Every space I design holds a captivating story and for me, craftsmanship is the language of storytelling. Throughout my life, I have been deeply moved by the power of design to evoke emotions and create meaningful connections. Growing up in India, I was immersed in a vibrant tapestry of colours and cultures, where craftsmanship thrived. From religious festivals to the bustling streets, the artistry and skill of local craftspeople was everywhere.
It is this rich heritage that continues to inspire my approach to interior design. I seek out talented artisans and artists who can help me weave narratives into my projects. Whether it’s a hidden gem or an established talent, I embark on a journey to find those exceptional individuals who share my passion for creating something extraordinary. In my pursuit of meaningful design, I recently founded Curio, a platform dedicated to unearthing beautiful furniture, lighting, accessories, and art. These pieces serve as a celebration of human creativity and offer a profound counterpoint to our throwaway culture.
They are more than objects; they are heirlooms that will carry forward their stories through generations. Through Curio and my design practice, I aim to cultivate spaces that not only reflect individuality but also connect on a deeper, emotional level. Each piece I source, each artisan I collaborate with, adds layers of authenticity and soul to the spaces we create. It is my belief that by curating narratives through handcrafted items, we can transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences.
The platform brings together the work of makers, designers and artists from across the globe who share a passion to experiment with materiality and technique. A great example of this is designer Nada Debs. Describing her work as “handmade and heartmade” her approach to design combines form, function and feeling, whilst celebrating Middle Eastern craft. I love the way she uses materials and traditional techniques to tell a story, as each product highlights the incredible ability of human hands.
Studio Nada Debs
Similarly, India-based lighting designers Klove Studio combine indigenous knowledge with contemporary practice. Employing age-old glass blowing techniques, the studio champions artisanal craftsmanship and local supply chains, with inspiration for their collections coming from sources as diverse as Indian temples, shamanic totems and the light of the Nordic region. Their unique sculptural lighting pieces play with reflection and geometry in such interesting ways.
Klove Studio
Also based in India is design studio, Scarlet Splendour, working with some of the world’s leading designers to create extraordinary collections of luxury furniture, lighting and accessories, whose maximalist designs are handcrafted by the finest Indian artisans. Founded by siblings, Ashish Bajoria and Suman Kanodia, their childhood in metropolitan and multicultural Kolkata influenced their internationalist attitude, blending cultures with talented global designers. The result is distinctive and bold pieces that inject personality into any interior.
Scarlet Splendor
The purpose of Curio is to make it much easier to find and enjoy these amazing but little known makers, and in doing so, also help preserve their skills. Ane Christensen is the perfect example of an expert in her craft field; a silversmith by trade, Ane’s metalwork results in striking designs that contrast strength and fragility. Exploring a variety of different metals, she utilises this material using traditional techniques such as hand piercing, drilling and soldering, resulting in spectacular bowls and sculptural art.
Ane Christensen
Other masters with materials are Greek designers on.entropy, who explore both the character and capability of the archetypal Greek material, marble. Challenging the perception of Greek marble tradition, the studio produces intricate and delicate sculptures, evolving stereotypically heavy and compact qualities in a contemporary way. Their furniture and lighting pieces carry the story of millennia in their veins.
on.entropy
Equally inspired by age old tradition are Italian glass designers, Casarialto. Built upon centuries of Venetian expertise, each Casarialto glass creation is blown and finished by hand by Murano glass masters. The handmade nature of the products means each is totally unique, which can sometimes be identified from slight differences in markings. From jugs and glasses to vases, each piece is a colourful work of art, combining tradition, innovation and Italian craftsmanship.
Casarialto
Curio is the platform that I so often wished existed: a place where it is possible not only to source beautifully crafted accents for more artful interiors, but also to explore the stories and get to know the creative talents behind them. Our mission is to bring new communities of makers, aesthetes and creative patrons together to celebrate human creativity and craftsmanship. In doing so, we hope to preserve and safeguard these precious skills for the future.
Words by: Shalini Misra
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Image caption, harmoniously combine two usually distinct indulgences
The link between the two main areas, the one closest to the entryway with the bar counter and lounge and the one at the rear reserved for aesthetic treatments, is a decorative feature with a great scenic impact: a series of deep blue glass portals guides the gaze towards the beauty area, giving the space perspective depth and a theatrical feel. This liminal space also houses the boutique and the facial bar, functions that will cater for a passing public and have faster times than the more complex treatments, as well as delineating the perimeter of the two lounges. “The management of flows and technical spaces,” the architects tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.” cts tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.”The link between the two main areas, the one closest to the entryway with the bar counter and lounge and the one at the rear reserved for aesthetic treatments, is a decorative feature with a great scenic impact: a series of deep blue glass portals guides the gaze towards the beauty area, giving the space perspective depth and a theatrical feel. This liminal space also houses the boutique and the facial bar, functions that will cater for a passing public and have faster times than the more complex treatments, as well as delineating the perimeter of the two lounges. “The management of flows and technical spaces,” the architects tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.” cts tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.”
The link between the two main areas, the one closest to the entryway with the bar counter and lounge and the one at the rear reserved for aesthetic treatments, is a decorative feature with a great scenic impact: a series of deep blue glass portals guides the gaze towards the beauty area, giving the space perspective depth and a theatrical feel. This liminal space also houses the boutique and the facial bar, functions that will cater for a passing public and have faster times than the more complex treatments, as well as delineating the perimeter of the two lounges. “The management of flows and technical spaces,” the architects tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.” cts tell us, “was especially complex. The brief for both Ballard & Fant’s identities were quite specific and binding, so the phases of the choice of space and the layouts of the areas were the most challenging points in the whole project.”
Image caption, harmoniously combine two usually distinct indulgences
The choice of materials and finishes was in keeping with this chromatic landscape. “Through the moodboard we visualized the allure of the space,” explains Pennesi. “An interplay of alternations between more or less tactile surface textures, contrasting colors and opaque and translucent finishes that create intriguing peep-through effects.”
This led to the choice of stoneware tiles by Ceramica Sant’Agostino, which deck the floors and bar counter with their dense and uniform speckled pattern and bind together the different areas into which the space is divided, wth laminates from Arpa Industriale and Kaindl, used respectively for the support surfaces and the structures of the bespoke furnishings.
“We chose these materials for both aesthetic and functional reasons. Aesthetic because this type of semi-finished product has color ranges that enabled us to make choices consistent with the palette we created; and practical because they are wearproof materials and ensure easy sanitization. In particular, Fenix, a special laminate we used to coat the counter top, with a surface that has a non-porous outer layer, makes the material easy to clean and suitable for contact with food as well as fingerprint-proof and pleasant to the touch.”
Even the lighting was curated in detail, helping create a pleasant and richly detailed environment. Bellhop cordless table lamps designed by Barber & Osgerby for Flos, illuminate the tables with their discreet light. Suspended above the bar counter is a spectacular suspension composition created with a series of “leaves” in Diphy polycarbonate. Designed by Mirco Crosatto for Stilnovo, it was inspired by a fascinating Japanese plant, whose flowers turn as transparent as crystal in contact with water.
