The art of mise en scène
As her first furniture collection goes on sale, designer Tatjana von Stein talks about going it alone and reconnecting with her French roots
‘This particular collection was inspired by dance, the body and creating a sense of movement,’ Tatjana von Stein says of ‘Mise en Scène’, her first furniture series, which comprises a drinks cabinet, darkgreen screen, lacquered tables and two playful seats. While the pieces are predominantly made from robust materials including walnut-burr wood, stainless steel and glass, motion is conveyed through the curvaceous lines of the tables and the silk moiré fabric that appears to ripple and sway in the light. In the hands of a different designer, these sorts of theatrics, even in such mature materials, would border on the frivolous, yet with von Stein’s attention to craft, they serve only to amplify the drama.
Von Stein has inserted her identity into the work, making an introspective and intimate collection
While von Stein founded cult interiordesign studio Sella Concept with her partner, Gayle Noonan, back in 2016, she has taken the launch of ‘Mise en Scène’ as an opportunity to insert more of her identity into her first solo work, making a collection that is a more introspective and intimate affair. ‘I wanted to reconnect to my French roots and have therefore worked closely with an incredibly strong restoration group in France that has a finesse for most crafts,’ she explains. Even the walnut burr for the furniture was sourced locally in Vendée, France, where the designer’s family origins lie.
This may be a whole new adventure, but recognisable Sella Concept elements do crop up in this collection. Take, for example, the bodily forms of the brand’s ‘Ladies Pond’ stools or the rich green, yellow and terracotta colour gradients throughout. These repeated motifs give the collection a familiar feel and will no doubt keep existing fans of von Stein hooked. tatjanavonstein.com