At this year’s Salone del Mobile, that most sacred of design gatherings, we called the Wallpaper* flock to the Mediateca Santa Teresa, a deconsecrated church on Via della Moscova. And there did true believers, as well as the odd agnostic, enjoy intimate communion with spirit-lifting design and craft at its most transcendent.
This issue bears witness to the divine efforts of our various dynamic design duos and hastily assembled bands of brothers and sisters. From genesis to revelation, we pull back the veil on projects from the Bouroullecs, Tom Dixon, Kostas Murkudis, Sabine Marcelis, Conrad Shawcross, Matteo Thun, Doshi Levien and a multitude more. Here are fonts and sarcophagi, tools for meditation and mindfulness, settings for blessed beginnings and suitable send-offs, devotional fixtures and fittings, and simple, elegantly austere sanctuaries for the modern soul.
‘The Portal’, by Snøhetta, Erik Jørgensen Møbelfabrik and Everything Elevated, for Wallpaper* Handmade
In all, and rare, seriousness, we hope the spirit of this year’s Handmade exhibition, and this issue, is one of calm reflection and communion, entirely inclusive and strictly non-denominational. Salone and Handmade are truly global events, celebrations of cross-border collaboration and friendships forged in the creative act. They recognise that we can still at least hope to make the world, in small ways perhaps, a more civilised and lovely place to be.
Onwards and upwards!
Tony Chambers, Editor-in-Chief
As originally featured in the August 2017 issue of Wallpaper* (W*221)
'Holy Handmade!' Signet-Ring Seal, by Rebus. Photography: Paul Zak
Ten Commandments of Science, by Yves Béhar, scribed by Paul Antonio Scribe. Photography: Máté Moro
From left to right, Niels Jørgensen of Erik Jørgensen Møbelfabrik, Stian Alessaandro Ekkernes Rossi of Snøhetta, and Marius Myking and Martin Nichols of Everything Elevated with ‘The Portal’ outside Erik Jørgensen’s HA in Pakhus 48. Photography: Jan Søndergaard
Paper Factor founder Riccardo Cavaciocchini in his Lecce workshop, holding the Tom Dixon-designed sustainable sarcophagus. Photography: Bea De Giacomo
Sabine Marcelis and Made a Mano create a volcanic altar as a celebratory centerpiece. Photography: Danilo Scarpati
Blocks of lava stone outside the Made a Mano workshop in Naples, during the making of the volcanic altar. Photography: Danilo Scarpati
Fashion designer Craig Green with his black and multicoloured ceremonial rugs. Photography: Roger Dekker
At Lesage Intérieurs’ workshops in Chennai, Kvadrat’s ‘Time 300’ fabric was stretched on a giant wooden loom held in place with straps. Photography: Mark Hartman
The ‘Immaculate Care’ case, by Matteo Thun & Partners and Ermenegildo Zegna. Photography: Máté Moro
The ‘Treasure Box’ by RDAI and Lanserring is perfect for holding small valuable items. Photography: William Bunce
The ‘Dig Deep’ offertory bag by Jamie Fobert Architects and Studioart envelops the arm, becoming a seamless extension of the body. Photography: Máté Moro
Sebastian Herkner, Lobmeyr and FOA create five glass vessels which are engraved with botanical drawings. Photography: Phillippe Fragnière
Tom Dixon and Paper factor's 'Sustainable sarcophagus' combines the afterlife aesthetic of Ancient Egypt and innovative paper-based materials. Photography: Leandro Farina
Bloc Studios and Haeckel's series of geometric marble diffusers hold calming fragranced oils. Photography: Leandro Farina
INFORMATION
The August 2017 issue of Wallpaper* is out now. Subscribe here
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The Sialia 45 cruiser is a welcome addition to the new generation of electric boatsPolish shipbuilder Sialia Yachts has launched the Sialia 45, a 14m all-electric cruiser for silent running
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Tokyo design studio We+ transforms microalgae into coloursCould microalgae be the sustainable pigment of the future? A Japanese research project investigates
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What to see at London Craft Week 2025With London Craft Week just around the corner, Wallpaper* rounds up the must-see moments from this year’s programme
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Ceramics brand Mutina stages a poetic tribute to everyday objectsDesign meets art as a new Mutina exhibition in Italy reframes the beauty of domestic stillness, juxtaposing ceramics, sculpture, paintings and photography
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SolidNature and Sabine Marcelis make a splash with ‘The Vondel Fountain, Stacked’ in AmsterdamWe see stone company SolidNature’s fountain unveiled during Amsterdam Fashion Week, and speak to its CEO learn about the brand’s past and future
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Sabine Marcelis unveils new burgundy Lava LampSabine Marcelis designs a new burgundy Lava Lamp for Mathmos, her second design for the brand, initially imagined for the designer's VitraHaus interiors and available as a limited edition from October 2024
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Sabine Marcelis' colourful overhaul of VitraHaus is so delicious you'll wish you could move inSabine Marcelis brings elements from her own home to the interiors of the VitraHaus Loft, including a pink bathroom and mint green conversation pit
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Sabine Marcelis' new 1000 Miglia trophy ‘celebrates the deep and lasting bond between pilot and co-pilot’1000 Miglia 2024 features trophies and medals by Sabine Marcelis in collaboration with Brescia's Palazzo Monti, as the week-long vintage car race crosses the finishing line on Sunday 15 June
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Casa Mutina displays Ronan Bouroullec's creative universeRonan Bouroullec's designs for Mutina at Milan Design Week 2024 include outdoor tiles as well as ceramic editions
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Ronan Bouroullec exhibition at Centre Pompidou features ceramics and amorphous ink drawingsCentre Pompidou hosts Ronan Bouroullec's decorative designs, reflecting the designer's ongoing explorations of form and function (until 23 September 2024)
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Deep’s Exopack by Sabine Marcelis helps scientists study insects without harming themExopack is a biodiversity project developed with designer Sabine Marcelis, supporting the research of undiscovered and critically endangered insects in the Amazon
