Interior Design: Marcante-Testa 2022

A couple with a predilection for art and high-quality textiles commissioned the architectural practice Marcante-Testa to redesign an apartment from the early 20th century, situated in the historic city centre of Trieste. Fixtures, lighting and furniture – such as modern classics by Eileen Gray – reference the period in which the apartment was built. They are complemented by sculptural contemporary designs by Konstantin Grcic for ClassiCon.

With their studio, founded in Turin in 2014, Andrea Marcante and Adalaide Testa have made a name for themselves in the field of sophisticated architecture and interior design projects. But they are also known for designing high-quality furniture, bathroom and kitchen fittings. For discerning private clients, Marcante-Testa develop outstanding interiors – often in historic buildings – paying tribute to existing structures while integrating aspects of contemporary aesthetics, function and comfort. This is also the case in their latest project, a 180-square-metre apartment in a period building in the seaport Trieste, which is located in the north east of Italy.  

The owners, a German-Italian couple with an art background and a professional connection to high-quality textiles, wanted furnishings that reflect the work of creative women from the era during which the apartment was built. Inspired by the work of the Trieste artist Anita Pittoni in the 1930s, for example, Marcante-Testa designed textile architectural elements: partitions, wall coverings, but also cabinet fronts and curtains. They were made exclusively for the project by the Textiel Museum Tilburg in collaboration with textile designer Aleksandra Gaca.  

Featuring a palette of soft pastel and natural tones, these custom-made "Architextiles" are complemented by products and furniture from classical modernism, such as door handles by Walter Gropius or lamps and furniture by Eileen Gray. The Day Bed, based on a design from 1925, and the Roattino Floor Lamp from 1931 (both by ClassiCon) perfectly mirror the furnishings' reference to the period in which the property was built. Striking contemporary designs by Konstantin Grcic for ClassiCon create a bridge to the present: the black version of the Venus Chair at the marble dining table, the upholstered Chaos Chair in combination with a Diana B Side Table in the living area, a white Pallas Table with Mars Chairs in the study area and the Orcus Home Desk in the bedroom.