Playful Interiors And Whimsical Furniture

From the playful to the bold, these designs prove that your home can be a canvas of vibrant colours, dynamic shapes and just the right amount of kitsch. LUXUO discovers how a handful of interior designers, home decorators and furnishing brands are pushing boundaries and inviting you to reimagine your living space with fresh, fearless flair.

Gisira Hotel by Studio Gum

Under the direction of Valentina Giampiccolo and Giuseppe Minaldi, Studio GUM converted Catania’s 18th-century Asmundo di Gisira house into a boutique hotel that blends modern architecture with Sicilian legend. During their renovation, they included contemporary features like ebonised wood parquet and a skylit courtyard while maintaining the old stuccoes and frescoes. Through custom furnishings and art installations, each of the six guest rooms tells a local legend, such as the story of Proserpina or the protective veil of Saint Agata. Collaborations with artists such as Domenico Pellegrino and Rossana Taormina enhance the areas with sculptures and murals, resulting in a fully immersive cultural experience.

Jonathan Adler

American author, interior designer and potter Jonathan Adler was born in New Jersey in 1966. Adler began his first ceramics collection at Barneys New York in 1993, having studied history at Brown University and developed his ceramic abilities at the Rhode Island School of Design. He began selling home furnishings in 1998 after opening his first boutique in SoHo. From furniture to ceramics, his brand, which is defined by “modern American glamour,” combines traditional style with striking hues and patterns. Notable projects by Adler include the 50th Anniversary Barbie Dream House and the Parker Palm Springs Hotel.

MSCHF

At NYCxDesign 2025, the Brooklyn-based art collective MSCHF, renowned for its creative and provocative designs, debuted a furniture set made from recycled parts of a Mercedes-AMG vehicle. Pieces from the series include a coffee table that incorporates the car’s wheels and a chaise lounge made from the hood. MSCHF subverts conventional design conventions and blurs the distinction between art and functionality by turning automobile parts into functional furniture. This project is a perfect example of the collective’s design philosophy, which combines commonplace items with high-performance engineering to spark discussion and contemplation.

Gan Botanica Rugs

Bodo Sperlein created the Botanica collection of hand-tufted rugs for GAN, which features elaborate craftsmanship and reinterpretations of natural motifs. Every rug transforms organic shapes into elegant statement pieces that demand attention by capturing the beauty of leaves and flowers. The collection’s biophilic patterns and multi-layered textures create a clear link between indoor and outdoor environments. Botanica, an honouree in the 2025 NYCxDESIGN Awards’ Residential Rug & Carpet category, is a prime example of GAN’s dedication to fusing traditional methods with modern design.

Moooi

The Dutch design company Moooi was founded in 2001 by Marcel Wanders and Casper Vissers, and its main office is in Breda. The extra “o” in the name, which comes from the Dutch word for “beautiful,” denotes more individuality. Lighting, furniture and accessories from Moooi combine unexpected, rebellious and refined components in an eclectic combination. Working with both up-and-coming artists and well-known designers, the company prioritises uniqueness and inventiveness with the goal of producing remarkable ideas that go beyond traditional interiors.

Seletti

The Italian design company Seletti was founded in 1964 in Cicognara, Mantua and is renowned for blending art with everyday items. Working with designers like Studio Job and Marcantonio, the company has adopted a humorous and unorthodox approach under the direction of Stefano Seletti. Items from their collections, such as the Hot Dog Sofa and the Monkey Lamp, combine pop art aesthetics with practicality. Available at Journey East, Seletti’s designs challenge conventional ideas of decor, aiming to bring fun and originality into homes.

Qeeboo

Founded in Milan in 2016 by designer Stefano Giovannoni, Qeeboo is an Italian brand renowned for its creative and functional accessories and furniture. Working with global designers such as Studio Job and Nika Zupanc, Qeeboo transforms well-known symbols into whimsical, story-driven items. The brand creates multipurpose items, such as the Giraffe In Love lamp and Rabbit Chair, using recyclable polyethene. Stocked at Journey East, the goal of Qeeboo’s designs is to bring uniqueness and emotional resonance to ordinary environments by fusing pop culture and design.

Lladró

The Lladró brothers founded the Valencia-based company in 1953, and it is well-known for their handcrafted porcelain sculptures. Because talented artisans painstakingly craft each piece, it possesses a distinct character and charm. Through partnerships, the company has embraced modern design in recent years. “The Fantasy Collection” by Jaime Hayon features fanciful pieces, such as “The Rocking Chicken Ride,” which combines traditional craftsmanship with surrealism, and “The Lover,” which depicts a human figure with a bird perched on top of their head. In keeping with her unique style, Camille Walala’s addition to the “The Guest” series features geometric patterns and vibrant colours, giving the traditional figurine a contemporary spin.

Hayon’s work often incorporates elements from his past creations, such as the Green Chicken and Cactus, reimagined in porcelain to highlight the material’s expressive potential. Both artists exemplify how contemporary design can harmoniously coexist with traditional craftsmanship, resulting in pieces that are both innovative and rooted in artisanal excellence.

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