The Atelier
Designed in London, crafted in Europe
Collection Noir was founded in London in 2020.
The work began with marble and has stayed there. Solid timber and hand worked metal were added because certain commissions asked for them, not because the collection needed widening.
Where the work is done
Design happens in London. Proportions, joints and the way a piece meets the floor are resolved in the studio before any material is cut.
Making happens in a small network of workshops, each chosen for its mastery of a single material. Marble is selected at the quarry in Tuscany and worked in Italy by stonemasons within reach of it. Metal is also worked in Italy, shaped and patinated by hand, so that no two finishes develop in quite the same way. Timber is made by hand in Britain, chosen by the board for its figure, whether walnut burl, poplar burl or oak, and finished by cabinetmakers who work in both solid wood and veneer.
Each material goes to the workshop that knows it best, which is the reason the arrangement works.
FOUNDER
Samantha Santini
"In fifteen years of specifying furniture, one thing became clear: when I think of marble, or exquisite craftsmanship generally, Italy is always at the forefront. That understanding of materials, and the craft behind them, is what separates a good piece from an exceptional one. That's what Collection Noir is built on."
Made to order
Nothing is held in stock. A piece is cut after it is commissioned, from a block chosen for it. Lead times run from ten to twelve weeks for the smaller tables and twelve to sixteen weeks for dining tables. That is an operational fact rather than a claim about the work.
For designers
The atelier works with interior designers, architects and developers on prime residential and hospitality projects. Trade terms, material samples and specification support are available through the trade programme.
As seen in
Vogue Living · Elle Decor · LivingEtc · Homes & Gardens · SheerLuxe