Milanese artist Piero Fornasetti was a jack of many trades: painter, sculptor, interior decorator and engraver - and the rare master of all. These days it is his son Barnaba who faithfully maintains the legacy of the prolific designer, who would have turned 100 years old this year. British wallpaper crafters Cole and Son are marking the occasion by opening the door to Fornasetti's whimsical world once again with a new offering of prints.
Launched at this year's Maison et Objet fair, Fornasetti II includes quirky patterns incorporating saucer-eyed owls, clouds, flying machines, monkeys and classical architectural details - many of which appear for the first time in new colourways. A series of trompe-l'oeils are also amongst the ever-eccentric motifs resurrected from the designer's archives, which can be used both vertically and horizontally.
'Procuratie' (left) is based on the classical arches on the façades of St Marks Square in Venice; 'Pennini' features an assortment of old-fashioned pen nibs in burnished metallics
'Magia Domestica' creates the illusion of a world within a world, with its suit of armour, bookcases, open door and drawn curtains
Clownfish appeared in some of Fornasetti's earliest work and are revived here in 'Acquario' against a soft-wash charcoal background
Designed to be hung horizontally along the bottom of a wall, 'Balaustra' creates a trompe-l'oeil effect of a stone balustrade
'Promenade' features umbrellas, riding whips and walking sticks collected by Piero Fornasetti
-
Meet the Palestinian artist putting a candy-coloured twist on traditional glassmakingWith her company Ornamental by Lameice, designer Lameice Abu Aker is bringing joy and optimism to a time-honoured craft
-
Messika’s fluid jewellery is given a textural twistThe Parisian brand borrows a textural finish previously reserved for high jewellery with its new collection, ‘Move Ciselé’
-
This ingenious London office expansion was built in an on-site workshopNew Wave London and Thomas-McBrien Architects make a splash with this glulam extension built in the very studio it sought to transform. Here's how they did it
-
Our highlights from Paris Design Week 2025Wallpaper*’s Head of Interiors, Olly Mason, joined the throngs of industry insiders attending the week’s events; here’s what she saw (and liked) at Paris Déco Off and Maison&Objet in the City
-
Pig intestines, plant roots and Balinese river plastic – young designers get inventive at Maison & ObjetAt the September 2024 Maison & Objet, a cohort of younger designers exploring new materials brought an optimistic edge to the commercial fairground
-
Super Pacific: Maison et Objet announce Rising Asian Talents winners
