A special jury composed of leading figures from the worlds of design and the applied arts selected the shortlist of 10 finalist works, projects of absolute excellence created by Italian master artisans who took on Starhotels' new creative challenge under the theme "The Beauty of Utility."
"DARK SUN AND ME" BY MATERIE BY PAOLO MANGANO
Circular smoked mirror with an iron and brass frame on which multiple copper elements and stones (malachite and crystals) are mounted in a radial arrangement. The work is a wall mirror representing a sun with abstract rays, designed to reflect the image of the face at its centre. The object stands out for its use of reclaimed materials from different origins, creating a spatial and unconventional result. The rays are made from waste materials from electroplating production (copper and brass) which, treated with polished and burnished finishes, give the mirror a precious, understated and mysterious appearance. The rough stones set into the piece add colour and symbolise an underground world connected to solar energy. The techniques used range from laser cutting of the frame to the entirely hand-made shaping of the rays and the construction of the stone settings, with final assembly carried out using pins and sockets.
maestrodartemestiere.it/it/libro-d-oro/2024/paolo-mangano
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ALLEGRETTO BY INCALMI
Allegretto is designer Valentina Cameranesi Sgroi's interpretation of Incalmi's Maniera modular system. Maniera was designed to respond to the challenge of temporary and seasonal spaces (retail, temporary installations, hospitality), offering a durable, versatile and recyclable solution. Its aluminium structure can be repositioned and easily reconfigured with shelves and lighting points, integrating different materials. In the designer's vision, Allegretto takes shape as a dynamic wall animated by enamelled copper and small interchangeable objects. The use of wool recovered from textile waste, with sound-absorbing properties, confirms the attention paid to environmentally sustainable design. Allegretto successfully combines traditional craftsmanship and technical innovation, offering a scalable and replicable model for contemporary interior design.
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DECANTER BY FABIO FORNASIER
This decanter is made of Murano blown glass, the result of a completely handcrafted process that guarantees the uniqueness of each piece, with slight variations left by the hand of the master glassmaker. Its design is inspired by the famous LU Murano chandelier collection, reinterpreting its sinuous lines in a form optimised for wine tasting. The use of transparent crystal is not accidental but functional: it allows light to pass through the wine and enhance its colour, turning the act of serving into a theatrical moment. This work of art represents a balance between the Murano glassmaking tradition and contemporary formal research, bringing together material, light and ritual.
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MAKE MAKE BY ATELIER IMPRESSIVE BY MANUEL UKA
It is a dwarf planet, the second brightest after Pluto, discovered in 2005 during the Easter holidays, and it takes its name from the creator god of humanity worshipped by the inhabitants of Easter Island. According to the legend, after creating the Earth, Make Make felt lonely and began to think that something was missing. He took a basin full of water and looked at his reflection; at that moment a small bird landed on his shoulder. Seeing their reflections together, he decided to create his firstborn, thus giving rise to the birth of humanity. The lamp was made from a single block of travertine; the carved circles that open out symbolise the ripples in the water and take us back to the moment when the deity saw its reflected image. The luminous body, consisting of a precious onyx sphere, refers to the small planet that bears its name.
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MARIO BY F.LLI LEVAGGI
Mario is the new valet stand designed by Aree di Studio for Fratelli Levaggi on the occasion of EDIT Napoli, the design fair held from 10 to 13 October 2025. It is a project born from the meeting of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design. Conceived as an "entry-level" product, it is an inclusive object in its form, language and use: a silent and functional presence, capable of inhabiting different spaces. Deprived of its seat, it preserves the formal memory of the chair and transforms into a coat stand; its silhouette evokes the archetype while becoming lighter: three legs hold clothes, bags and suspended objects. Produced using local Ligurian woods, it enhances the simplicity of its forms through the natural quality of the material.
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OCIO LAMP BY MNM VENEZIA BY MICHELA NARDIN
The OCIO wall lamp is a work of Venetian craftsmanship characterised by a mosaic in glass paste with a gradient effect. Made with more than 1,300 tesserae from the historic Orsoni furnace, the decoration follows a shaded radial pattern on a 24 cm aluminium disc. The name, which means "eye" in the Venetian dialect, recalls the iris and the play of shadows projected onto the wall once the lamp is switched on. Available in grey, green, red and blue, the lamp is fully customisable. Technically advanced, it is fitted with a dimmable LED bulb and an IP44 lamp holder, making it suitable for outdoor use as well as bathrooms and spas. It combines the material identity of Venice with functionality certified for the European, UK and US markets, celebrating the union of light and the tradition of Venetian glassmaking.
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SALICORNIA BY SALVIATI
Salicornia is an edible plant typical of coastlines and salt marshes, recognisable by its long fleshy stem and reduced leaves. In the past, being rich in soda ash, it was essential for glass production; today, it is a favourite ingredient in the most creative and experimental kitchens. This plant is closely linked to Venice, its lagoon and the famous Murano glass tradition, inspiring the re-edition of a precious tableware collection from the Salviati historical archive of the 1930s. The collection consists of a water glass, wine glasses (for white and red wine) and a bowl, all characterised by an elegant contrasting foot. For the wine glasses, the foot has been made in a "trumpet" shape, a technique that gives the object greater elegance, stability and refinement. The collection is available in steel grey with a red foot and air force blue with a purple foot.
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SEDUTA SOPRA I PINI BY TAFTIQUE BY JULES VISSERS
The fabric for the pouf was made using the hand-tufting technique, employing both a pneumatic tufting gun and an electric tufting gun. The different fabrics were joined together through machine stitching and embroidery. The inspiration for the Pini collection, which includes both wall pieces and furnishing accessories, comes from the artist's walks around Florence. The Mediterranean Pine, so characteristic of the Tuscan landscape, has wonderful shapes. It is a delicate tree that should be preserved, and this collection aims to celebrate its beauty and preciousness.
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The beads, threaded together with other glass components, are mounted on a metal structure. The bedside lamp is a piece inspired by a mini-series conceived by Sveva Collection in 2017, a series of handcrafted lights made with resin beads and rhinestones that Sveva Camurati selected for the 2017 collection entitled "Palle Spaziali", part of a lighting project presented during the Salone del Mobile in Milan. Each piece is conceived and meticulously handmade, and then produced in Italy. An example of eclectic craftsmanship that makes use of precious and sometimes unusual materials: antique fabrics, wooden and brass applications, crystals, coloured plastic... nothing is excluded.
VENETIA BY WONDERGLASS
Inspired by the iridescent colours and soft light of the Venetian lagoon, Venetia is a collection of modular room dividers. The partitions are created from fused Murano glass tiles, each perforated and connected by almost invisible threads, allowing light to filter through delicately while maintaining transparency. The panels can take linear, curved or cylindrical forms. The work aims to transform interiors by creating dynamic dividing walls that define and, at the same time, dissolve space, evoking the fluid dialogue between water and architecture that characterises Venice.
