"Throughout my career I have done a lot of work with surfaces and still today I consider them to be very important. I have always believed and promoted the idea that non-natural surfaces can and must take on a life of their own," says Italian designer, architect and art director Paola Navone. A multifaceted artist with a free spirit who embraces and acknowledges the diversity, Paola Navone collaborated with ABK, one of the top players in the Italian ceramic and porcelain tile sector. Poetry Wood collection, an offshoot of a wide-ranging project called Poetry House that explores creative experiences, surfaces, materials and graphic designs is inspired by her most iconic and representative works. "The collaboration between ABK and Studio OTTO - Paola Navone did not come about by chance. We have a lot in common in our approach to design, in our idea of a product, including the care we devote to the selection of surfaces,” says Cristian Nizzoli, Marketing manager - ABK Group.
04mins watch Paola Navone for ABK Video: Courtesy of ABK
Poetry Oak Image: Courtesy of ABK
Poetry Ecru alongside Poetry Paint Wood Image: Courtesy of ABK
Poetry Ecru adorns the outdoor deck area Image: Courtesy of ABK
Poetry Gold with Poetry Paint Wood Image: Courtesy of ABK
The subtle Poetry Gold adds a natural finish to the deck Image: Courtesy of ABK
Poetry House by ABK in collaboration with Navone lets the lyrical authenticity of life take the centrestage through a collection that condenses the designer's artistic experience and history and channels them into other fields of application. The project accentuates the value of the design process and reaffirms ABK's presence in the world of design, an inception of a journey destined to continue in the future. Great importance is given to handcrafting decorative pieces, embodying imperfections and uniqueness at the same time. "The other theme we have in common and which has enabled us to develop the poetry house concept is that of decoration. This has always been an important theme for ABK and one that we have been able to develop in a really new and original way," shares Nizzoli.
Poetry Ecru and Poetry Paint Wood Image: Courtesy of ABK
Poetry Ecru and Poetry Paint Wood Image: Courtesy of ABK
Poetry stamp paint cement against the Poetry Gold Image: Courtesy of ABK
Poetry Oak enhancing the space aesthetic Image: Courtesy of ABK
Natural textures of the Poetry Paint Wood Image: Courtesy of ABK
Poetry Wood brings forth the most natural sensations of wood and enhances the graphic contrasts of the timber grain. The collection is available in four appealing colours - Gold, Ecru, Oak and Mud - presented in the classic plank formats in three different sizes: 20x120 cm, 30x120 cm and 26.5x180 cm. The elegantly handcrafted proposals are captivating, with a suggestion of textured plaster that highlights the raw texture of wood, or shimmering metallic effects. "Poetry also refers to the poetic vision of this house, not too rigid but very welcoming, very very soft, with these imperfect material patterns that also have a story to tell,” shares Cristina Pettenuzzo from Studio Otto.
Poetry Mud set against Poetry Metal Mud Image: Courtesy of ABK
Poetry Mud accentuates the interior style of the living area Image: Courtesy of ABK
Patterns overlaid on a material, taking on its tactile quality, expressed something almost ironic. To render the material a rare and refreshing look, the artist resorted to grits. “I once put on an exhibition entitled An identity for artificial material, because people were always talking about imitation, about imitation wood. So to refute this idea we said no, an artificial material is capable of reproducing natural materials, albeit with different levels of performance,” explains Navone. “In addition, an artificial material can easily assume an identity of its own. But, its real potential lies in the fact that this identity can evolve according to trends, according to fashions, according to the needs of design,” she adds. Graphic patterns are printed on top of a realistic wood relief, complementing the rather soft and natural aesthetic of the material.
A combination of Poetry Oak and Poetry Metal Oak Image: Courtesy of ABK
Poetry Oak styled with Poetry Metal Oak Image: Courtesy of ABK
The Poetry Wood collection effortlessly harmonises with all the surfaces in the Poetry Decor range, which encapsulates patterns created by Studio Otto - Paola Navone presented as both 120x280 cm slabs and in a smaller 20x20 cm size. The small size range also includes three articles that revisit the wood designs with a contrasting, stylised motif based on cross-sectional views of tree trunks. The ensemble exudes finesse and functionality with slight reflections of a tribal look conforming to the visual style of Paola Navone while simultaneously satiating ABK’s vision.
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