“We’ve known each other for so many years that a single glance is all it takes to know exactly what the other one’s thinking.”

Paola Navone first set up her agency some time in the Seventies. Remaining true to the anti-design stance she adopted when working for the anti-conformists Alessandro Mendini and Ettore Sottsass, she instantly set about blazing her very own thoroughly unique trail. “Make the ordinary extraordinary” is the mantra that drives her work, and a concept that truly resonates with Cristina Pettenuzzo, her closest collaborator since 2004. Pettenuzzo, who is the Art Director of Otto Studio – an entity founded by Paola Navone twenty years ago –, is the first to agree: “The very essence of how we work is captured in those four words.” From the Italian capital of design, she explains how she has successfully turned Otto Studio into a “fluid, ever-changing structure that has the ability to infiltrate different worlds”.

How do you work with Paola Navone?

We operate like a pendulum. I first started working with her when I was just 24 years old. She has been my guide, and I’ve learnt so, so much from her way of “seeing” things. She’s passed on her sense of curiosity and her experience, and over time that has allowed me to develop my own approach to design, built on my own individual qualities. When I’m working on a project, my job involves imbuing every single step with that expertise and vision. 

What are your respective strengths?

Everyone already knows just how talented Paola Navone is, and yet she still manages to surprise people. As for me, I like the contrast between diligence and extravagance. I find it easy to find fun in my work and do my job with curiosity and passion. I also have the ability to enjoy working on a wide range of projects, “from teaspoons to towns” as architect Richard Rogers once said. Wherever I am, my brain is always in “research” mode, which allows me to engage with my teams in a cross-functional way no matter what the project. From the concept to the choice of materials, from advising the client to staging projects, from designing accessories to designing textiles and surfaces, I follow every step from start to finish.

We know that Asia and Tanzania are important to Paola Navone.

Which parts of the world inspire you?

I love Japan’s radical sophistication when it comes to fashion and the arts, and the country’s attention to detail, right down to food packaging. I also like the simplicity and excellence of Indian craftsmanship. India has brought so much to both my professional and personal life. As a general rule, I’m fascinated by the traditional arts, whether they herald from far-flung places or closer to home. 

Which project best exemplifies your motto: “Make the ordinary extraordinary”?

Recently, for a trade fair in Delhi, we picked up everyday objects at flea markets and gave them a new interpretive spin. We made a lampshade from red spices, fashioned pink walls from candyfloss, and arranged blocks of salt that are usually fed to cows to make them look like works of art. I enjoy using irony, upcycling and creativity to give meaning to the “unremarkable”, and I find beauty absolutely everywhere, even in imperfections.

What will you remember most about Maison&Objet 2022?

I particularly liked the “Leisure” – Museum Tour space by François Bernard for the carefully curated vibe it exuded. And, of course, the cafe space we designed with Daniel Rozensztroch featuring his collection of spoons. As a general rule, spending time at Maison&Objet is extremely inspiring and fuels our mindset, our thought process and our research. It offers a vast pool of new products, suppliers and contacts, not to mention an extensive network of potential new collaborations.

What are you hoping to see at the September edition?

I’m hoping to find one-of-a-kind products and unique manufacturing processes and, of course, true gems at affordable prices! It would be great to see a selection of traditional French crafts, don’t you think? And as usual, I’m really looking forward to tapping into all the positive vibes!

What is the first thing you look for in a supplier?

A connection. I like meeting manufacturers in person to discuss my most special projects and chat about bespoke creations face-to-face. Dialogue is extremely important, and even sparks opportunities.

What makes your design studio so special?

We’re all about breaking with convention. We enjoy using simplicity to switch things up. It allows us to be eclectic, to design a pop-style launderette one day and then renovate a chateau the next, whilst respecting the constraints that underpin each project.

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently focusing on shifts in the “new luxury” concept and the new ways in which spaces are being used. It is becoming increasingly important for spaces to offer an “experience”. I’m working on these new needs, and notably on creating tactile experiences through the use of objects and surfaces. When designing our products and collections of materials, it is becoming vital to factor in the three-dimensional textures that can spark a sensory emotion. In France*, we are currently working on a hotel in Burgundy and a new collection for the Salon du Meuble de Paris.

Otto Studio

* In Paris, Otto Studio was responsible for fitting out the McDonald’s near to Austerlitz train station. The walls are tattooed, the chairs are mismatched, and the overriding colour is aqua blue, marking a striking break with the chain’s usual look. Otto Studio’s