The Brussels-based design duo Casamidy, otherwise known as Anne-Marie Midy and Jorge Almada, are aesthete-beloved for their handcrafted furnishings made in San Miguel de Allende that embrace the silhouette of classical forms—anything from Louis XVI to Spanish Colonialism—with a modern, refreshed eye that renders their work both novel and familiar. Midy and Almada are partners in life, as well, and this month they are releasing their first book, The Artisanal Home: Interiors and Furniture of Casamidy (Rizzoli). The monograph distills the broad range of homes they have designed together over the years; each project, regardless of location, conveys their sensibility, which is devoted to color theory, the spirited embrace of location and context, and, most of all, the history of things.
The focal point of the book is the celebration of memory—it is the common thread woven throughout each residence, whether it be a Mexican ranch house or a villa in the south of France. Midy, who grew up in Paris, and Almada, who hails from Culiacán, pay homage to the impact their respective grandparents (to whom the book is dedicated) had on their aesthetic sensibility, and indeed what would become their life’s work. The Artisanal Home charts their journey together through the spaces they inhabit—their rooms inspire desire to turn over every object, inspect every textile and wonder at the harmony of unpredictable styles that mélange to create something visually enthralling. Their home base, on Avenue Molière in Brussels, exemplifies that talent.
The elegant 1907 townhouse retains much of its original details, although they dispense with the over-the-top formality that characterizes many residences in the area. The dining room, above, mixes ornate turn-of-the-century Italian chairs with settees upholstered in emerald green, punctuated by chartreuse cushions and, most surprisingly, boldly striped Mexican blankets. A round faux bois Hiver table of their design welcomes the mix. The rich Tony Duquette malachite roman shades in the adjacent living room, which is painted a pale violet, create a sense of cohesion between spaces. Almada credits Midy with a deft comprehension of color and light, which is evident in each room.
Their residences in warmer climates, on the other hand, are remarkable for their integration of interior and exterior “rooms.”
The roof terrace at their San Miguel de Allende home is framed by a henequen canopy, which shields the seating area from the sun’s glare. Diminutive tables sprinkled around the chairs create a comfortable spot to rest a drink or a plate. Potted lavender and an abundance of their Symi lanterns, in addition to providing light, further delineate the space.
After Almada’s father passed away, the couple built a ranch in the Sonoran Desert, on land owned by a long-time family friend. It was meant as a tribute to Almada’s heritage, a place where the couple could take their two sons to commune with family traditions. An heirloom sling-back leather chair figures prominently on the porch, along with carved columns found in Michoacán.
The interior was meant to fuse classic Mexican ranch style with elements of a Flemish farmhouse, embracing romantic ideals such as brick walls, a pitched roof, and double-hung windows. Furniture and art mix Northern European sensibilities with colorful, regional pieces.
If the Sonoran Desert resonates with Almada as tradition, it is Saint-Paul de Vence for Midy. Her great-grandfather built a villa in the hillside of the town known for its connection to the greatest artists of the twentieth-century. In fact, he purchased the land from the owners of the famed La Colombe d’Or, which figures as a museum as much as it does a hotel. The villa remains in her family, and the interior, although punctuated with more contemporary touches, very much echoes the same décor that generations before hers enjoyed.
The pool, which sits beneath three levels of gardens, vines, and seating areas, has an Italian flare with tiles and Doric limestone columns.
An heirloom quilt in the boys’ Brussels bedroom is mixed with cheerful Marimekko and embroidered Oaxacan cushions, and a bright yellow Almidi side table.
Perhaps the greatest legacy impressed upon them by their family is the importance of the hand and the spirit. As every room they touch represents a balancing act of location, history, and novelty, so too does the furniture they produce. They are upholding a tradition of craftsmanship—working only with the best metalworkers, embroiderers, and leathersmiths—that is largely under threat. Anne-Marie Midy and Jorge Almada unequivocally live their design principles.
The post Design Duo Casamidy Publish Their First Book, The Artisanal Home appeared first on Vogue.