A SHORT INTERVIEW WITH BARBARA GEVAERTS


I AM...
Barbara Gevaerts
, a painter and illustrator.

I DO...
making things with paint, pencil, crayon and more… 










CHILDHOOD TO ME IS...

innocence, joy, fun, safe.  

IMAGINATION TO ME IS...
everything, I’d be lost without.  

MY FAVOURITE OBJECT IS...
my kids artwork in our home.

MY FAVOURITE COLOUR IS...
blue, always and at the moment pink.

MY FAVOURITE 3 IG PROFILES ARE...

@juliusrobert
@sarahmanolescueartist
@home__stead


BARBARA GEVAERTS

At unduetrestella, we are always searching for artists who bring something poetic, personal, and powerful into children’s spaces. We’re proud to introduce you Barbara Gevaerts, a talented Dutch illustrator whose creative journey began with a deep love for drawing, painting, and storytelling. Her first project, Lieve, was a children’s magazine full of tenderness and imagination. From there, she developed a delicate collection of prints and posters, now shipped worldwide and sold in selected concept stores in the Netherlands and beyond.

Recently, her work has expanded to include acrylic and oil painting on canvas and wood panels. Her latest pieces blend gesso, acrylic, and oil—bringing softness and depth to themes of motherhood, daily life, and the beauty of nature.
We love her ability to turn quiet moments into timeless artworks that speak to both children and adults.

A SHORT INTERVIEW WITH MATYAS BARAK


I AM...
Matyáš Barak
.

I DO...
I am a designer and teacher, and a weekend barista. 






CHILDHOOD TO ME IS...

for me a time of freedom and creativity, but also of discovering limits and learning to rely on myself.  

IMAGINATION TO ME IS...
a joyful space of possibilities, where connections and new ideas can emerge.  

MY FAVOURITE OBJECT IS...
my reusable coffee cup. It’s yellow, made from recyclable plastic, and it makes me happy to carry it around the city.

MY FAVOURITE COLOUR IS...
I can’t choose just one favorite color, but I love saturated, primary colors like yellow, red, and blue.

MY FAVOURITE 3 IG PROFILES ARE...

@crosbystudios
@thisispapermag
@jillianturecki 


TRIPUS BY MATYAS BARAK

Designed by Matyáš Barák, TRIPUS is more than just a seat — it’s a sculptural public furniture piece that offers both function and quiet refuge. The newest (and tallest) member of the Tripus family, it invites one person at a time to pause, sit, and reconnect with their surroundings. Crafted from industrial gas pipes with a plywood seat and integrated LED lighting, TRIPUS transforms throughout the day: from a lookout spot by daylight to a softly lit reading space at night.

Photos by Anna-Marie Křížová and Vladimír Barák.

AMIA BY MINIFORMS

Refined yet full of character, Amia is the latest upholstered chair from Miniforms. Its sleek, expressive lines are softened by rounded joints, revealing a design that balances practicality with quiet elegance. Thoughtfully crafted, Amia’s crossed legs create a subtly squared backrest—its signature detail. With its minimalist attitude and distinctive silhouette, Amia is a modern chair made for contemporary interiors. Discover the beauty of simplicity, reimagined.

CALENDAR PROJECT BY ZEBEDEE HELM FOR AMO

Launching this December on AMO by Ambra Medda, the new calendar project by Zebedee Helm blends sharp humor with the charm of hand-drawn illustration. Known for his playful and intelligent work, Helm brings a fresh take on the passing of time—month by month. True to AMO’s mission of celebrating experimental design and handmade tradition, this limited-edition calendar is a testament to craftsmanship, storytelling, and objects made to last. Stay tuned—something delightful is coming soon.

CRADLE BIN BY HOUSE OF RORO

At first glance, it’s a bedside table. Flip it, and it becomes a doll cradle that gently rocks. Turn it again, and you’ve got a sturdy toy bin. The Cradle Bin by House of RoRo is the kind of clever, multi-functional design every modern family needs. Made from high-quality birch plywood and available unfinished, finished natural, or in any of the brand’s signature colors, this piece is as beautiful as it is versatile. Whether you use it as a planter, laundry bin, party bar, or snack station, it adapts effortlessly to your space and lifestyle. Thoughtfully designed and ethically made in Canada, it’s a sustainable choice that’s built to last—just like all the best ideas.

A SHORT INTERVIEW WITH MARINA EFIMOVA


I AM...
Marina Efimova
, a designer who turns furniture into art objects.



I DO...

create sofas with interchangeable art covers pieces that carry energy and transform spaces.




CHILDHOOD TO ME IS...
pure creativity, scribbles on desks, graffiti on walls, the courage to draw without rules.

IMAGINATION TO ME IS...
a language beyond words it shapes spaces, forms, and emotions.  

MY FAVOURITE OBJECT IS...
a sofa because it is sculpture and comfort, art and life at the same time.

MY FAVOURITE COLOUR IS...
khaki the color of life, nature, and freedom.

MY FAVOURITE 3 IG PROFILES ARE...
@yellowtrace for its bold and progressive take on design.
@ignant for an aesthetic that bridges art, architecture, and photography.
@dezeen for global inspiration in architecture and interiors.


MARYEEFI

MARYEEFI is a design-driven furniture brand where sofas become expressive art objects. Each piece is crafted with purpose: bold shapes, original fabric prints, and sculptural forms that transform interiors into personal galleries. Founded with the idea that furniture can speak, MARYEEFI releases limited drops twice a year, with production based in China and strict manual quality control. Which is your favourite?

GIOCO AT TRIENNALE MILANO

Triennale Milano introduces Gioco, a brand-new creative space for children inside the renovated Piano Parco. Open daily from Tuesday to Sunday, Gioco is designed for kids of all ages to play, explore, and create — freely or through guided workshops. Designed by AR.CH.IT Luca Cipelletti with furnishings by French studio smarin, Gioco features sustainable, modular furniture that adapts to different uses: from play areas to quiet corners or learning zones. Gioco is part of Triennale’s mission to make culture more inclusive and accessible for families. Bravo!

LEXON X JEFF KOONS

Lexon x Jeff Koons brings playful artistry straight into your home with two striking, limited-edition designs: the Balloon Dog Speaker and Balloon Dog Lamp. These pieces reinterpret the iconic reflective silhouette of Koons’ Balloon Dog through translucent, optical-grade polycarbonate, seamlessly blending form, function, and fun. Each object features the artist’s signature engraving and includes a certificate of authenticity, making them both functional home accessories and collectible art pieces. The lamp offers dimmable LED illumination in a spectrum of colors with Lexon's Easy Sync technology for coordinating multiple units, while the speaker delivers immersive 360° sound with built-in Bluetooth and microphones. This collaboration marks an innovative fusion of high art and accessible design, allowing you to experience Koons’ sculptural vision in everyday life. Beautiful!

PRUDENCE DUDAN

Prudence Dudan is a French artist born in 1985. Her work explores the tension between image and language, using drawing, photography, sculpture, and even music as tools of expression. Educated at ENSAD Paris and Sciences Po, she creates subtle, conceptual collages that question perception and meaning. Her unique visual language transforms disorder into poetic form. Dudan has exhibited in France, Spain, and the United States, standing out for her ability to blur the boundaries between mediums.

WHAT NELSON SEES BY PAUL COCKSEDGE STUDIO

As part of London Design Festival 2025, designer Paul Cocksedge unveils What Nelson Sees in collaboration with Google Arts & Culture. Installed in Trafalgar Square, the project uses Google’s AI-powered filmmaking tool Flow to recreate the unique view from atop Nelson’s Column—offering the public a powerful, never-before-seen perspective on London. Do not miss it!

Photo credit: Mark Cocksedge

A SHORT INTERVIEW WITH LUIS GIMENO


I AM...
Luis Gimeno
, a furniture and lighting designer based in Barcelona.



I DO...

I design objects and furniture that bring warmth, playfulness, and a sense of care into people’s everyday lives.



CHILDHOOD TO ME IS...
a time of endless curiosity, where every object could become a toy and every corner an adventure. It’s the place where imagination first started shaping the way I see the world — full of colors, textures, and stories. Childhood to me is a treasure chest that I often return to for inspiration, because it reminds me of the joy of creating without limits.  

IMAGINATION TO ME IS...
the spark that turns ideas into possibilities. It’s like an invisible tool that allows me to dream beyond function and find new ways of making objects speak to people. Imagination is both freedom and play, but also a guide — it pushes me to keep experimenting, learning, and challenging what design can be.  

MY FAVOURITE OBJECT IS...
designing lamps is always a joyful process for me — I love experimenting with light and color, and there’s something deeply satisfying about seeing how they transform a space.

MY FAVOURITE COLOUR IS...
a soft orange, calming but full of energy.

MY FAVOURITE 3 IG PROFILES ARE...

@nendo_official
@megosu
@sam_does_design


TELO CHAIR BY LUIS GIMENO

Telois a standout chair designed by Barcelona-based designer Luis Gimeno, known for his playful yet functional approach to furniture and lighting. Rooted in organic forms and the bold aesthetics of 1960s and 70s design, Telo  embodies both visual charm and timeless utility. Gimeno emphasizes quality craftsmanship and low-impact production, favoring bespoke pieces over mass-produced items. With its expressive silhouette, harmonious color palette, and sustainable values, Telo reflects designer-forward living that’s both creative and conscience-driven, WOW!

PICCOLI RAZIONALISTI AT THE ASILO SANT'ELIA

As part of the Lake Como Design Festival 2025, opening on September 14, visitors will have the rare opportunity to explore the iconic Asilo Sant’Elia in Como, a masterpiece of Italian Rationalist architecture designed by Giuseppe Terragni between 1935 and 1937. This historic building will host a special video installation of Piccoli Razionalisti curated by Wonderlake Como in collaboration with the Accademia dei Piccoli Artisti.
The project involved over 1,400 primary school students from Como and its province during the 2024/25 school year, guiding them through a creative exploration of Rationalist landmarks across the region. The initiative now continues with a new chapter: Città Razionalista. This expanded program aims to engage over 2,500 citizens of all ages through tailored educational activities and guided visits to key examples of Larian Rationalism. Don’t miss this inspiring fusion of architecture, education, and community at Asilo Sant’Elia, one of the cultural highlights of Lake Como Design Festival 2025.

577 CHAIRS THE CITIZENS' HEMICYCLE BY STUDIO 5.5

As part of Paris Design Week 2025, designers Claire Renard and Jean-Sébastien Blanc (Studio 5.5) present 577 Chairs – The Citizens’ Hemicycle, a monumental installation of 577 unique, upcycled chairs, in collaboration with leboncoin.
Installed in the courtyard of the National Archives Museum, this symbolic hemicycle reflects the 577 seats of the French National Assembly. Each chair represents a citizen’s voice, marked with powerful words like “freedom,” “diversity,” and “resistance.”
More than a design project, it’s a manifesto for democracy, encouraging dialogue and reflection in a time of fragile freedoms.

photo credits : Audoin Desforges

BELA & ELIS BY SONNHILD KESTLER FOR DESIGNERCARPETS

BELA & ELIS are two hand-knotted rugs designed by Sonnhild Kestler for DESIGNERCARPETS – DRECHSLE. Made from Tibetan wool and crafted in Kathmandu, these fair-trade carpets blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary storytelling. Each rug features expressive shapes and colors that invite personal interpretation. Their gender-neutral names and artistic design turn them into more than home decor—they become emotional centerpieces. Designed to inspire, made to last, and created with care, we love BELA & ELIS, a celebration of sustainable design and visual storytelling.

Photo credit: Markus Ruf

A SHORT INTERVIEW WITH FLORIAN & STEPHAN


WE ARE...
two creative minds (Flo & Stephan) who never stopped thinking like children. We are explorers, makers, and idealists – driven by the mission to create a play world that truly gives something back to children: freedom, self-efficacy, and imagination.

WE DO...
We design products that empower children. With bygge, we create spaces where kids can learn, grow, and express themselves through play. We believe that sustainable design, high quality, and truly open-ended play are the best foundations for development.

CHILDHOOD TO US IS...
...a time full of possibilities, adventures, and wild ideas. Childhood is about being allowed to take things apart just to put them back together in a new way. It’s about asking “What if…?” instead of “This is how it’s done.”

IMAGINATION TO US IS...
...the most important superpower of childhood – and probably also of adulthood. It’s limitless, inclusive, and the source of every innovation. Without imagination, there would be no bygge – and no future worth striving for.

OUR FAVOURITE OBJECT IS...
A single LILLE block. It may sound simple – but this one piece represents everything we want bygge to stand for: from very little, something big can grow. Today it’s a gear wheel, tomorrow it’s a dinosaur or a spaceship.

OUR FAVOURITE COLOUR IS...
Ocean – the perfect blend of calm and depth, just like the feeling when children are fully immersed in play. And, admittedly: Ocean goes beautifully with every other colour in the set.