Inventing the Past

The challenge of this project in Geneva was to inject warmth and character into a featureless new-build apartment. Essentially, it was about creating an atmosphere of permanence – inventing the past. To add visual interest, the walls of the drawing room were painted in trompe-l’oeil technique to resemble simple traditional panelling. The warm tones are echoed throughout the scheme, which features fine French antiques as well as comfortable, capacious sofas. Bespoke curtain and upholstery fabrics are accented with luxurious trimmings and lampshades in jewel-like colours, which are also repeated elsewhere in the apartment for continuity and cohesion.
In the tiny master bedroom, the 18th–century verdure tapestry filling the entire wall behind the bed creates an illusion of depth, adding warmth and charm to the space. Sitting on Gustavian–style bedside chests, the vivid blue lamp bases provide unexpected pops of colour. Bespoke woven fabrics cover the Louis XV fauteuil and chair as well as the bed valance, while sumptuous fringes, tassels and braids subtly enhance the atmosphere of timeless comfort.