The designer who's always best in show

Studiopepe’s launches at Milan Design Week set the tone for trends - co-founder Arianna Lelli Mami tells our executive editor Pip Rich what to expect

- PIP RICH

PIP RICH Let's start with your work for Gallotti&Radice - your showroom refresh was a standout moment of last year’s Milan Design Week for me. What were you thinking about when putting those dreamy colours together?

ARIANNA LELLI MAMI Previously it was all black, so rigid and hard, and we wanted to go in a more organic direction. By choosing pale pinks and beiges we tried to create the feeling of a womb, of inviting you in and connecting you to the space.

PR As a palette, I knew we'd be seeing it a lot this year - and it has emerged in what we're calling Italian Sunset hues, all blush pinks and warmer tones. How did you get that texture on the walls?

ALM We used a wall finish made with sand, which felt very natural, very ecological. It reflects the light and, since it is uneven, it gives depth. All good architecture and decoration has to start with the light - once you obtain good results in that area then it’s easy to put furniture in a space.