cézanne’s canvases. The gentle greenery and serene landscapes of the French countryside are reimagined in a modern design that blends natural materials, calming hues, and playful shapes. The creative duo behind the studio, Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui and Lorène Faure, embraced the essence of Cézanne’s work, using his vision of nature to infuse the home with a sense of peace and lightness.

The design of Playpod Sanctuary goes beyond aesthetics, prioritizing the psychological and emotional needs of its inhabitants. Understanding the importance of mental health, especially in a post-pandemic context, the studio focused on crafting a space that would serve as both a functional home and a mental retreat. The layout is thoughtfully divided into private, semi-private, and public zones, encouraging both family connection and personal solitude when needed. The home features a rooftop terrace and spacious living areas that foster interactions while respecting individual privacy.

The design process was marked by close collaboration with the family, ensuring that the end result catered not only to their practical needs but also to their emotional well-being. Intensive design meetings allowed the family to actively participate in shaping the space, exploring creative solutions that would support their daily routines and lifestyle. This collaborative approach gave rise to unique, multifunctional spaces such as a welcoming lounge area for guests and dynamic play zones for the children.

Aesthetically, the home embraces nature, with materials like natural wood, green accents, and custom-designed furniture blending into a cohesive palette. These elements were carefully selected to foster a soothing environment, while durable and functional materials like terrazzo flooring add a layer of playful practicality to high-traffic areas like the kitchen and entrance.

Lighting, acoustics, and material choices were meticulously designed to heighten sensory comfort. Lighting systems were chosen to offer different levels of warmth and brightness, creating flexible atmospheres that respond to the changing needs of the family. Acoustic partitions were integrated to maintain peace and quiet, crucial for a mentally restorative space.

Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui and Lorène Faure of Bean Buro

For more projects from Bean Buro, head to beanburo.com.

Photography by Steven Ko.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

rooydaad architects turns istanbul apartment into a workspace

Rooydaad Architects unveils an office space for Faro Trading Company, located in a residential apartment in Istanbul’s Kadıköy district. The Tehran-based design team uses acrylic sheets, a material chosen for its transparency and capacity to foster an inviting and open atmosphere, aligning with the client’s needs. Intended as the CEO’s personal office and primary meeting area, the project transforms a dimly lit, disjointed apartment into a semi-transparent environment. To enhance spatial fluidity, the design organizes functional elements along the Y-axis, integrating shelves, drawers, kitchen cupboards, and window treatments into a linear, translucent layer that opens up the space. The X-axis features acrylic dividers that create open cells, each accommodating specific functions.

A central, substantial object anchors the design, serving as a pivotal element that divides the room and establishes a clear sense of orientation. This bold presence creates front, back, and side delineations, providing structure amid the floating elements. The result is a four-dimensional office that invites exploration and interaction, with the fluid movement of its occupants revealing the full experience of Faro over time. 

all images courtesy of Rooydaad Architects

non-architectural elements blur faro’s functional boundaries

The initial challenge Rooydaad Architects faced was addressing the apartment’s layout, which included a dark corridor leading to interconnected rooms that evoked discomfort in visitors. To overcome this, the Iranian firm employed three strategies. First, acrylic sheets were used to enhance spatial transparency and invite openness. Second, a semi-open workspace was created, offering the CEO of Faro a private yet accessible area for meetings. Circulation is facilitated through an open-access corridor with flexible, translucent partitions that encourage movement and interaction among the office’s various areas. Finally, non-architectural elements were incorporated to define spaces and blur functional boundaries, introducing an ambiance of public art within the office. 

Rooydaad Architects unveils an office space for Faro Trading Company

located in a residential apartment in Istanbul’s Kadıköy district

acrylic sheets are chosen for their transparency and capacity to foster an inviting and open atmosphere

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX245HBvjcc[/embed]

Moving beyond traditional mediums, we were particularly impressed by the work of Yiannis Stempilis and Olga Migliaressi-Phoca. Drawing on his background as a jewellery designer, Stempilis creates collage-like artworks from various metal sheets, including zinc, bronze, copper, and brass, which he carves, oxidizes, and sometimes burns. As even the slightest mistake can be catastrophic, each piece requires at least two months to complete. This is exemplified by his work "Three Metals and the Blue Caribbean Girl", showcased at Αrt Zone 42's booth, where the figure of a woman is meticulously formed by stamping countless points onto the metal sheets.

At The Breeder’s space, the mirrored artworks of Olga Migliaressi-Phoca captivated visitors with their large-scale dimensions, ever-changing reflections, and caustic humour—playfully riffing on VOGUE magazine covers as part of her 12-piece installation "The Future is Vague / 2023". Meticulously crafted through a labour-intensive process involving bleaching, scratching, and painting, these fictional covers critically examine consumer desire, surveillance, and the challenges of self-definition in isolation, revealing the profound impact of commercial influences on our perceptions. Complementing Migliaressi-Phoca’s work were sculptural pieces by Panos Profitis, this year’s recipient of the Art Athina’s Emerging Artist Award.

Additional artists working with unconventional materials who struck a chord include Maria Efstathiou, whose porcelain series of paper-thin panels incredibly resemble creased or folded pieces of paper (Eleftheria Tseliou Gallery),and  Christina Mitrentse, who used vintage books to create her “Fungi Classification” tableau and fungi-shaped stools (CITRONNE Gallery).

We also singled out artist duo Kalos&Klio, whose “On the Tapis” series of handwoven rugs and textiles (Kalfayan Galleries) intertwines global socio-political themes, ancient archetypes, and modern symbols to explore issues of oppression and freedom, and Brazilian artist Vik Muniz’s kaleidoscopic collage "Women on the Bank of the Seine, after Courbet, after Picasso" (XIPPAS). A homage to Picasso’s famous painting, and part of his "Surfaces" series, Muniz's work was composed of multiple layers of photographic images of painted surfaces, prompting viewers to question their relationship with art in an era dominated by digital mediation.

Nestled within the streets of Le Marais, a jewel of Parisian heritage has been reborn. The newly renovated top-floor pied-à-terre is perched within a 17th-century building, weaving a tapestry of time-honored elegance with contemporary sophistication. The past and present are blurred as one travels throughout the property – exposed beams and a stone fireplace date back to 1660, followed by an 18th-century entrance adorned with intricate ironwork. Designer Lichelle Silvestry used the building’s historical character as a canvas for modern prose, emphasizing natural materials such as wood, linen, and marble.

A large jute rug and a custom linen sofa anchor the living space, complemented by a walnut coffee table from The Invisible Collection. Furniture selections like the by Lassen armchair and the Cassina Utrecht chair frame the room’s centerpiece, a restored 18th-century mirror sourced from a local antique market. Silvestry also custom-built a low storage unit to maximize functionality, paired with artwork by Spanish artist Javier Torres, creating a harmonious blend of art and design.

“The objective was to create a serene and natural atmosphere, taking cues from the building’s delightful environment and celebrating features such as the old oak entrance door, ironwork, terracotta tiles, wood beam ceiling, plasterwork, stone flooring, and the lovely greenery and brown hues of the courtyard,” says Silvestry. “The home exudes a contemporary yet timeless allure, perfectly balancing authenticity with subtle modernity. I focused on enhancing the home’s original elements and bringing the outdoor atmosphere indoors, for example, we used light neutral paints to draw attention to the surroundings and incorporated the same rich, earthy hues to create a coherent, cozy, inviting feel.”

The kitchen, once the grand entrance, now stands as a culinary haven. Farrow and Ball-painted cabinetry and a distinguished Lacanche stove mingle with Calacatta marble and unlacquered brass, their dialogue mediated by an imposing oak dining table completed alongside a set of Carl Hansen & Søn Wishbone chairs. The primary bedroom offers a serene retreat, with muted tones that enhance the view of the private courtyard. A silk-mix rug and a vintage Venini chandelier add subtle luxury, while modern furniture selections, including a sheepskin settee and a Fontana Arte floor lamp, maintain clean lines.

For more information on Lichelle Silvestry, visit lichellesilvestry.com.

Photography by Heidi Jean Feldman.

Leo Lei translates his passion for minimalism into his daily-updated blog Leibal. In addition, you can find uniquely designed minimalist objects and furniture at the Leibal Store.