Italian designer Paola Navone is one of COMO’s greatest inspirations. She’s worked as an architect, art director, critic and teacher for luxury brands around the world, including Armani and Swarovski.
Paola is also the talent behind a number of our resorts worldwide, including COMO Point Yamu in Phuket. Her bold and innovative designs accent our clifftop resort, from the eye-catching installation art outside Nahmyaa, to the shimmering private dining room and more. She is also behind the Art Deco interiors of COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach in Florida, and the grand designs of COMO Castello Del Nero in her home country of Italy.
We catch up with her from Milan as she shares some home décor advice on how to find inspiration, make design decisions and unleash creativity…
Do you have any advice for budding home designers?
Look around with new eyes, as if you are travelling to a new destination. Try something different – if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t matter. Nothing is permanent
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Is less really more when it comes to design?
Less is always more – an important statement. How much less is a very personal decision.
Natural colours or bright and bold?
I personally find that white environments always calm me. I like colour in furniture and a splash on the walls. You don’t need to think intellectually when it comes to choosing colour: pick freely. You just need to be sure the colour you go for is sympathetic with your feelings. Don’t worry about making a mistake, you can always repaint!
When it comes to décor, what one item should we all have?
Nothing decorative is ever essential. Choose only what resonates with you.
Is bigger better when it comes to artwork?
For me, when I choose artwork it’s because it’s breath-taking: it’s love at first sight. If I don’t love it immediately, why would I want it on my walls? Artwork is anything that makes you feel joy: it can be a small piece of craft hung on the back of a door or a big piece of beautiful indigo paint on a white wall.
Should we go green?
Plants and flowers give life to our living spaces. Add as many as you can. But look after your greenery – they are living things and deserve special care.
Do you believe in the adage ‘tidy room, tidy mind’?
The opposite. I believe if your mind is tidy, you can live in a mess. As long as you can see through your own clutter, it’s no longer clutter.
How should we find inspiration?
Inspiration is everywhere – in the book you are reading, in a late-night movie, in a drawer you have not opened for a long time. Look and you’ll be inspired.
Any final tips to help us unleash our creativity?
Experiment and have fun. One day, try covering everything with white fabric and enjoy the calm feeling it brings. The next day, repaint a piece of old furniture with a colour you’ve always wanted to try. After that, spend a day focused on your bathroom – decorating it in a way that makes you happy. Try new things and don’t be shy. It’s your house, your rules.
PICTURED — DESIGNER PAOLA NAVONE’S CREATIVE WORK AT COMO CASTELLO DEL NERO
