To celebrate the launch of Effetto, interior designer Shalini Misra has curated a collection of her stand-out pieces from the marketplace

Interior designer Shalini Misra is a leading light of British high-end design. Her award-winning London studio delivers luxury interiors for residential developments from New York to Dubai, and their work includes commercial design for high-end offices, boutique hotels, restaurants and exhibition spaces. Misra has a particular interest in the ability of interior design to foster positive lifestyles, and of using spaces and pieces to impact moods and emotions. Here, she shares her first curated collection of items chosen from Effetto, and explains the thinking behind her choices:

“My intention was to curate a collection that demonstrates how antique, vintage and contemporary pieces can sit together harmoniously – in fact, fantastically. I wanted to select pieces that were strong enough to stand alone, but that could fit sleekly into a contemporary setting. I also chose pieces that are interestingly crafted, using beautiful materials, and that show a distinct style from design history.”

Misra continues: “Craftsmanship is very important to me, so any piece that shows the utmost skill is appealing. For example, the 19th century Jamaican metaphoric table has such stunning woodwork – the detailing and pattern have been created with impressive skill. The Metaphora 3 coffee table shows three beautiful types of marble in pure striking forms, and the Alvar Aalto chair has sinuous curving arms, which are created by carefully bending the wood. They are all very different but what they have in common is design integrity, exquisite making, and enduring quality. 

“I especially love mid-century pieces as they are really well-designed for longevity. They have a timelessness about them that can fit into any scheme. Using furniture and lighting that already exists – in other words, vintage and antique – is one of the best things we can do to choose responsibly and become more sustainable.”

Finally, Misra shares some advice on how to style vintage and antique pieces in a modern space: “Look at the materials in your space and choose pieces that sit together well material-wise. If you have a standout piece of furniture or lighting, let it be the protagonist by giving it space and not crowding it with several other standout pieces together. Don’t cluster vintage or antique pieces together – place them throughout your space so they fit seamlessly into the interior.”