Page 43 - Designing Ways 302
P. 43
Marianne Tiegen welcomes spring with Dressing an outdoor table, regardless dialogue between eras creates richness aesthetic. It is also an environmental
of the season, is part of that philosophy.
commitment. Their bespoke furniture
and personality. In fact, when designing
outdoor spaces designed for living A dining table might feature a Médicis homes, the outdoor environment is is made from materials that are fully
biodegradable, further strengthening the
cast-iron urn filled with an arrangement
always part of the process from the very
gathered from the garden, the surrounding beginning. Her studio's mood boards link between design and nature.
Where architecture opens outward and nature becomes part of the home landscape, or from a good flower shop always include plants and outdoor
using seasonal flowers. Small terracotta imagery for every room, ensuring the Designing for Place
pots with seasonal plants or herbs might house feels like a refuge, an oasis where Each project calls for a distinct approach
also be placed along the table. nature is gently invited indoors. shaped by its surroundings. A home in
The same elements can appear both the mountains, in the heart of a city, or by
inside and outside, reinforcing the Connecting Nature Through Fabric the ocean should feel naturally anchored
dialogue between the home and the One of the studio's most distinctive to its environment. With studios in Paris,
garden. Terracotta pots filled with bulbs approaches to bringing nature inside lies Verbier, and Los Angeles, the Marianne
in winter and spring are another favorite in its fabrics. About half of the textiles Tiegen team approaches each location
detail, bringing a subtle sense of nature used in their upholstery are dyed using through its own lens, beginning with a
into both spaces. a unique plant-based dyeing process. deep understanding of the region's native
These small gestures also ensure that The remaining fabrics are left undyed, flora and landscape.
an outdoor dining table always feels celebrating the natural tones of materials A balcony in Verbier, for example,
ready for an impromptu alfresco meal. such as natural wool, linen, and hemp. might feature chunky furniture and stone-
Marianne often uses naturally dyed Plant-dyed fabric walls are sometimes topped tables like those by Sempre. Often,
tablecloths inspired by the colours of the incorporated as well, reinforcing the these pieces are custom-made with local
season, allowing the table to feel alive and connection between the interior and the carpenters using reclaimed wood.
connected to its environment. natural world. The patina of these materials gives
The team is also developing a natural newly built furniture a timeless quality
Mixing Old and New water-repellent treatment for these fabrics that blends naturally with the surrounding
Outdoor furniture follows the same to allow them to perform outdoors. In the landscape.
philosophy of thoughtful contrast. meantime, clients who wish to use interior Unexpected pieces can also bring
Marianne enjoys pairing 19th-century fabrics outside can apply water-repellent character. A florist's potting bench
garden furniture, such as Arras chairs solutions themselves, provided they placed in a mountain chalet, for example,
and benches, with more contemporary carefully follow the product instructions. introduces an element of surprise,
pieces from brands like Tectona. The Using natural materials is not just something singular that sparks curiosity.
dw • Issue 302 43

