During Milan Design Week, Artemest’s New Zealand partner Obery Studio guided a group of designers through the brand’s L’Appartamento exhibition. We speak to Jane Mason and Lindy Messam of Obery about the experience.
The fourth iteration of Artmest’s exhibition took place once again at Palazzo Donizetti in Milan, where five designers were invited to transform different rooms in the palazzo based on the theme ‘Italian grandeur’.
“At L’Appartamento, it was the first year the designers were permitted to paint the walls of the Palazzo, which completely changed the feeling of the spaces and gave each room a much stronger identity,” says Jane.
The lineup included a list of renowned global studios: Charlap Hyman & Herrero, March and White Design, Rockwell Group, Sasha Adler Design and Urjowan Interiors; each transformed a different space, showcasing a curated selection of Italian furniture, lighting and decor by Artemest’s finest artisans.
“The Entertainment Salon by Charlap Hyman & Herrero was probably our favourite space. It had this incredible layered and slightly eccentric energy that felt deeply opulent yet still relaxed and inviting,” Lindy says. “The rooms were rich in colour, sculptural lighting and beautiful textures, with this amazing tension between grandeur and informality.
“We also loved The Alcove by Urjowan Interiors. The hand-painted Fabscarte wallpaper brought such softness and intimacy to the bedroom and completely transformed the atmosphere of the space.”
For the first time, a new Artemest collection by GACHOT occupied its own dedicated floor, creating a focused, studio-like environment that contrasted with the layered compositions of the main exhibition.
In the bedroom, by Urjowan Interiors, hand-painted wallpaper by Fabscarte drew a direct line between process and outcome, offering a more intimate reading of the wider material language.
“Artemest continues to balance contemporary design with extraordinary Italian craftsmanship in a way that feels authentic and timeless,” says Jane.
Obery also guided designers beyond the exhibition and into Fabscarte’s studio, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship behind each wallpaper. Through paper, pigment and layered washes, depth and character slowly emerge over time.
“At the time, they were creating the Tender Flora design featured within The Alcove by Urjowan Interiors at L’Appartamento, in a custom palette of soft ivory and warm black. Seeing the craftsmanship behind something we had just experienced within the exhibition made the whole experience feel incredibly personal,” Jane adds.
Obery is Artemest’s exclusive partner in Australia and New Zealand.
