DESIGN REPORTHand-woven Doria from the
Antico Setificio collection
was used as the basis for an
interiors collection for the
yacht Nameless. The floral
theme runs from the salon
and deck to the bedroomsSTEFANO
RICCI HOME“Designing the interior of a
house or boat is very similar
to how we create a sartorial
outfit. It starts with a simple
idea, discussed with the
client, which we then
develop and refine through
our own lens.
“The Doria fabric,
from our Antico Setificio
Fiorentino collection,
was the starting point
but we incorporated our
characteristic traits and our
own values – honor, power
and pride – into the scheme.”The creative process always begins with
a conversation with the client about what
they’re looking for, says Ricci, but whatever
concept is decided on is filtered through
the design house’s own brand values and
characteristic traits, being “the sense of
masculinity, and materials such as brown
briar root wood and travertine, or black briar
root wood and pietra serena”.
Coutas agrees that whatever the initial
idea, the identity of the brand or the designer
will often be woven in. “A client will come to
you because they like what you do,” he says.
“So when you’re discussing ideas, there’s
a trust there that you will take it in a direction
they’re happy with.” However, having
something tangible, like a sketch of a motif
or a fabric swatch, can ensure both client and
designer are on the same page from the start.
The same creative process applies not
just when designing a room scheme, but a
product, too. Coutas frequently collaborates
with luxury carpet manufacturer Tai Ping to
create bespoke designs for her clients. For a
private residence she designed the Versailles
rug, inspired by a section of the gardens of
Versailles. “I wanted something very French
but not classical,” Coutas says, “so I took
the motif of the garden but interpreted it
in a contemporary way.”
The bespoke floor covering has now
become part of a new collection for Tai Ping,
made to measure in wool and silk as well as
a water-resistant fiber suited to superyachts.
In the same collection are the Arès and
Aphrodite carpets, inspired by the Greek
gods of war and love. The idea came from
a client who wanted distinct masculine and74