“I feel that we are now so much more free—more than we ever were,” says Francis Sultana of how interiors are changing and, with that, our perception of them. “Interiors and home decoration (just like fashion in the 1960s) have become liberated.” Liberated certainly describes the attitude with which Sultana designs his interiors. His furniture designs (he just released a 10th anniversary Marie Francois Collection) are unmatched in their creativity. They also sell for double their original value at auction these days making him one of the world's most sought-after furniture designers. By way of projects, his 16-strong team are currently working on a London flagship jewellery store in Berkeley Square, a museum in Hong Kong and an estate near Cannes.
Francis Sultana Featured in AD100 AD, JANUARY 2020
The studio were thrilled to be, once again, featured in Architectural Digest magazine's AD100. It's even more special for 2020 as it's the 100th anniversary issue and we are honoured to be one of just a handful of UK studios to be featured. Francis says: "It is always such a huge accolade to appear in the AD100 list, I would like to thank Amy and all the team for their support over the past year."
AD, January 2020
Kirstie's Handmade Christmas
Many people say Kirstie's Handmade Christmas on Channel 4 heralds the beginning of the festive season. Francis was delighted to be invited by Kirstie Allsop to join her for the launch show of this festive favourite as the VIP judge for Christmas Tree Decorating. Francis also appeared again on the show to judge the Table Decorating episode where he showed Kirstie how to re-use and up-cycle vintage jewellery into stunning table centrepieces.
Watch the episode on Channel 4: Here
Launch of Francis Sultana: Designs & Interiors and Marie Francois Collection
Francis launched his debut book Francis Sultana: Designs & Interiors, at David Gill Gallery surrounded by friends and clients. The book investigates Francis Sultana's work as an interior and furniture designer, celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the studio and highlights his important professional achievements with interior design projects across the globe.
Alongside the book, a special collection of furniture was also launched, entitled Marie-Francois, after Francis's much beloved late mother. The collection of furniture features many of Francis's design signatures of natural and highly crafted materials such as cast bronze and carved wood. .
The book’s editor, author and design expert Bronwyn Cosgrave, arrived from New York to help celebrations which culminated in a stunning dinner at Harry’s.
Conversations In Design
Francis was delighted to be invited to talk today at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour as part of the ‘Conversations in Design’ series.
Hosted by Financial Times How To Spend It, Francis and design writer Charlotte Abrahams discussed the past ten years of the studio as well as Francis’s career, growing up in Malta and then at David Gill Gallery. Francis explained his own design processes, how he approaches interior design and how he works with his clients. They also discussed how he interprets contemporary art and design. “It’s all about balance - art is supposed to be challenging - you mustn’t be afraid of it and you have to embrace it - it’s exciting!” Francis continued: “Home should be a place of comfort and refuge not an minimal art gallery. Design has to function.” He continues “I remember what Zara said to me... Always experiment and believe you are doing wonderful work.
Charlotte asked Franics about the influence of Art Deco on his work. “Jean Michael Frank is one of my most important Influences - both the way he worked and the clients he had.” Francis also made a plea for the artisan and craft skills of the UK to be supported, “quality work and apprenticeship are such important elements for interior design and they need to be supported in the UK. Furniture shouldn’t be disposable we should return to the idea that furniture should be handed from generation to generation again.” He also praised London and his continued allegiance to the UK as home to the studio.
