April 21, 2024It’s hard to believe, but once upon a time, the now globally renowned decorating talent Brigitta Spinocchia Freund had no interest in interior design.
“My parents and my grandparents were always in property development, so there was something subliminal there,” she says. “But I had no ambition to be an interior designer, and I’ve no formal training, so it was a steep learning curve. I’ve made mistakes along the way, but that’s all been part of the process.”
She counts more successes than mistakes, to be sure. With a portfolio that includes hundreds of luxury projects, from commercial, hospitality and residential spaces to such one-off ventures as custom yachts, a palace and a bombardier jet, she now has more than two dozen years of design experience behind her, and she employs a skilled team of 27 creatives working on a raft of international projects out of her London studio.
Plotting out interiors is her passion, but Spinocchia Freund — a member of this year’s just-announced 1stDibs 50 — also relishes collaborating with clients on a more personal level.
“Getting to understand how somebody lives and the interactions we have with our clients are so nourishing,” she says. “The relationships we build over time are why I love what I do.”
One recent project in particular required her to make use of those interpersonal and relationship-building skills. An escape from London for a well-traveled couple and their whippet, the contemporary four-bedroom house, built around a decade ago in Berkshire in the south of England, was in desperate need of a redesign and an injection of personality.
“When we arrived, it was just a shell and completely lacking in character,” she says. “It was a real ‘get in there and generate the right kind of energy’ task. The clients were keen to create a comfortable home away from home where they could entertain and invite guests for the weekend. Working with them to elevate the property was an exciting and challenging process.”
The couple also wanted her to ensure that its large rooms would feel cozy when they were at home by themselves. “They needed to have nooks where they could sit without feeling like they were rattling around in an enormous space,” says Spinocchia Freund. “We addressed this by color blocking areas and introducing a lot of walnut paneling to create an inviting feel. The palette brings in greens and blues from the garden, which is something they were very keen to do. And as soon as we added color to the scheme, it began to take shape.”
Vintage and other highly collectible pieces, of which the owners are aficionados, were also crucial in terms of creating a homely but sophisticated vibe. “They love both Scandinavian and mid-century design, which sits well with the house’s minimal aesthetic,” says the designer. “Although they knew what they wanted, we also came with our ideas, and together, we were able to curate a wonderful assortment of pieces for them, many sourced on 1stDibs.”
The living area, which does double and triple duty as a library and media room, is home to a sculptural Wiggle stool by Frank Gehry and Utrecht armchairs by Gerrit Rietveld. These sit comfortably next to a generous bespoke sofa upholstered in Proust velvet by Dedar, a custom Le Corbusier–inspired rug and a pair of Terra Onyx sconces from L’Aviva Home.
The walls are wrapped entirely in Paolo Moschino‘s textural Boiserie Radica Ulivo wallcovering for Nicholas Haslam, while the newly installed parquet flooring, doors, window frames and baseboards help to unify the ground level and create a pleasing flow.
In the serene, light-filled drawing room, a Bigfoot cork and mahogany coffee table by Paul Frankl takes center stage, along with a pair of vintage Gio Ponti–style chairs, two bespoke wingbacks upholstered in luxurious mohair and a custom rug inspired by an artwork by Francis Bacon.
At the opposite end of the space, a bespoke marble-topped games table pairs well with another custom rug, this one based on a vintage 1960s design modified to include the client’s initials. This pleasing combination of curvaceous furniture, refined color and understated pattern brings some much needed softness to what was a rather boxy and nondescript room.
Yet another area in which to kick back and relax, the light-filled garden room has a laid-back feel thanks to a canary-yellow statement sofa by Fabrice Juan and a plethora of verdant houseplants. The pair of tactile sheepskin chairs and mid-century wicker tripod stools by Tony Paul were sourced on 1stDibs. The custom-made floor-to-ceiling shelving is home to a turntable and the couple’s extensive vinyl collection.
“They’re obsessed with plants, and they really love their music,” says Spinocchia Freund. “The bold color and vibrancy of the materials here was heavily led by the clients. It totally reflects their characters, and they just wanted to go for it.”
Adjacent to the garden room, the kitchen blends into the dining area, which is encased in walnut paneling, to visually compress the substantial space. “The inspiration came from John Lautner–style modernist developments in L.A. The clients have traveled to California a lot, and they love that type of architecture,” Spinocchia Freund says. The walnut dining table, sofa-style benches and plush rug were all custom-made.
Upstairs, the main suite is also clad in walnut. It features a cantilevered bed and cabinets as well as built-in shelving, constructed not just for practical purposes but to add warmth to the lofty bedroom.
In the bathroom, a Crittall shower enclosure is a smart accompaniment to hand-fired Japanese pencil tiles, a terrazzo floor and a deep-green marble countertop. Above the spacious vanity, Spinocchia Freund installed a Serge Mouille wall light at the request of the client.
Authentic and fit for its purpose, like the rest of the collectible pieces in the house, this sconce aligns with the client’s brief to prioritize elegant and functional design. “As with all of our projects, we’ve tried to ensure that eighty percent of the items used are vintage, as of course, it’s a more sustainable approach than buying brand-new,” says Spinocchia Freund. “Each of the pieces brings something different to the table. And what we love, as do the clients, is that they’re filled with charm and character thanks to their previous life.”
