Spain (Page 4)

Spain’s decorative arts are a rich tapestry woven from diverse cultural influences and historical epochs. From the intricate Mudéjar designs blending Islamic and Christian elements to the opulent Plateresque façades of the Renaissance, Spanish decorative arts reflect a confluence of traditions and innovations. The country’s legacy includes vibrant ceramics from Talavera and Seville, exquisite textiles and embroidery, and masterful metalwork and jewellery. Institutions like Madrid’s Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas and Valencia’s Museo Nacional de Cerámica y Artes Suntuarias “González Martí” preserve and showcase this heritage. Contemporary Spanish design continues to evolve, drawing inspiration from historical motifs and reinterpreting them innovatively.

Ross Lovegrove ( b.1958) British Furniture and Product Designer

Ross Lovegrove, a renowned British product designer, integrates nature-inspired forms into his user-focused furniture and industrial designs, gaining international acclaim for his innovative work.Read More →

Antonio Zanussi featured image

Zanussi Italian manufacturer and design firm

Antonio Zanussi founded a household appliance firm in 1916, evolving from stove repair to innovative designs, merging with Electrolux in 1984, and producing groundbreaking appliances.Read More →

Jordi Veciana Spanish Industrial Designer

Jordi Veciana is a Barcelona-born designer influenced by the cultural environment of the 1970s, known for his work with light and innovative design concepts.Read More →

Barcelona Chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Barcelona Chair Designed as a Throne

The Barcelona chair is one of the best things that the German-American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe made.Read More →

Metalarte wall sconce

Metalarte – Spanish Lighting Firm

Metalarte, a Spanish lighting company owned by the Riera family, has a rich history in producing avant-garde lighting since the 1960s.Read More →

Toshiyuki Kita (b.1942) Japanese Furniture and Interior Designer

Toshiyuki Kita, a renowned Japanese designer, promotes traditional crafts while creating innovative furniture. He has received numerous international awards and contributes to design collaborations globally.Read More →

MONI Shelves

Carme Pinós Spanish Architect and Designer

Carme Pinós, an acclaimed architect known for her innovative and thoughtful designs, has received numerous awards and accolades for her exceptional contributions to architecture.Read More →

Gaulino Table - Walnut by Oscar Tusquets Blanca

Oscar Tusquets Blanca – Spanish Painter, Architect and Designer

Oscar Tusquets Blanca is a Spanish painter, architect and designer. He was born and is professionally active in Barcelona, Spain.Read More →

Javier Mariscal, a name of flair, A Spanish designer beyond compare.

Javier Mariscal: Designing the New Spain

Javier Mariscal is a renowned Spanish designer celebrated for his vibrant and innovative creations across various fields, including furniture, graphics, and textiles, leaving a lasting legacy.Read More →

Javier Mariscal (b.1950) Spanish Designer and Graphic Artist

Javier Mariscal is a Spanish designer. He was born in Valencia. He is professionally active in Barcelona. He studied at the Escuela de Grafismo Elisava, Barcelona, to 1971.Read More →

View Essential Reading in Decorative Arts

Material Culture in the Social World — Tim Dant
The Design Encyclopedia — Mel Byars & Terence Riley
The Craftsman — Richard Sennett
The Classical Language of Architecture — John Summerson
Scandinavian Design (45th ed.) — Charlotte & Peter Fiell
A History of Interior Design — John Pile & Judith Gura
World History of Design, Vol. 2 — Victor Margolin
The Grammar of Ornament — Owen Jones
Decorative Arts: Style and Design from Classical to Contemporary — Judith Miller
The Penguin Dictionary of Decorative Arts — John Fleming & Hugh Honour