Material mastery: Delfina Delettrez Mayfair boutique conquers materials

The new boutique, which joins her Rome flagship store, has been designed in collaboration with friend and architect Rafael de Cárdenas.

Working with a small amount of space, de Cárdenas deployed a trompe l'oeil effect using faux leather to mimic Malachite, a copper oxidised mineral adding depth and a contemporary touch to the more industrial materials of polished stainless steel and brass. The material has been offset with carefully curated fifties modernist furnishings, including Ico Parisi sofa and Fontana Arte lighting.

The technique, as described in our Precious Precision design direction, reflects the mastery over material that is so evident in the Delettrez pearl and gem work pieces.

‘I wanted the store to have an impact, and to have multiple illusions, not knowing where the jewellery ends and the installation begins,’ says Delettrez. ‘Stones and vitrines have the illusion of floating and there is an element of distortion on the Malachite trompe l’oeil.’

For more on the artful use of materials influencing luxury product and interior design, read our Geo Luxe design direction.