Spending money on furniture and interior design is the logical consequence of growing up. Gaetano Irpinio and his Studio Irpinio ensure that dream homes become reality.
FACES: You are an interior designer. What does your work involve?
Gaetano Irpinio: Essentially, it’s about understanding my customers, picking them up, listening to them and implementing their needs and wishes.
F: You learned your trade in Milan, where many fashion brands come from and where major design events such as Fashion Week and the Salone del Mobile take place. Do Italians have better access to design?
Gaetano Irpinio: It’s true, I learned the trade in Milan from Antonio Citterio, among others. This has shaped me a lot and is also reflected in my projects. Unfortunately, there are no real interior designers in Switzerland, and the term is not a protected professional title in this country. The result is a lot of hobby interior designers, which I think is a shame. There are many very good architecture firms, but they have little or no flair for interior design. This is why we are very often consulted on projects in collaboration with architectural firms.
F: What characterizes Italian design?
Gaetano Irpinio: Nowadays you have to be open to the world, and it’s no longer just a matter of putting Italian design in the foreground.
From the design to the execution of the interior construction
F: What does Studio Irpinio offer?
Gaetano Irpinio: Our services range from the design to the execution of the interior fittings. We produce through our own factory in Italy, which has the advantage that our customers only have one point of contact and receive everything from a single source.
F: How do you proceed with a request, and what does the further realization process look like?
Gaetano Irpinio: First of all, there are meetings with the customers to gather information about how they live, whether they have children or pets, what their wishes are and what they like or don’t like. Taking all this information into account, we develop the interior design step by step, from the room layout and materials to the fixtures and fittings such as the kitchen or cupboards.
F: Which request from your clients has been the most unusual so far and why?
Gaetano Irpinio: Every project has its own story, and there is nothing unusual or special, anything can be realized. That’s what makes our work so exciting.
F: Which is more difficult: meeting your client’s expectations or your own?
Gaetano Irpinio: The most difficult thing is that I always criticize myself.
Q: Walk-in closets, smart kitchens, spa areas: what are the most common requests?
Gaetano Irpinio: We are active in the high-end and luxury sector. These areas all come together here. There are no limits.
The spa area at The Chedi in Andermatt
F: What has been your biggest project so far?
Gaetano Irpinio: We were able to realize many large and interesting private residences for well-known personalities as well as exciting projects for developers. The spa area at The Chedi in Andermatt may not be the largest, but it is certainly one that everyone knows.
F: Which project fills you with the most pride?
Gaetano Irpinio: Each of our projects is individual and exciting, so every project fills me with pride.
F: What is more important for your work: creativity or technical understanding?
Gaetano Irpinio: It takes a combination of both to realize a good project.
Speaking of trends
F: Where is the trend in interior design heading?
Gaetano Irpinio: For me, there is no trend – interior design should be sustainable and timeless.
F: What furniture or interior design is worth spending real money on, and where can you save money?
Gaetano Irpinio: For everything that is permanently installed, it is worth spending money. With movable items such as chairs, for example, you can definitely save costs. However, it is the mix that counts.
F: What do you think of Feng Shui?
Gaetano Irpinio: Feng shui is very important. This is always taken into account and integrated into our room planning.
F: What makes a successful home for you?
Gaetano Irpinio: If you feel comfortable and your home is an oasis of calm and a place to recharge your batteries, then you’ve done everything right.
Gaetano Irpinio’s design? Coherent, sustainable, timeless
F: Your golden rule for successful interior design?
Gaetano Irpinio: It should be coherent and, above all, sustainable and timeless.
F: In terms of interior design, what’s the worst mistake you can make?
Gaetano Irpinio: Poor floor plans and processes are among the worst mistakes, as they have to be well thought out. In addition: rooms that are too cluttered and too dark and too little light.
F: How important is it to bring in an interior designer when building a home?
Gaetano Irpinio: The architect is responsible for the outer shell and the interior designer for the interior. The combination of both is essential.
SLIDE – a smart living solution
F: Living space and areas are limited. Are there special concepts for small households?
Gaetano Irpinio: Together with our studio, we developed the product “SLIDE – a smart living solution”. This is a new, modular and urban living system that uses a technology that makes it easy to adapt the existing room dimensions. Whether a spacious living room or a roomy bedroom: both can be adapted in seconds with SLIDE.
F: What does your own home look like?
Gaetano Irpinio: My home is tailored to the needs of my family and me. We have created a place where we feel comfortable and can retreat.
Looking for cool ideas for a beautiful home? Then take a look at interior influencer Sarah Hartmann, or find our selection of the most beautiful designer chairs for your living room here .
How does interior designer Gaetano Irpinio live? Take a look here.
Photos: © Studio Irpinio
