Flair for the Dramatic

Artist Francesca DiMattio's exuberant new designs for Calico Wallpaper redefine everyday theatrics

- —LAURA REGENSDORF

What if the domestic sphere were a little less staid, a little more fun- house? That's the case in the world of artist Francesca DiMattio, where ceramic confections layer ornamental forms with those of everyday household effects. In one work, she might sculpt a child- size sneaker and a jug of milk within a deconstructed, Meissen- inspired vase; for another, she'll combine the motifs of floral china and Moroccan rugs into a chandelier.