Born of an artistic partnership between two creative minds, the latest collection from Gerringong-based Hegi Design House and Italian architect Pietro Franceschini is an exploration of Italian sensibility, reimagined for a contemporary Australian aesthetic. The collaboration formed after the Hegi team approached Pietro with visions of graceful curves and rich upholstery, wanting to encapsulate the feeling of fluidity with the weight of quality pieces. Pietro responded enthusiastically, excited by the chance to combine his artistic direction with Hegi’s unrivalled craftsmanship.
Designed in the Italian Riviera, the Urania collection was conceived during Pietro’s Covid-induced lockdown experience in Genova, where an unexpected friendship with a local painter led to one of the most creatively prolific times of his life. The name Urania is an homage to the picturesque sports club he spent a large amount of time in, discussing ideas, concepts and coming up with the intention behind the new furniture collection.
Hegi Design House x Pietro Franceschini furniture collaboration
The Urania collection features three key pieces: the ‘Collo’ daybed, ‘Lavinia’ desk and the ‘Waldo’ chair, each offering a playful, fresh and instantly recognisable profile that is both gentle and solid. The modularity of the pieces was inspired by the classic ‘DS-600’ sofa by De Sede, with the idea being that, although upholstered, the pieces would appear as if made of stone. Luxuriously adorned with Rubelli velvet and offered in an array of customised finishes, the sculptural range is an exploration of sensuality with a hint of masculine form, where art and furniture intertwine.
To coincide with Urania, the Bling Bling collection takes its style cues from the imagined hallowed grounds of Olympus. Its mythical halls, replete with marble and gold and palatial in scale, are reimagined in the sculptural form of the ‘Siamese’ sofa, chair and ottoman. Each cloud-like seat is upholstered in Dedar Artemidor boucle and sits on a base of sumptuously carved Victorian ash legs – the ultimate luxury item for any discerning collector.
As Pietro’s final offering, the ‘Six Variations’ chair is a sleek yet striking designer statement, with a futuristic profile that’s at once classic and contemporary, outrageous and playful. Made exclusively by Hegi Design House, the chair, as with the entire capsule collection, is a triumph of craftsmanship; the culmination in a true creative partnership where an inspired meeting of minds, forged from a collective appreciation for sustainable luxury and soulfulness, is grounded in effortless elegance.
hegidesignhouse.com; pietro-franceschini.com
The Pietro Franceschini x Hegi Design House capsule collection is a triumph of craftsmanship. A true creative partnership that has culminated in an inspired meeting of minds…
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