Seaside Villa

This Neo-Palladian villa in Sardinia has several private beaches. Istomin was asked to refresh the existing living room overlooking the Mediterranean and to create a new formal winter dining room by combining service rooms at the back of the house. To enhance the room’s symmetry and amplify light, mirrored doors were placed opposite the wall of French windows. The room is filled with whimsical custom-made furniture, born of Istomin’s imagination.

Istomin took inspiration from the fantastical world of the sea, resulting in a maritime theme becoming the basis for the exuberant interior. 

The pair of armchairs next to the sofas with carved frames imitating ship ropes contribute to the nautical theme. The mirror is by Gilbert Poillerat

The cornice, reminiscent of 17th-century Italian grottos, was handcrafted by Thomas Boog from real shells and mother-of-pearl. The metal chandelier with seashells and gilded tassels is by Tony Duquette. The carved-wooden sconces above the door were originally made in the 17th century for a cathedral in Sicily. The large wooden dining table was created by Karl Springer in the 1970s and the chairs with “animal” legs were designed by Istomin.

The vintage console with the plaster shell was fitted with a new wooden top, painted with a whimsical pink malachite motif. On top of it is a collection of 18th-century coral-shaped table decorations.