Aesop Las Salesas: A Dialogue in Heritage, Materiality and Light

In Madrid’s historic Las Salesas district, just steps from the architectural landmark Palacio Longoria, Aesop has unveiled a thoughtfully designed space that redefines retail as a place of quiet discovery and connection. Designed by long-time collaborators Ciszak Dalmas and Matteo Ferrari, the project marks the team's second Aesop store in the city—offering a distinct interpretation of the brand while remaining rooted in the local architectural language.

The design draws heavily on Spanish Modernism, most notably through the use of Trencadís, a traditional mosaic technique reimagined in a sculptural, contemporary form. Once used to decorate irregular surfaces, it now defines sweeping architectural elements within the store, transforming fragments of ceramic into a unified, textured landscape that speaks to both craft and innovation.

The material palette plays a central role in shaping the store’s sensory appeal. The interplay of light and shadow—made possible through hammered Catedral glass—creates shifting atmospheres throughout the day, reducing the need for artificial lighting. Sleek, freestanding sinks crafted from Spanish Silvestre Granito with bases of transparent glass and Alpi Walnut Burl wood appear to float within the space, enhancing the store's light-filled ambiance.

Walls rendered in fine-grain clay plaster, and with rich wood veneer, create a balanced tension between openness and intimacy. The store’s transparent, floating portico acts as a visual anchor—simultaneously threshold and focal point—inviting exploration and offering glimpses into the behind-the-scenes rituals that define Aesop’s customer experience. The layout supports fluid movement and ease of navigation, fostering a sense of openness that enhances both accessibility and engagement, while framed product displays and seating areas encourage moments of quiet interaction.

Aesop Las Salesas stands as a thoughtful response to its context—one that honours Madrid’s cultural identity while embracing a forward-looking design ethos. By merging heritage techniques with a modern, human-centred approach, the store becomes more than just a point of sale: it is a space of connection, discovery, and enduring craft.

Credits

Architects: Ciszak Dalmas / Matteo Ferrari

Photography: Salva López

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New and Noted

While the TDC Blog has been quiet since the latter part of 2024, as I’ve been fully immersed in styling, design, and writing projects, January, as always, brings an exciting array of design news—and I can’t let the month slip away without sharing some inspiring new projects and products that have landed in my inbox.

&Tradition Opens a New Showroom in Villeneuve-lès-Avignons, France

Located in Villeneuve-lès-Avignons, in the southern region of France, the new &Tradition showroom is located within a former papal residence dating back to the 16th century. Embracing the history and heritage of the building, whose architectural characteristics reflect those seen throughout the medieval town that surrounds it, &Tradition have taken care to preserve and restore original features, establishing a considered setting in which to showcase their timeless collection.

Providing a comprehensive overview of &Tradition designs from a variety of international creatives, both contemporary and classic, the space offers a curated experience of &Tradition's collection of furniture, lighting and accessories. With an emphasis on classic designs and outdoor furniture, the collection on display has also been selected for its relevance to the local market.

&Tradition Avignon showroom

14 Place de l'Oratoire, 30400 Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, France

Coco Flip Launches new Lighting Collection, Dancer 

Dancer is a new collection of lighting designed by Coco Flip in collaboration with Melbourne-based ceramicist Belinda Wiltshire. Belinda’s refined artistry and bold use of black iron oxide led the design process towards a collection of striking and distinct pieces including table lamps, wall lights and ceiling mounts.

Dancer takes inspiration from the Rriadisches Ballet developed by Oskar Schlemmer, who was part of the Bauhaus design movement in 1920s Germany. The ballet used fantastical costumes and strong geometry to transform the dancers and emphasise their movements. Each dancer piece aims to echo a sense of movement through form and pattern, bringing a strong and character-filled aesthetic to an otherwise minimalist light.

Belinda works from her pottery studio in Preston where each piece is wheel-thrown, hand-finished and fired. Dancer is crafted using mid-fire clay and brushed with black iron oxide, providing a striking contrast against the warm brown clay. Each lamp is offered in three striped finishes—wide, thin, and spaced. Table lamps are available in any combination of these finishes.

Images 1-4: Styling by Jess Lilico / Photography by Tom Ross

Image 5: Styling by Marsha Golemac / Photography by Pier Carthew

Ground Collection by Norm Architects and Massimo Copenhagen

Inspired by the textures and colours found in the natural world, the new Ground collection by Norm Architects and Massimo Copenhagen seeks to evoke a profound sense of home and belonging—serving as a tribute to simplicity and tranquility, seamlessly merging understated beauty with exceptional craftsmanship. Drawing from these earthy tones and subtle hues reminiscent of diverse landscapes, the collection transforms interiors into inviting and harmonious sanctuaries, and with a focus on tactile comfort and enduring quality, the rugs are designed to anchor spaces in calmness and warmth, creating a sensory experience that resonates on every level.

The humble rug is designed to feel at home wherever it is placed. It doesn't demand attention but rather sits comfortably within the space, serving as a foundational element that ties everything together. Ultimately, the aim of the collection is to offer a design element that not only enhances the visual appeal of a room but also contributes to a sense of balance and harmony within the interior environment, where the presence of nature is palpable and fosters a deeper sense of connection and well-being.

Photography by Irina Boersma

Dinesen Country Home Has Been Reimagined By Copenhagen Design Duo Mentze Ottenstein

Dinesen, Denmark’s foremost manufacturer of high-end wooden flooring, and five-generation family company, has crafted high-quality wood solutions since 1896. Their former family house, Dinesen Country Home, is located near the company's manufacturing facilities in Jels, Denmark, and has been an integral part of the Dinesen legacy since 2004 when the family acquired the estate. Recently, the residence underwent a thoughtful renovation by Copenhagen-based architecture and design studio Mentze Ottenstein, signalling a new chapter in the history of the estate and its role in the company.

Built in 1885, the residence is a traditional southern Jutland longhouse with a thatched roof, nestled amid lush green forestry, meadows, and lakes. As a place steeped in the Dinesen family’s history, the home is a living testament to the values and craftsmanship that define the company and the family behind it. While the original framework carried out by Overby was still sound, Mentze Ottenstein reviewed all surfaces and material compositions, introducing a fresh take on colour and working thoroughly with detailing to create a more harmonious experience. The Garde Hvalsøe kitchen features handcrafted cabinets have been painted an eye-catching shade of green as a nod to its countryside location. Elsewhere, a series of hand-turned ceramic bowls from Georgia sit comfortably alongside new walnut and pear kitchen handles. Further colour can be seen in the aisles and small chambers on the first floor, painted in golden ochre, creating a warm and intimate experience.

Fittingly, wood still takes centre stage as the central material palette within the house. The architectural Pawson Furniture Collection by John Pawson for Dinesen in Douglas fir, released earlier this year, sits elegantly next to antique furniture and a series of bespoke new furniture pieces designed by Mentze Ottenstein. These pieces have been made of ash with an oil finish resembling amber and a grain pattern reminiscent of black elm. In addition, deeper-toned wood selections such as walnut and pear are represented, for instance, in frames by Cassetta, which offers a flattering contrast to the light Douglas floors.

The house is designed to evoke a sense of home rather than a showroom while showcasing the stories of numerous exciting collaborations throughout the years. Primarily reserved for Dinesen's friends, design clients and relations to enjoy its breathtaking surroundings and inviting interiors, the house may also later be available for public booking on select dates.

Photography by Monica Grue Steffensen

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Origin Made Launch New Designs at Enter the Salon in Copenhagen

Currently showing at 3daysofdesign, Enter the Salon is a joint exhibition of international brands, where design, art and poetry converge, as the past intertwines with the present. Curated by designer Signe Hytte, and taking place within The Conary, a historic townhouse in Copenhagen, the showcase aims to foster quiet reflection, casual conversation, and the exploration of new perspectives.

The inspiring space provides the perfect setting for Origin Made who are launching Part II of their 2024 collection. They are joined by six other distinguished international brands—Karimoku Case, Carpe Diem Beds, Ambientec, Ladies & Gentlemen Studio, Silkeborg Uldspinderi and August Sandgren. 

Based in Porto, Origin Made blends modern design sensibilities with masterful craft techniques honed over generations to create collectible furniture, objects, and lighting that celebrate thoughtful design and the authenticity of the human touch. The brand collaborates directly with solo artisans and skilled craftspeople who preserve traditional ways of making. These makers breathe life into their creations, transforming simple objects into conduits of cultural richness and individual mastery.

Part II of Origin Made's 2024 collection builds upon the success of Part I, further exploring the theme of "Materials Intention", with the thoughtful application of natural materials to new shapes, resulting in pieces that feature a captivating interplay of textures and forms. Highlights include the Barco and Calabash Basket Sculptures created in collaboration with renowned Galician artisan Idoia Cuesta, the Flan Side Tables borne of a partnership between Origin Made's creative director, Gabriel Tan, and master ceramicist Joaquim Pombal, and the Lado Vase by Norm Architects.

Minimal and geometric wall-mounted vases, crafted in corten steel, Lado explores a new vast typology by opening up new possibilities for displaying dried plants and flowers in an unusual and elegant way.

Basket weaving sees Origin Made venture into a new craft while pushing the boundaries of traditional basketry. The combination of fully recyclable monofilament fishing lines from Galicia with natural rattan (Barco), and chestnut veneer (Calabash) is a modern and unique take on how basket weaving can create functional art objects.

Testament to yet another new successful collaboration, the Flan side tables feature clay plinths with soft box forms in two varying heights and are ideal for elevating and displaying treasured collectibles.

Enter the Salon celebrates the famous salons that were pivotal in hosting and fostering the avant-garde of the time in Paris, London, Berlin, Copenhagen and beyond—truly vibrant gatherings where intellectuals and creatives exchanged fresh ideas and challenged societal norms. The exhibition invites guests to visit The Canary with the same spirit—to inspire each other and talk, listen and think with an open mind, together.

Challenging the idea of the typical fair stand as a showcase, Enter the Salon is designed to feel like a culturally savvy, indelibly tasteful and strangely timeless private residence with plenty of layers to dive into.

"My vision is to do away with the classic fair stand and tell a story instead. One where every guest can explore multiple layers and find their own to be inspired by."—Signe Hytte, Curator, Enter the Salon.

A place where new movements start casually over drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and where the beauty of art and design and the importance of a great party carry equal weight to the people privileged enough to inhabit the rooms.

Throughout, a carefully curated selection of brands mix with each other to form a lived-in, informal, and slightly opulent red thread. Each brand fulfills their own essential role in the larger play that unfolds inside.

The common denominator for all the brands is an unwavering dedication to craftsmanship and quality over passing trends and fads, always with a focus on how uncompromising techniques can be emphasised in their pieces. Through intricate wood joinery, advanced LED technology, textile installations and an insistence on keeping hand-crafted work alive, the brands create the new by looking to the refined traditions of the past.

The beating heart of the exhibition is the sprawling Atrium that greets you with warmth and vibrancy. Here, talks, breakfasts and events take place, views are exchanged, and laughter rings out. It’s also where you can retreat from the hustle and bustle of the busy festival.

Photography by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen and Sofie Staunsager

Exhibition Partners: Ruby Atelier, Massimo Copenhagen, Farrow & Ball, Kay Bojesen, Fabric Forest, Kvadrat and Arne Aksel

Imagery courtesy of Origin Made

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TDC Curates Baya: 2024 Annual Collection Part 2

Following on from Part 1 of this two-part series, which featured the residential shoot, here in Part 2, I carried out the set design, art direction, and styling for the Baya studio shoot.

In continuation of Baya’s theme of embracing the natural environment, I wanted to create an earthy, textural backdrop for the studio. To achieve this, I chose Porters Paints Interno Lime Wash in Irish Elk. Clean lines were offset by rounded forms, while tactile finishes in stone and wood, along with sculptural objects, drew from nature. Additionally, artworks such as Greer Clayton’s 'Day is Clearing' and Rachel Wegrzyn’s 'Volcanic' series further enhanced the theme. A standout hero piece—a striking Aubergine armchair by Ligne Roset—added a touch of drama.

For this shoot, I enjoyed creating a subtle yet captivating interplay of colours and textures using Baya's beautiful range of rugs, cushions, and throws. The styling was kept minimal to highlight the intricate textures and nuances of each piece, fostering a cosy and serene setting.

As part of the TDC Curates series, Baya interviewed me for their journal, where I share more styling insights along with some of my favourite products featured in the campaign. Take a look here: TDC Curates Baya

Credits

Brand: Baya

Styling: Studio TDC

Photography: Mel Jenkins

Styling Assistant: Kirsty Dawn

Interno Lime Wash in Irish Elk: Porters Paints

Blacktop Gamble Oak, Jacobsen Traffic 250 in Pearl Grey: Flooring Xtra

Custom Sofa, Audo Plinth Cubic by Norm Architects, Custom Bedhead: Exhibit One

Ligne Roset Hemicycle Armchair by Philippe Nigro and Ligne Roset Pukka Armchair by Yabu Pushelberg: Ligne Roset NZ

Aperture Low Table and Aperture Side Table: Vertone

Vibo Vesoul Cantilever Chair by Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet, Large Antique Pot and Single Bobbin Tri-Leg Stool: Vitrine

&Tradition Lato Side table by Luca Nichetto and Gubi 9602 Floor Lamp by Paavo Tyne: Cult

Distinct Coffee Table, Filo Lamp, Oblique Stool, Bon Wooden Tray, Oyster Table Lamp all by Ferm Living, New Works Kizu Portable lamp - Rosso Levanto: Slow Store

Greer Clayton ‘Day is Clearing’: Greer Clayton / Parnell Gallery

Rosa Bowl 'East Coast', Platter/Wall Art: Author Ceramics

Artwork: Rachel Wegrzyn “Dormant 29”, Fable Ceramics Table Lamp by Tai Berdinner Blades, Amelia Fagence Balance Plinth Bowl, Hitoshi Morimoto Shirahana Vase, Large hand-built vessel by Fiona Mackay: Public Record

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