MINOTTI DESIGN TALKS

 

 

This month, our newsletter begins with a special highlight for our studio. Our founder, Monica, was invited as a panelist for the first-ever Dubai edition of Minotti Design Talks, hosted at the brand’s Jumeirah showroom on June 25th.

 

The event was beautifully curated by Galerie and coordinated by Al Tayer, bringing together leading voices from the fields of design, art, interiors and architecture. The discussions were moderated by Zen Bahar, Editor at Commercial Interior Design, who guided two engaging panels exploring themes of heritage, culture, and the future of craftsmanship.

From top left: Zen Bahar - Editor at Commercial Interior Design

 

In a world where trends shift with every scroll, the conversation highlighted the timeless value of Italian design where pieces are created as enduring legacies rather than fleeting novelties. The dialogue celebrated how craftsmanship and heritage continue to shape contemporary interiors, creating designs that remain relevant for decades.

 

Another focus was the UAE’s unique design identity, rooted not in a single tradition but in its cultural diversity. Here, designers have the freedom to create projects that weave together global influences, crafting spaces that are deeply personal and rich with layered stories.

 

 

The conversation also touched on the UAE’s unique design landscape. Unlike regions with a single, defined identity, the UAE embraces diversity. With people from all over the world calling it home, there is no fixed “local style.” Instead, it offers designers freedom and playfulness to craft truly unique projects that reflect individual stories and cultures.

 

 

Monica joined fellow creatives Leila Sobek (BMA Studio) and Yasmin Farahmandy (YDesign Interior) in the panel “Italian Heritage in Design – Beauty is a Universal Language,” exploring the role of legacy in design from Milan to the Middle East. 

 

The second panel, “A.I. Artisanal Intelligence – The Resilience of Craftsmanship,” featured Jonathan Ashmore (ANARCHITECT), Mette Degn-Christensen (Downtown Design – Art Dubai Group), Drew Gilbert (OBMI International), and Sejal Patel (Kristina Zanic Consultants). 

 

 

The takeaway was clear: no level of mass production can surpass the meaning of a piece created with intention, craftsmanship, and soul. These pieces tell stories, stories that will always resonate with those who value the truly unique.

 

We extend our gratitude to Minotti, the event organizers, and all the panelists for creating an inspiring dialogue that honours tradition while embracing the future of design.

SUMMER PROJECT

We’re thrilled to share the completion of Marrakesh, a private family home designed to grow and evolve with its owners. When we first began, the family was four; by the time the project wrapped, they had welcomed their fifth member. The brief called for more than just a functional house, it 

needed to feel like a sanctuary, a calm retreat that could hold the rhythm of everyday life while carrying a modern warmth true to the family’s personality.

 

The design started with a neutral base, creating a sense of serenity throughout the villa. From there, we layered in subtle colour accents and textures that tell the story of a home designed for living which is a balance of sophistication, softness, and playful moments for the children. 

The layout was carefully planned to encourage flow, keeping spaces open and connected, while still offering intimacy and comfort. 

 

Every corner of Marrakesh feels purposeful, thoughtfully detailed, and deeply tied to the family’s lifestyle.

The ground floor sets the tone for the villa with an open and fluid layout. Natural light filters through large openings, enhancing the feeling of airiness. The formal living and dining areas were conceived as a statement space for entertaining. Gentle curves in the architecture soften the straight lines, while carefully selected furniture brings in sculptural shapes. Natural textures such as stone surfaces, tactile fabrics, soft rugs add depth to the neutral palette. 

The space feels calm but never empty; it invites gathering while maintaining a quiet elegance.

 

In contrast, the adjoining family living area is more relaxed. Here, the finishes shift subtly like softer tones, tactile upholstery, and playful accents that make the space inviting for both adults and children. 

An integrated play zone connects seamlessly, ensuring the little ones have a dedicated corner without breaking the visual harmony of the main floor.

For the children’s play areas, we approached the design with a sense of imagination. Built-in joinery was designed at a child-friendly scale, creating cozy nooks for reading, drawing, or storing their favourite toys. We kept the palette soft and warm, avoiding overly bright colours but allowing small hints of vibrancy through accessories and artwork. 

The aim was to create an environment that felt stimulating for kids while blending naturally with the villa’s overall aesthetic.

The kitchen, often the heartbeat of a family home, was designed as both a functional workspace and a warm gathering spot. Clean lines and a minimal approach keep it visually calm, while thoughtful details such as soft-close cabinetry, integrated lighting, and curated materials that make it feel inviting. It connects naturally to the dining and family areas, reinforcing the open flow of the ground floor.

Moving upstairs, the atmosphere becomes even more intimate. The private zones of the home like bedrooms, a serene family room, and quiet transitions that carry a softer mood.

 

The family room upstairs acts as a quiet lounge, where the family can unwind together. Low, comfortable seating, layered textiles, and subtle lighting create a sense of intimacy and calm. It’s a space for late-night conversations, quiet reading, or simply slowing down.

The master suite is designed as a retreat, with layered textures in calm, earthy tones. Custom headboards and soft lighting give the room a sense of quiet luxury. In the ensuite, every detail was chosen for comfort, smooth surfaces, warm finishes, and generous storage integrated seamlessly into the design.

The nursery was designed with the newest family member in mind. A soft, soothing environment with gentle curves and subtle tones. It feels warm and welcoming without being overly themed, ensuring it will adapt as the child grows.

 

For the girls’ bedroom, we wanted to capture a sense of joy while keeping it timeless. Delicate details, playful built-ins, and soft colours bring a sense of personality without overwhelming the room. Storage solutions were integrated to keep the space organised yet full of character.

Marrakesh is a home that reflects the people who live in it. Warm, welcoming, and quietly sophisticated. From custom fit-outs designed to be child-friendly without losing their elegance, to the layered palette of textures and tones, every choice was made to create a space that feels deeply connected to the family’s story.

 

It’s a project that reminds us how design can shape the way a family lives, grows, and makes memories. 

Marrakesh is not just a villa, it’s a living space that will evolve alongside its owners, holding their moments and milestones for years to come.

This month, we’re drawn to an extraordinary residence in Medellín, Colombia, a house that redefines how architecture connects people to their surroundings. It is a powerful composition of raw materials and open space, inviting the outdoors inside while maintaining a sense of shelter and comfort.

The design celebrates the local landscape, creating a sanctuary where natural light and lush greenery shape the living experience. Elements like rough-hewn brick and exposed concrete bring a grounded honesty, while large openings frame views that shift throughout the day, turning the landscape into a living artwork within the home.

What stands out is the bold use of unfamiliar materials, showing how Colombian design pushes boundaries while respecting its environment. The layering of textures creates depth and nuance, proving that materials often seen as cold or industrial can also feel warm and welcoming when thoughtfully combined.

The spatial flow feels effortless, creating moments where indoor and outdoor living merge without losing a sense of intimacy. Every corner of the house is carefully considered, some spaces open and expansive, others more secluded, offering privacy and stillness. 

The balance between openness and enclosure makes the home feel alive, responding to its context while maintaining a strong architectural identity.

This home challenges expectations, showing how modern architecture can hold emotion and intimacy. It’s a reminder that strong, raw forms don’t have to feel impersonal, but can instead invite a connection between space, nature, and those who live within. 

 

Projects like this inspire us deeply, highlighting the beauty in exploring new materials and forms as well as how architecture can balance strength with softness to create homes that resonate.

Bastille Day has passed, but the spirit of French culture lingers far beyond a single celebration. In France, design is not just about creating a beautiful room, it’s about a way of living. It’s the quiet elegance of a Parisian apartment, the rustic soul of a Provençal farmhouse, and the grandeur of a château salon.

 

C’est ici, with a name rooted in the French spirit of here and now, finds inspiration in this balance between sophistication and ease. French interiors feel collected, storied, and alive, they are about history carried in every detail.

 

Here are some of our favourite French-inspired elements in design, timeless details that continue to shape interiors with elegance and character.

Toile de Jouy remains one of the most iconic French patterns, a true storyteller in textile form. These delicate, repeating scenes, landscapes, florals, or snapshots of daily life, are traditionally printed in a single colour on a soft background, giving them a subtle but captivating charm.

 

 In interiors, Toile finds its way onto upholstered chairs, accent walls, curtains, or even as framed textile art. It adds a layer of visual interest without overwhelming a room, making it ideal for spaces that want texture and narrative in a soft, refined way. Botanical prints, often paired with Toile or used as standalone pieces, add that same romantic touch, timeless, calming, and deeply tied to nature.

Stripes are a French staple because they’re endlessly versatile. Fine blue-and-white stripes on linen or cotton bring a soft rhythm to a space, perfect for cushions, throws, or light slipcovers. In coastal homes along the French Riviera, you’ll find bolder stripes in sun-bleached tones adorning curtains, deck chairs, or rugs, bringing structure while still feeling relaxed.

 

 In Parisian apartments, stripes often show up in quieter ways, maybe a single upholstered bench in a hallway, or a rug in muted neutrals. Stripes always bring balance: they ground a room, giving it a sense of order without feeling rigid.

 

Tall ceilings, intricate mouldings, generous windows, and herringbone parquet floors are the heart of Haussmannian architecture. In modern French interiors, these elements are never hidden, they’re celebrated. But instead of filling the space with equally ornate furniture, designers often create contrast: a sleek, sculptural sofa placed under an ornate ceiling medallion, a bold abstract painting leaning against a wall with delicate paneling. 

 

This dialogue between old and new gives French interiors their unique energy. It’s not about recreating the past but allowing history to frame modern life in a natural way.

 

French interiors are masters of restraint. Walls are often painted in soft whites, muted grays, or creamy beiges, creating a calm backdrop that lets a single bold element take the spotlight. It could be a deep navy velvet sofa, a striking piece of contemporary art, or even a richly patterned rug that instantly changes the tone of the room. 

 

This approach keeps spaces feeling timeless and flexible, you can shift the mood by changing one accent piece rather than redesigning everything.

 

The beauty of French interiors often lies in how they feel so naturally put together. Books are casually stacked on a coffee table. A simple vase holds fresh flowers without looking overly arranged. 

 

A ceramic dish on a mantle might hold little treasures collected over time. It’s intentional, but never staged. Surfaces aren’t empty, but they’re not crowded, they hold only pieces that feel meaningful. The result is a home that feels lived-in, not curated for perfection.

This summer, interiors are embracing relaxed elegance and grounded simplicity. Design is leaning toward spaces that feel lighter, more tactile, and deeply connected to nature. Whether through playful patterns, soft earthy palettes, or materials that age beautifully with time, summer trends are all about making homes feel effortless while still rich in detail.

 

We’re seeing three key directions shaping interiors this season:

Texture and pattern play that adds vibrancy and personality without feeling heavy. Calm and nature-inspired palettes that create fresh, serene spaces

Effortless indoor-outdoor flow, extending the comfort of interiors into exterior settings. At C’est ici, we’ve explored these ideas through three projects.

In Casa Mia's outdoor project, we created a true escape from reality, a space designed for unwinding and disconnecting. 

The setting features Kettal's soft, neutral outdoor furniture paired with a thoughtfully planned layout: a cozy seating lounge, a dining corner with bi-folding chairs, and a chic bar setup.

To complement this, we introduced bespoke sun-beds in vibrant summer patterns, which bring playful contrast to the muted Kettal tones.

The travertine dining table and green coffee table top tie everything together, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tones that naturally extend the interior language outdoors.

Vicarello expresses summer’s energy indoors through pattern and texture layering. Handwoven rugs, tactile upholstery, and subtle wall finishes create a lively but balanced rhythm, adding depth without overwhelming the rooms. Every detail was carefully considered to keep the space breathable, with soft neutrals grounding the more expressive prints. 

This layering brings a quiet sophistication to the home, which is vibrant enough to feel seasonal, but timeless enough to remain relevant all year round.

Tivoli in Jumeirah Islands reflects the quieter, more timeless side of summer living. Soft earthy palettes, natural materials, and clean compositions create interiors that feel calm, cool, and enduring. Gentle shifts in texture add depth without disrupting the serene atmosphere, making every room feel collected and easy to live in. It’s a home that feels effortless and grounding, offering the sense of a summer retreat while maintaining a sophisticated, year-round appeal.

 

Together, these projects show how summer trends don’t need to feel fleeting. Whether through vibrant layering, serene simplicity, or a seamless connection to the outdoors, each one reflects a way of living that feels fresh for the season while remaining timeless beyond it.

In our recent collaboration with Jotun, we embraced the opportunity to merge color and concept in a manner that felt both innovative and deeply connected to the region's heritage. 

Commissioned to develop three distinct styling themes that would complement selected Jotun shades, our objective was to craft environments that not only showcased the richness of the palette but also resonated with an Arabian-inspired aesthetic.

 

Drawing inspiration from the earthy neutrals and deep desert tones characteristic of the Arab world, each color story was meticulously paired with thoughtfully curated styling elements, textures, and accessories. 

 

This approach resulted in settings that felt simultaneously modern and soulful, reflecting the warmth and hospitality intrinsic to the region's culture.

Our design philosophy centered on allowing the colors to take the lead, with the styling serving to enhance their impact through elevated simplicity, the use of natural materials, and layered detailing. 

The outcome was a collection that exuded warmth, grounding, and the unmistakable touch of C’est ici.

 

This collaboration not only celebrated the rich cultural tapestry of the Arab region but also demonstrated how thoughtful design can bridge tradition and contemporary aesthetics, resulting in spaces that are both evocative and timeless.