Renowned for drawing upon the different histories of Rome within his work, architect and designer Achille Salvagni has found inspiration a little further afield for his latest furniture exhibition.
‘When you arrive in Pompeii, you are struck by the colours of the walls, mosaics and frescoes,’ says Rome-born Salvagni, recalling his visits to the archaeological site. ‘Even in their muted tones, they are beautiful and always remind me of spring.’ So taken was Salvagni by Pompeii’s faded palette of pale greens, earthy reds, burned oranges, blushes and blues, that he used it as the basis for a new themed exhibition which is set to be unveiled at Salvagni’s Mayfair space this week.
In particular, Salvagni’s eye was caught by the fresco on the Tomb of the Diver. ‘The simplicity of line of the diving figure makes it so relevant even now,’ he says. ‘I wanted to harness this incredible history of the rest of Pompeii and see how it could serve as a point of reference for a contemporary interior.’
‘Diomede’ by Achille Salvagni
Put together over a six month period, the assembly of furniture includes three new pieces alongside other updated designs from Salvagni’s existing collection of over 100 works. Each one is handmade by craftsmen in Rome who, before working on the Atelier’s fine furniture, were more accustomed to carrying out restoration work around the city. ‘I think the reason they [the craftsmen] enjoy this collaboration is the excitement about producing a contemporary work, but [also] using age-old artisanal methods,’ he muses.
New pieces include the ‘Gio Louro Faia’, a double door bar cabinet in lacewood with a polished and protected smooth brass top, inset gold handles and bronze legs. With its generous elongated seat upholstered in smooth velvet, the ‘Tato’ chaise joins Salvagni’s family of ‘ato’ armchairs, while other existing pieces, such as 'Bench', shown in an inviting grey astrakhan wool, have received Pompeii-inspired updates with new finishes, colours and fabrics.
Taking centre stage, the sculptural console table made from a swooping curve of cast bronze topped with a slab of Rosso Levanto marble is a new addition that Salvagni is particularly proud of. ‘We had to source the exact marble for “Diomede” until I was happy that it was the perfect fit,’ he says of the design, which is an homage to a neo-classical painting of Villa Diomede in Pompeii. ‘The stone is laid so bare in this piece that I needed to love every vein in the block of marble.’
'Gio Louro Faia' double-door bar cabinet in lacewood, with bronze and 24ct gold detailing, 2017
'Gio Louro Faia', 2017
The assembly of furniture includes three new pieces alongside other updated designs from Salvagni’s existing collection of over 100 works. Courtesy of Achille Salvagni Atelier
Each design has been handmade by local craftsmen in Rome. Courtesy of Achille Salvagni Atelier
Bench, 2017, with a European walnut structure and astrakham wool upholstery
The bench features subtle cast bronze detailing
Existing pieces have received Pompeii-inspired updates with new finishes, colours and fabrics. Courtesy of Achille Salvagni Atelier
INFORMATION
’Pompeii’ is on view from 10 March – 5 July. For more information, visit the Archille Salvagni website
ADDRESS
Achille Salvagni Atelier
12 Grafton Street
London W1S 4ER
-
Mexican designers show their metal at Gallery Collectional, Dubai‘Unearthing’ at Dubai’s Gallery Collectional sees Ewe Studio designers Manu Bañó and Héctor Esrawe celebrate Mexican craftsmanship with contemporary forms
-
At The Manner, New York has a highly fashionable new living roomThe Manner, a new hopsitality experience by Standard International in the heart of SoHo, triples up as a hotel, private residence, and members’ club
-
First look – Bottega Veneta and Flos release a special edition of the Model 600Gino Sarfatti’s fan favourite from 1966 is born again with Bottega Veneta’s signature treatments gracing its leather base
-
‘R for Repair’ at London Design Festival displays broken objects, re-formedIn the second half of a two-part exhibition and as part of London Design Festival 2022, ‘R for Repair’ at the V&A displays broken objects, re-formed
-
‘Finding quality through the act of making’: Pearson Lloyd celebrates 25 years of designPearson Lloyd’s show ‘Change Making’ reflects on past designs from its archives, showcasing the influences on and evolution of the studio, from furniture design to the NHS
-
Tom Dixon marks his studio's 20 years with a show of design experimentsMushroom, cork, steel coral and more: Tom Dixon showcases an overview of his design experiments as he celebrates his practice's 20 years
-
Porro unveils new London showroom at Coal OfficeLondon Design Festival 2022: industrial architecture meets pure geometries in the new Porro showroom, taking over a space within Tom Dixon’s Coal Office to showcase the brand’s systems and furniture
-
Vitra unveils new London home in the Tramshed, ShoreditchLondon Design Festival 2022: after a year-long renovation, Vitra opens the door to its new showroom in the heart of Shoreditch
-
Mudlarking beside the River Thames inspires The New Craftsmen’s makersLondon Design Festival 2022: The New Craftsmen’s new collection, ‘Claylarks’, features work from a group of creatives inspired by a River Thames mudlarking expedition
-
One tree, ten designers: SCP presents The One Tree Project at London Design FestivalLondon Design Festival 2022: SCP enlisted ten British designers to create furniture and objects from a felled ash tree from founder Sheridan Coakley's Hampshire garden
-
London Design Medals 2022London Design Medals 2022 are awarded to costume designer Sandy Powell, architect Indy Johar, researcher Joycelyn Longdon and photographer Sir Don McCullin
