Italian Design Star Achille Salvagni's Custom-Made World

Rome-based architect Achille Salvagni has designed everything from supermarkets to luxury yachts. Equally inspired by Italian and Scandinavian modernism, he designs furnishings that evoke the luxury of the past, using materials such as bronze, parchment, and exotic woods, while crafting interiors that are very much of the moment. “I feel that my DNA is an architect’s,” Salvagni says. “I can’t help evaluating volumes an the flow of space. I start with plans and elevations, and go from there. I’m not a decorator—it’s a part of my work, but not the essence. I shape and sculpt the space; the architecture needs to be a piece of art.” Here, six projects from the stunning range featured in his new book, Achille Salvagni (Rizzoli).

London apartment with lacquered red room divider and bronze wall sconces — *Photo: Paolo Petrignani*

For an apartment in London, Salvagni was inspired by Japan; a lacquered red room divider is contrasted with his Oyster wall sconces of polished bronze and hand-carved onyx and Gae armchair, which references Isamu Noguchi and Isamu Kenmochi’s basket chair.

A Louis XV console with a stone busts stands below a blue painting — *Photo: Paolo Petrignani*

In Salvagni’s living room in Rome, a Louis XV console is juxtaposed with a 2011 painting by Ettore Spalletti, Una giornata di sole e oro.

Four faux fur dining chairs sit around a wood table with custom chandelier — *Photo: Paolo Petrignani*

For a living room in Geneva, Salvagni paired a table by Paolo Buffa with four limited-edition Frangipane chairs and a Lens chandelier of his own design; the artwork is by Jacob Kassay.

Modern bedroom on a yacht with gray wood closets and brown rug — *Photo: Paolo Petrignani*

Yachts present special design challenges. To create warmth and volume in this floating bedroom, Salvagni designed a room of gentle curves, including a free-floating nightstand that is incorporated into the parchment-covered headboard.

This contemporary living room mixes faux fur armchairs with glass coffee table and white stone fireplace — *Photo: Maris Mezulis*

For a living room in Geneva, Salvagni created a custom parchment-wrapped fireplace surround which is flanked by a pair of his Pillow Magnum sconces. His Ares coffee table and Amboseli chairs are placed on a free-form silk rug.

An oval dining table with black wire dining chairs stand under a onyx spider chandelier — *Photo: Paolo Petrignani*

An oval dining room in Rome features vintage Warren Platner dining chairs around a custom table, a black-lacquered Spider chandelier, and recessed onyx wall lights; the archways are lined in bronze to add subtle glamour.