Cristina Celestino was born in 1980 in Pordenone. In 2005, after graduating from the School of Architecture at IUAV University of Venice, she worked with prestigious design studios, focusing on interior architecture and design. In 2009 she moved to Milan, founding her own furniture brand Attico Design. In 2012 she was selected to take part in the Salone Satellite. As a designer and architect, Cristina Celestino creates exclusive projects for private clients and companies. Her work also extends to creative direction for companies, and the design of interiors and displays. Cristina has received many international prizes and honours, including the Special Jury Prize in the “Salone del Mobile. Milano Awards” in 2016 and the Elle Deco International Design Award in the Wall covering category in 2017 with “Plumage” for Botteganove and in 2019 with “Giardino delle Delizie” for Fornace Brioni.
What made you want to study architecture and then become a designer?
My approach to design field starts as collector, after my degree as Architect at Iuav in Venice in 2005. I started to study design from design auction catalogues, than I started to buy design from flea market, web and auctions. I have been collecting also a lot of design books about my favourite designer-architect (like monographic books of Carlo scarpa, Gio Ponti, Gino Sarfatti, Joe Colombo, Sottsass, Nanda Vigo etc etc). And some years later, after moving to Milan, and after some years of job experience in architecture firms, I decided to start to design furniture by my own for my interior projects. From my passion and strong interest on interior design since university time, the crossing to furniture design was really natural to me, also thanks to the city where I was living, and where I still live. In this sense, Milan is a very stimulating city related to the Salone del Mobile; it is surrounded by companies, a network of local suppliers, there are many showrooms of the most important Brands. Not to mention the events and exhibitions linked to the design and interior world. The incentives coming from the city really encouraged me to start my own work in design and in interior field.
What is your main source of inspiration?
Inspirations are all around, you just need to know how to look for them. I find inspiration in my everyday life, in the city where I live, Milan and in its urban landscapes. I am architect and often my ideas come from the world of architecture or from my background studies, and from my personal considerations about the work of the Great Masters. While I do my research I feel free to explore different fields from fashion to jewellery (of which I admire the functionality that becomes aesthetic). Sometimes my references come from nature, from the vibes I collect from the colours, materials and textures that nature offers us every day.
How would you describe your design approach in few words?
In my work I mix elements from a common imaginary, from heritage, in some words we could say “traditional”, with contemporary aesthetics – fashion, architecture, design, shapes and colours coming from nature; all these elements works together and the final results is a strict summary – often unexpected and ironic. I play with shapes, geometry, colours and through variations of scale and small inventions, the objects are often able to convey new messages and different meaning. I use my personal design language in each project (from interior to product) and I think it is a strong personal trademark.
Do trends influence your projects?
I think that creative work is always influenced by the trends that are in the air. The thing is to perceive a trend and to try to go forward, adding something new and unexpected, that may become a new trend.
How do you blend traditional and contemporary design in your work?
I am convince that a great design project, whether it is an interior or a furniture, must be a mix of traditional and contemporary allure. I like to blend these two feature in my design through uncommon use of materials, with a mix of novelty in function and aesthetic.
What other projects are you particularly excited to be working on right now?
I’ve just completed the project of a brand new precious boutique in Ravello, Amalfi Coast, called The Pink Closet – the boutique of Palazzo Avino Hotel. In August will open also a new cocktail bar designed by me, in a brand new hotel in Venice that will be called Hotel Palazzo Experimental.
Policroma, collection of flooring and wall covering for CEDIT – credits: CEDIT
Alice lamp in marble and onyx, design by Cristina Celestino for Budri. Photo credits: Mattia Balsamini
Pop-Up project – Interior project for LuisaViaRoma @ Spring Studios, New York – photo credits Luisaviaroma
–Planetario, project by Besana Carpet Lab, designed by Cristina Celestino, – photo credits Helenio Barbetta
Policroma, collection of flooring and wall covering for CEDIT – credits: CEDIT
