Alessandra Fumagalli Romario, Studiolo 2.0

Milan, Italy

Wood: cherry

During extensive Zooming, video meetings and Insta-lives, Fumagalli Romario observed people’s curated backgrounds, which got her thinking about ‘the importance of objects as extensions of ourselves: from one side, many boundaries are created, from another, boundaries disappear, private and public are mixed together’. She likened this curated space to the small studioli found in Renaissance paintings, and to cabinets of curiosities. Inspired, she created a visual background, a cabinet to present oneself through objects that may be exhibited or hidden. Adding to its intrigue, she angled the vertical planes that divide the cabinet; together with gradient finishing, this creates the illusion of greater depth. Of her cherry wood choice, she says, ‘I wanted a wood that talked by itself. Also, I love its warm colour. It’s a wood that changes colour quickly if exposed to light. It’s important nowadays to have objects that remind us that they come from nature and change and mutate over time.’ @alessandra.romario