We sit down with Arabella Bassadone, founder of interior design studio Maison Arabella, to talk about Objets for the home, her new furniture and accessory designs.
When Arabella Bassadone left her role at top design firm Candy & Candy in 2016 to set up her own studio, she did so with one clear vision in mind. To create homes and shared spaces with originality, personality and that capture the attitude of an individual or the essence of an enterprise, enabling self-expression.
In three years, she has several successful international projects under her belt and the studio continues to grow. So its no wonder that Arabella turned her hand to her next great challenge, creating expertly crafted Objets for the home that communicate her design ethos and flair.
“The home Objets were a natural progression into product design” she explains, “because in the interior design process we customise furniture in order to ensure a unique result that is tailored to the space that we design for our client.”
For Arabella, this focus on originality was at the heart of creating something that works for the luxury market. “Personalisation is the pinnacle mark of luxury” she says, “often its not asked for by my clients, its just assumed.” Its no wonder then that she was selected to be one of the faces of Fenwick of Bond Street’s recent Individuality campaign, with the Objets previewed at a pop up in the flagship store. “The Fenwick culture has an approachable and family quality to it that feels so personal, and being included in the individuality campaign really aligned with our ethos” explains Arabella, “I felt it was a really unique platform to launch our home Objets.”
It’s an approach that is also clear to see in the designs themselves. Each beautifully made using the finest materials, there is a cool, understated feel running throughout the pieces that is ripe for personalisation. “The experience I have had with all my clients has formed part of the Objets today” Arabella explains, “we really believe in flexibility in the creative process and the result is that you can customise each piece. Whether specifying a change in colour or materiality, I tried to create a lasting foundation that stands the test of time but can also be adaptable.”
“A great example of this is Chair Objet” Arabella describes, “which, for the launch, we expressed in one of house monogram prints and a chic boucle fabric but, because the frame of the design is so sleek and elegant, it is completely adaptable with your fabric choice. For example, a neutral design would create an understated sophisticated feel, whereas a bold colour or pattern could transform it into a standout piece.”
Its an approach that has been applied throughout the collection, with designs like Stool Objet and Table Objet set upon a minimalist base that can be transformed with bespoke variations of upholstery for the former and combinations of marble and resin for the latter. “I wanted to create a sense of classicism that is familiar but also innovative, creating lasting pieces, not just in quality, but also aesthetic” explains Arabella “I would like to think that they could be considered as modernist pieces.”
There are a few designs where Arabella Bassadone has truly pushed the boundaries to create something showstopping. Screen Objet, a stunning work that blurs the line between furniture and art, does just that. “It is our most individual and personal design” Arabella describes, “clients can choose their own finishes for the mirror and frame to create an entirely different aesthetic, but also introduce their own hand painted star sign to create an original design.”
So what’s next for Maison Arabella? With new lighting designs and interior projects in the pipeline, she shows no signs of slowing down.
Maison Arabella’s Objets will be available at Fenwick of Bond Street until November 2019 and then from www.masionarabella.com
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