Paola Navone graduated in architecture in 1973 and at the turn of the 70s and 80s, she participated in the most advanced wing of the Italian design scene, developing a highly stimulating and productive avant-garde design position, which earned her, in 1983, the prestigious International Design Award in Osaka, awarded for the first time in that year.
MOON 33 dining table x Gervasoni
GRAY 32 dining table x Gervasoni
Paola Navone is animated by a great curiosity for the most diverse cultures suspended between East and West, design and craftsmanship, and in fact, her long and complex career sees her move with happy ease between the roles of architect, designer, art director, interior designer, essayist, teacher, curator of exhibitions and events, both on his own and for a selected client.
In the center of Milan, the iconic architect and interior designer Paola Navone has reserved herself the top floor of this renovated factory who’s hosting her offices. “I wanted to let live and preserve the unfinished look of rough walls. “If the light and air circulate freely, the city noise does not penetrate. “It is a very light place”, she explains. (image above)
All is calm and it is an extraordinary place to detach from work, to let go during the day or to arrange appointments that require some privacy. ”
Hamilton dining table x Crate & Barrel
She boasts collaborations with a long series of famous and heterogeneous companies including Abet Laminati, Armani Casa, Knoll International, Alessi, Piazza Sempione, Mondo, Driade, Orizzonti, Arcade, Oltrefrontiera, Casamilano, Antonangeli, Dada, Molteni, Natuzzi, Roche Bobois, Swarovski. For Gervasoni, since 1998 he has been taking care of the artistic direction of the company, as well as personally taking care of the design of most of the collections. In 2000, Paola Navone was named “Designer of the Year” by the prestigious German magazine Architektur & Wohnen.
See also: 5 Exclusive Marble Dining Tables Designed by Italian Designers
INOUT 133 dining table x Gervasoni
INOUT 133 Rectangular dining table x Gervasoni
Due to her early experience, Paola Navone has a particular talent for rediscovering design from the past and bringing it to life in new, contemporary forms. This process always relies heavily on traditional handicrafts and has proved very successful. Nowadays, Paola Navone works as an interior designer and consultant to furniture and material manufacturers, and always tries to combine modern design with traditional handicraft. She strives to create hybrids of design and handicraft, placing greater value on the design that comes about ‘by mistake’ than that which is created for mass production.
MATERA dining table x BAXTER
GRAY 32 dining table x Gervasoni
Paola Navone‘s experience in many countries lead her to a highly advanced design idea: since she was a child, the design has always been “like an omelet: mushrooms or courgettes, just enough to be good. I don’t like suffering, I’m ready to throw to shape object.”
BRICK 33/34 dining table x Gervasoni
NEVADA dining table x BAXTER
What do you think about these contemporary dining tables designed by Paola Navone?
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