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How to decorate your home in the style of Elsa Schiaparelli
The first exhibition in the UK of Elsa Schiaparelli’s work is open now at the V&A, inspiring us to explore the potent power of pink (her signature colour) in modern interiors
Elsa Schiaparelli’s quirky, imaginative designs and love of pink (her signature shade ‘Shocking Pink’ was described by her as ‘bright, impossible, impudent’) were adopted by a generation of badass women at a time when non-conformity was often frowned upon. The designer died in 1973 but, in 2012, her fashion house reopened, followed by a collection from Christian Lacroix and, in 2019, the arrival of creative director Daniel Roseberry, whose creations keep Schiaparelli’s avant-garde ideals alive today. Here, we reimagine her style for the home, with homeware buys inspired by her aesthetic.
‘Arc’ table, Molteni & C
Designed by Foster + Partners, this table formed from cement has a beautifully architectural form that is reminiscent of some of Schiaparelli’s more avant-garde designs. It is also completely recyclable and, because it is printed, its production has a low environmental impact. £7,588, molteni.it
‘Vivid’ beetles, Armani Casa
Made of labradorite and silver-plated brass, these are bugs that you would be happy to find on the dining table. use them as elegant placeholders at your next dinner party. £160 for two, armanicasa.com
‘Noctis Skipper’ lamp, Tom Raffield
This bentwood design was originally introduced as a limited-edition, but the black colourway proved so popular it is now a part of the brand’s permanent collection. That’s perhaps because there is something so undeniably fashionable about its swoops in this darker hue. £395, tomraffield.com
‘Grejsimojs’ children’s chair cover, Ikea
It is impossible to have a homeware edit inspired by the work of Schiaparelli without something pink. It was her signature shade and, although this is a more muted take on her ‘shocking’ shade, this seat cover’s playful texture earned it a place on this edit. £15, ikea.com
‘Brolic’ vase, Cassina
The undulated curves and pleats of this design by Bradley L Bowers are intended to represent the effects of breath on the body. It’s a fitting surreal and beautiful theme for this selection of fashionable homeware. £480, cassina.com
‘Leather Panel’ cushion, M&S
Black leather is a fashion staple. This cushion brings its to your sofa, with a simple panel design that looks timelessly chic. £50, marksandspencers.com
‘Chunky’ stool, Gustaf Westman
You may know Westman from his collaboration with Ikea, but the designer’s own pieces are just as covetable (and prone to selling out). Crafted in wood, each piece is lacquered in a selection of his trademark bright hues (including this Schiaparelli-worthy pink). Approx £650, gustafwestman.com
‘Longhorn’ bottle opener, L’Objet
Elsa Schiaparelli’s beetle designs are iconic surrealist fashion elements from her 1938 ‘Pagan’ collection – but you can pay your respects to her style in a highly functional way with this bottle opener plated in 24-karat gold. £225, uk.l-objet.com
‘Roy’ console, Heal’s
Th ideal addition to a hallway, this design with its curvy veneered front hides a shocking surprise: bright red drawer interiors. It’s a move taken straight from the fashion world – like the bold lining of a suit or dress. £1,259, heals.com
‘Grace 05’ rug, Nordic Knots
This design actually takes its inspiration from the art deco era, but would be the ideal piece to pull this scheme together, with its artful monochrome look and unusual shape. £1,795, nordicknots.com
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