In an age where machine learning and technology has infiltrated every aspect of life, supporting the work of craftspeople and artists has never been more important. These interiors showcase the multitude of ways that craft can elevate a space whilst serving as a timely reminder that there is simply no replacement for the skill, vision and utter creativity of artisans.
An architectural embellishment in Paris
A tribute to 1980s Yves Saint Laurent jewellery, this jewel-box of a wall can be found in Galerie Oasis, the Parisian venue founded by Léa Zeroil and Robin Costes dedicated to promoting craft and artisan skills. This metal-look plaster effect was created by Arnaldo Olivier, and is inset with resin gemstones by Antoine Guerin of Gats Studio and Sonson Tingaud. leazeroil.com
A fashion-forward wall mosaic
There is a close connection between the worlds of fashion and art, so it’s no surprise that some of the most creative interiors are to be found in the studios of clothing brands. This shimmering mosaic, featuring folkloric half-human, half-animal forms, is the work of Australian YSG Studio for Alémais. ysg.studio
The playful bas-relief by Laurent Dufour
Interior designer Laura Gonzalez’s country retreat in Giverny is a place for her to test out collaborations with craftspeople and realise her more adventurous ideas. In this living room, two grand chimney pieces are decorated with bas-relief animal heads by ceramic artist Laurent Dufour. lauragonzalez.fr
A immersive mural in Portugal
The murals by Athens-born painter Konstantin Kakanias – which decorate the suites in footwear designer Christian Louboutin’s Hotel Vermelho in Melides, Portugal – are a fully immersive experience, extending across the ceiling to create an escapist fantasy. vermelhohotel.com
A sculptural wood portal inspired by Inuit carvings
Marble portals have been all the rage in interiors, but it’s time to get more inventive with the trend, like Elena Dendiberia and Homan Raja, co-founders of San Francisco-based firm Studio Ahead, who collaborated with talented local wood sculptor Ido Yoshimoto to create this doorway inspired by Inuit carvings. Produced using salvaged redwood, it is the spiritual focal point of this home. studioahead.com
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An abstract bas-relief wall in Paris
Liminal spaces such as hallways are sometimes overlooked when it comes to design, but not in this Parisian pied-à-terre by Batiik. It enlisted the help of painting studio Redfield & Dattner, which, in a departure from its usual medium, produced an abstract bas-relief wall, the softness of its lines creating a welcoming atmosphere. batiik.fr
A hand-painted HQ for a fashion brand
Why limit your canvas when it comes to murals? They aren’t just for walls. This design by Blanca Lomar, head of prints and art director at Stine Goya, for the fashion brand’s showroom, allows the on-brand blooms to extend across the floor, appearing to bleed colour in an explosion of joy. stinegoya.com
A swirling floor mosaic by Pierre Mesguich
The art of floor mosaics is ancient, dating back to the Mesopotamian era, but still people find ways to make it feel exciting and new. This design in a Parisian apartment by Hauvette & Madani, which brings to mind a whirlpool or the rays of the sun, is the work of Pierre Mesguich and sets this home’s subtle colour palette. hauvette-madani.com)
A starry ceiling mural in Madrid
Lights are embedded within the deep-blue constellation-inspired ceiling mural by artist Jesús Colmenero in the bedroom of this Madrid apartment. It’s just the kind of mix of the practical, artistic and playful that this home’s owner Ana Arana, co-founder of architectural-design firm Plutarco, has become known for. plutarco.design
A floor to ceiling ceramic artwork in London
Ceramic artist Souraya Haddad’s panels that make up the Medusa-like fireplace in London restaurant Meat The Fish show how functional elements of an interior can become fantastical. The design for this project is the work of MariaGroup, which also conceived a stainless-steel bar that looks like the cross-section of a crab. mariagroup.com
