Colour – Our Picks
This year has thrown out a whole array of brights, and our favourite is the rich, exuberant indigo blue. Not only does it suit a fresh white scheme as a splash of colour, it also works well as a background for fresh textures and metallic’s such as copper and bronze sit very well on top … Continued
Anthony Stern Glass
On entering Anthony Stern’s glassblowing workshop, established some 30 years ago, we were warmly welcomed by Phil & Hayley and the BLASTING heat from the roaring furnaces’. As Hayley talked us through the process, we saw the buckets of recycled Dartington lead crystal glass chips, lined up to keep the furnace stocked up 365 days … Continued
How to: Leather & Fur
Winter is upon us and warmth comes to mind when designing homes and retail spaces. Although as designers we aim to design with all seasons in mind, certain materials feature more prevalently at this time of year. A little like a certain spread, people we meet either love or hate leather and fur. Aside … Continued
An interview with…
We were introduced to the creative mind of Abigail Edwards this year through seeing her original and imaginative styling for editorials. More recently she is breaking into the product market with wallpapers and soon, ceramics. Studying at the Wimbledon School for Art and Design, Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris and having worked in New York, … Continued
Design Festival 2013
Design Junction Walking through Design Junction is like exploring independent showrooms on the hidden streets of London – yet we are spoilt by three floors of original design and talent, and surrounded by a wonderful crowd of people, ending up at one of the few pop up bars along the way. Design Junction launched ‘lightjunction’ … Continued
Lighting report, Aug ’13
Here at Matteo Bianchi Studio we love lighting – with each project our lighting scheme is one of the key elements to good design. Whether it’s neat & recessed, adjustable, floor standing, pendants, wall recessed.. we’re enamoured. A few of our favourites this month are rounded up below, some of which are tried and tested, … Continued
New Unexpected Forms
Here at Matteo Bianchi Studio we are always creating and looking for original, quirky, and unusual designs that have the potential to become international design trends everywhere! This week we want to shine some light on materials like we’ve never seen before. We love pushing the boundaries of materials that can create new tactile experiences. … Continued
Trend report May: Milan ’13
Throughout the next few months Matteo Bianchi Studio will take you through prominent trends for 2013 straight from Milan From the 8th of April throughout the week at Salone del Mobile, the world famous and leading design week in Milan, Matteo Bianchi studio explored all there was to offer in the up and coming design … Continued
Colour comeback!
It may be cold outside but Design Week brightened up the mood with an array of colour. Goodbye grey For so long grey has dominated interior schemes (and skies) – it was the new biege. Our trip to Design Week was a breathe of fresh air as we were confronted with patterns and colours from each showroom. … Continued
February: Brands we love
Working on projects in London and Internationally, we do not only design and project full scale projects, we also source furniture for clients. We have large and varied library of designers we know and trust, which grows each month. These here are a few we have recently come to know and love – and specify … Continued
Discover & Deliver Interview
I am meeting today with Isabel Rutland, the Founder of Discover & Deliver at their headquarters full of energy and personality where a wonderful Labrador called Molly greets you as soon as walk in. The concept is genius — you spend a night in a beautifully-designed hotel or enjoy a nice meal in a … Continued
The world of Fornasetti
As an admirer of Fornasetti, having sourced their designs for projects, I visited their Milan showroom earlier on this year. It’s like going back in time and the staff are wonderful. The collection is displayed like fine crafts in a museum and the exceptional quality is there to see. The brand is unique; they are … Continued
Design Festival Report ’12
London Design Festival Report 2012 What a fantastic two weeks we’ve had in the city – crowned by the New York Times as the ‘Design Capital of the World’. London Design Festival was bigger than ever this year and we have been very busy between shows and events. The following is a round up of … Continued
James Balston interview
I’m here with James Balston at the W hotel in Leicester Square. James is a professional photographer and a good friend of ours. He has worked with us on many shoots as he specializes in interior photography. He has an impressive list of clients and regularly contributes to magazines and newspapers such as House & … Continued
Squint: Lisa Whatmough
Today we’re interviewing Lisa from Squint – the founder of what started as a small boutique on Redchurch Street in Shoreditch, which bodly emerged in 2005. Since then Squint has grown and are opening in Kensington. I have had the pleasure of working with Lisa on a couple of projects. She is a true professional … Continued
Surface Material: Tiles
Tiles are hard wearing, practical, versatile and with new technology can achieve many finishes and mimic textures and properties of other surfaces. We have compiled a brief summary and trend report on tiles to help you better understand the right tile for you. Stunning ‘Folded’ Tiles by Raw Edges Trends The most popular trend we’re … Continued
Christos Passas Interview
I am meeting today with a good friend of mine, Christos Passas. We are going to a hidden gem of a pub in Clekerwell for an informal interview.. Christos Passas has worked as a Senior Designer with Zaha Hadid since 1998 and has worked as a Project Manager on numerous projects. He has won many … Continued
Clerkenwell Design Week 2012
Clerkenwell is a buzzing and vibrant place during Design Week, designers and artists spilling out onto the streets enjoying a glass or two in the fantastic sunshine. The Familoe being the main hub and dramatic setting for some of our favourite product designers and a wonderful loft Gin Bar, as designed by a friend of … Continued
White Out by Faye Toogood
While wandering around the Milan furniture fair last week feeling a bit weary but as ever not wanting to miss out on anything, I suddenly found myself being drawn into a White circular tent within the MOST pavillon organized by Tom Dixon….. Once Inside the tent this very calm and serene atmosphere immediately hit me, … Continued
Milan Furniture Fair 2012
Wow! as always I was blown away by all the amazing designs I saw at the Milan Furniture fair… and so many!! I found the fair a bit less “grand” than last year but nonetheless inspiring and focused. Below is a short insight into my favorite pieces of bathroom design at Milan ’12 … I love these … Continued
Venice Boutique Hotel
The hotel was a damp, disused building in the heart of Venice that begged to be renovated. We wanted to create a unique haven for guests to stay in luxury. The reception area was transformed from dull and dated to warm, elegant and eclectic.
Carlton Estate Agents
The Estate Agents on Upper Street was a typical dated working space with suspended ceilings and busy, cluttered desks, whilst very unorganized and dark. The clients wanted a Fresh, Sophisticated and Inviting office with a good flow. This is a good example of how a good lighting scheme can really make a space that much better
Harrods
The concession space we transformed at Harrods was previously untidy, dark and didn’t do justice to the space around it in such a high end retailers. The French couture brand D.Porthault wanted an elegant, vibrant open space to display their linens.
Farringdon
When we first visited the loft apartment in Farringdon, we were greeted with sterile, basic fittings, all white walls – very cold. We transformed the space to be warm, contemporary yet with personality. The original features behind the walls were enhanced and functional lighting added heaps of atmosphere.
