As the founder of modern design store Béton Brut, Sophie Pearce has recently had to overcome what she terms “some design chromophobia.” A collaboration with the fashion designer Paul Smith has persuaded Pearce to evolve her signature monochrome palette and venture into something a little more chromatically chaotic.
A corner scene featuring an Andrea Branzi flower stand with bamboo-form legs and red lacquered top (Italy, 1986); a Mario Bellini ‘Il Colonnato’ table (Italy, 1977); four Pompeo Fumagalli chairs (Italy, 1970s); and a Giovanni Banci resin sculpture (Italy, 1960s).
While the cardinal rule remains I will only buy what I could have in my real or imagined home I can also now source more surprising pieces with a Paul Smith hat on or at...
...least fashion my own response to Paul Smith eclecticism says Sophie who began Béton Brut in 2013 and has since earned a reputation for sourcing rare and distinctly sculptural furniture and lighting from Europe and Japan
A familiar Béton Brut scene, featuring Angelo Mangiarotti’s Trifoglio table (Italy, 1971); a Carlo Scarpa Cornaro sofa (Italy, 1970s); a Baumann-style wooden screen; a Dillon & Wheeler Multipla chair, (UK, 1992); and a black geometric wool carpet (2000s).
A desk area featuring a 19th century plaster cast of a classical bust an architectural sculpture by Sottsass 1 Italy 1986 a Montalcini Pagano desk Italy 1920s two...
...Frank Gehry Side Chairs from the Paul Smith Collection a Kazuhide Takahama Nefer 3 Lamp for Sirrah Italy c 1970 and a print from the Paul Smith Collection
A Florentine Ruault sculpture entitled “Window” (2017); a Cini Boeri 45/180 Gradual sofa (Italy, 1970); Philippe Cazal’s “Trouble” wool and silk carpet (2010); an Isamu Noguchi Akari paper pendant (Japan, 1951); and a red chair and table, wooden blocks, and painting from the Paul Smith Collection.
“For us it was the chance to present Béton Brut to a new audience—and a creative challenge: how to curate a collection that feels both Béton Brut and Paul Smith that will surprise and delight.”
A Cavallini Italo engraved metal vessel (Italy, 1960s); Audoux Minet rope coffee table (France, c. 1940); Klaus Uredat Corbi Trio sofa (Germany, 1969); Annig Sarian 4059 Floor lamp (Italy, 1970); and a mobile from the Paul Smith Collection.
On the lower floor, artificial lighting has encouraged Sophie “to pick a scheme that has atmosphere whilst still feeling bright and poppy.” She explains: “Inspired by a recent Paul Smith collection, we’ve chosen varying shades of chartreuse and lemon sorbet for the walls, with pops of rust and brick red in the pieces.”
Sophie Pearce, founder of Béton Brut, with a Paolo Passerini chaise lounge,(Italy, 1984) and a tall table from the Paul Smith Collection.
“I’ve also had fun incorporating art and objects from Paul Smith’s extensive collection,” says Sophie.