“Sesann” sofa by Tacchini upholstered in fabric by Dedar, Digamma armchairs by Santa & Cole, “Magico” carpet by Marcante-Testa for SEM-Spotti Edizioni Milano, “Nenuphar Mirroir” coffee table set by Janette Laverriere, 1950s re-edition Perimeter Editions 2008 (50 Golborne), Victoria Wilmotte vase (Tools Galerie), artwork (raffia, hair, copper, gold) weaved by the French-Ivorian artist Marie Claire Messouma Manlanbien (Galerie 50 Golborne, London), vintage floor lamp, Mori wall lamp by Rich Brilliant Willing, Kvadrat Rocket curtains, custom ceiling rose designed by Marcante-Testa. Parquet floor in smoked oak by Domenico Mori.

“Microarchitecture” designed by Marcante-Testa to divide the living room from the dining area, framed up in timber and finished in clay plaster. “Nenuphar Mirroir” coffee tables by Janette Laverriere 1960s -re-edition Perimeter Editions 2008; “Elysee” armchair by Pierre Paulin for Ligne Roset, “Magico” carpet by Marcante-Testa for SEM-Spotti Edizioni Milano. Sofa designed by Marcante-Testa with upholstery by Kvadrat and Dedar pillows. “VAL” side table by Christophe Delcourt (Galerie Delcourt Collection, Paris) with ceramics by the New Zealand artist Francis Upritchard (Kate Mac Garry). Custom ceiling rose designed by Marcante-Testa.

On the “Duale” table by Marcante-Testa for SEM-Spotti Edizioni Milano paired with “1950s Catilina” chairs by L. Caccia Dominioni for Azucena, vase by Jean Baptiste Fastrez and “Canova” plate by Constance Guisset. Ceiling light designed by Marcante-Testa and realised by Rossi Illuminazione.

Joana Choumali, photograph from “Hââbré, the last generation” (Galerie 50 Golborne, London). “Duale” table by Marcante-Testa for SEM-Spotti Edizioni Milano with “1950s Catilina” chairs by L. Caccia Dominioni for Azucena. Domenico Mori parquet in smoked oak.

Regardless of project type or scale, Marcante Testa’s singular approach to interiors offers a melange of curious materials, unusual colour combinations and unexpected details every single time. I’ve been a huge fan of their work since the very beginning of Yellowtrace—the spaces they create are playful and serious, rigorous and loose, calculated and spontaneous in equal measure… Extreme love all around, and this warm and colourful Parisian home is no exception.

In their signature style, the Turin-based practice—founded in 2014 by Andrea Marcante and Adelaide Testa—has injected the interior with a sense of playful whimsy and loads of personality, while maintaining a level of restrain and sophistication. The subtle complexity of the aesthetic where old-school references meet refined modernity deliver a series of delightful surprises around every corner. Brave colours, nana patterns, high-brow art and design pieces are held together by clean volumes, monolithic shapes and sharp detailing, bringing disparate design languages seamlessly together into a cohesive and unique interior.

Overlooking the second-largest church in the city after Notre Dame—the magnificent Saint-Sulpice—this heritage apartment renovation became Marcante Testa’s job after an American project manager living in Paris connected the duo with the owner of the property—her friend, Pascal Revert. “Pascal is the director of the London based gallery, 50 Golborne, devoted to contemporary African art and design,” said Andrea and Adelaide. “We created a richly layered home full of diverse influences that’s, according to our client, also very comfortable.”

Custom kitchen designed by Marcante-Testa and built by Materiadesign with marble worktop by Alimonti Marmi. “Mori” wall light (just out of frame) by Rich Brilliant Willing.

Vintage desk by Janette Laverriere 1960s, Bold chair by Moustache, wall lamp by Atelier Areti, “Sintesi” table lamp by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide. Orange bookshelf designed by Marcante-Testa.

Vanessa bed by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina with custom made bed cover, marble bedside table, wall lamp by AtelierAreti, Photography artwork over the bed by the English artist Leah Gordon.

Bathroom cabinet and mirror designed by Marcante-Testa; “Vanessa” bed by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, with bedcover by Marcante-Testa with fabric by Dedar.Custom made wardrobe designed by Marcante-Testa with Nya Nordiska fabric on hinged doors. In the bathroom: bathtub by Gentry Home with Gio Ponti taps by Mamoli, floor tiles by Domenico Mori, Dekorami wall tiles by Marcante-Testa for Ceramica Vogue.

Sculpture by Beninese artist Roumuald Hazoume (50 Golborne Gallery, London). Katy Paty light switches. Consolle 1960s by Angelo Mangiarotti (Themes & Variations) with ceramic vases by the Nigerian artist Ranti Bam (50 Golborne).

As the ultimate masters of mixing things up and creating the unexpected, Marcante Testa’s unique aesthetic stands apart in the sometimes homogenised world of interiors. However, they admit this approach doesn’t always come easy.

“Creating an original mix of abstract references like the esoteric side of Saint Sulpice church, African art, and the Parisian myth of ‘Rive Gauche’ during the seventies was challenging,” confess Andrea and Adelaide. Then there was the complex delivery side of things like working a team with French/English clients based in London and Kenya, an American project manager, a French local architect and their own team based in Italy.

Although difficult to pinpoint, finishes and furniture choices hint at the 70s, particularly the walls textures in clay and lime plaster—an homage to French architect Roger Anger’s “Auroville” architectural masterpiece in India.

Custom made bed with Kvadrat upholstery, wallpaper by Dedar / Hermes, custom made wardrobe designed by Marcante-Testa, built by MATERIADESIGN, vintage desk by Gio Ponti, spotlights by Rich Brilliant Willing, bedside lamp by Fontana Arte, switches by Katy Paty. In the background, bar corner with custom made cabinet and wallpaper by Wolfum.

Among the pieces adorning the rooms, sourced from the likes of Tacchini, Ligne Roset, Cassina and Christophe Delcourt, Marcante Testa’s own designs feature in the interior — the patterned rug in the living room and the large dining room table, both from their “Futuraforma” collection designed for SEM-Spotti Edizioni Milano.

During the design phase, the duo learned a lot about the esoteric, mysterious aspect of Saint Sulpice church—a major source of inspiration for the project, and the ceiling rose they custom-designed in the living room in particular, “but for the client, this element remains nothing more than a Batman logo,” conclude the duo jokingly. Seriously, how could you not love these guys? Exactly!

[Images courtesy of Marcante Testa. Photography by Carola Ripamonti.]

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