Chiara Colombini celebrates her store’s 10th anniversary

In conversation with Chiara

In the last 10 years, Chiara Colombini has established herself as the name to know in contemporary design. Yet, despite the success of her namesake store, little is known about the person behind the project…

The success of chiaracolombini.com as a go-to destination for design lies in Chiara’s unique vision, shaped by her upbringing between Italy and the UK, and the many years spent living in France.

Born in Italy but raised in the UK, Chiara grew up in a creative environment. “I’ve always known things could be done differently elsewhere. I think this opens your mind and makes you more likely to question traditional ways of doing things.”

After studying history at UCL in London, a year as an exchange student at the Sorbonne changed the course of her life. “I fell in love with Paris – and with my future husband!” She went on to study at ESCP Paris and initially pursued a career in consulting. However Chiara quickly felt the need to be in a more creative field and worked for a while as a product manager in fashion, before retraining as an interior designer.

“Through my projects, I became fascinated with the work of the young designers I was discovering. It was ten years ago, I found most interior design stores at the time uninspiring, with their mid-century modern / minimalist look. I wanted to do things differently: to showcase colour, texture, craftsmanship, and above all, contemporary design.”

Chiara then launched her own store. “I was never afraid to take the plunge. I grew up in a very entrepreneurial environment – it just felt natural to me.”

The launch did have its challenges. “Starting an online store is like opening a shop in the middle of nowhere on a Sunday evening,” she smiles. Nevertheless, through patience and determination, she steadily built her visibility. “Every small step makes a difference. There’s no magic formula – just hard work and the desire to create something authentic.”

Your store is known for its meticulous curation and distinctive approach to luxury. How does this influence your choices?

I am very exacting when it comes to selecting pieces for the store: aesthetics and quality are essential. One thing that struck me from the start was how many items look beautiful in photos but disappoint in person. My goal is the opposite: I want each object to be more stunning in reality than in the photos. I also like the idea of inclusive luxury: I want everyone, regardless of their income, to find something in our store that brings beauty into their daily life.

How would you describe your style?

I follow my instincts and try not to be too influenced by trends. To me, a beautiful interior should reflect a person’s personality. I love elegance, simplicity, colour, quality materials, and craftsmanship. I also like the idea of an interior that evolves slowly over time, shaped by new discoveries and finds, rather than being “finished” in one go.

I love visiting the homes of architects and artists, such as Carlo Mollino’s apartment in Turin, the houses of Le Corbusier, Barbara Hepworth’s studio in St Ives, or the Maison de Verre in Paris. These places are an immense source of inspiration to me, and I particularly enjoy sharing them in our Journal section.

You were a pioneer in creating the first genuine selection of contemporary upmarket design for the French market. Today it’s a reference point – what is your greatest pride?

I believe we have become a reference, particularly for lighting. I was convinced early on that high-end pieces could be sold online. That seems obvious now, but at the time, the internet was seen as a space reserved for discounting. My greatest pride? Hearing architects say they make their project choices based on our selections!

To celebrate the store’s ten-year anniversary, Chiara has collaborated with the designer Amande Haeghen, to create an exclusive piece.

How did this collaboration come about?

I’ve been working with Amande Haeghen for several years. I was immediately captivated by her poetic approach to ceramics and her meticulous attention to detail. Our first collaboration came about during a visit to her studio in Paris, where we combined different materials – stoneware, porcelain, brass – to create some of the store’s first ceramic lights. Since then, Haeghen’s work has gained significant recognition worldwide, and we’ve collaborated on several prestigious hospitality projects.

Working with Amande Haeghen on this anniversary piece felt like the natural choice : the wall light is handcrafted in Europe by a talented designer, using high-quality materials with sublime finishes – everything I look for in our selection!

The Palmaria Wall Light

Made in sand chamotte stoneware, the Palmaria has a simple sculptural elegance. The name echoes the name of the eponymous island opposite Portovenere, in Liguria, Italy. Deeply attached to Liguria, Chiara returns as often as she can, finding a constant source of inspiration in the Italian light and colour.

The Palmaria light has a rift along its middle, like an imprint left by time, by wind, by the sea. This rift undulates softly and is filled with a blue glaze, reminiscent of the movement of the waves and the sand.

Supporting Talent

In just ten years, Chiara has built a reputation for her eye for emerging talent. Her intuitive approach has led her to collaborate with artists and designers who have since achieved significant acclaim. “The most exciting part of my job is discovering new designers. I’m very instinctive: it’s an immediate yes or no. If I hesitate, it’s not the right choice. We support new talents through a custom communication plan. We also sometimes organise events where we show a selection of pieces.”

What’s your latest discovery?

Léa Ginac’s new collection, Songe. I think it carries its name well! (Songe means dream in French). Léa created a beautiful installation in Nice in September, where she showed her new pieces. I’ve always loved her work in ceramics, and I also love her latest pieces – the Envol wall light and pendant, which are made in lacquered aluminum.

Sustainability

Environmental impact is a key concern for Chiara. “Our pieces are designed to last and to improve with age. Also, one of my first questions when discovering a designer’s work is: where are the pieces made? I like our pieces to be made as close to home as possible, and today I’m proud that 90% of our items are manufactured in Europe. We’ve invested in thermal renovations, and both our office and showroom are now entirely heated through geothermal energy. I also try to ensure that our packaging is as eco-friendly as possible: brown paper for filling boxes, paper labels and tape instead of plastic…Many of our pieces are fragile and require special care, but brown paper and the ‘box-within-a-box’ system work just as well as plastic.”

The Customer Experience

One of the store’s distinguishing traits is the relationship that Chiara cultivates with her clients, be they private individuals or design professionals. “As a former interior designer, I’ve always had close relationships with my clients, and I wanted to maintain that. We really try to accompany our customers as much as possible. We’re easily reachable by phone, we offer personalised advice if necessary, we share updates on orders, and welcome clients to the showroom to see pieces in person…”

In an increasingly virtual world, Chiara emphasises the importance of human connections.

The store has now become a family business.  Chiara’s husband Guillaume handles finance, and “my daughter Annabelle, an IFM student, helps with social media. I love sharing my discoveries with her – she’s deeply attuned to this world, and her taste aligns closely with mine. We’re on the same wavelength.”

And Beyond

Do you think design has a role to play in our society?

I firmly believe that design has the power to transform our daily lives, not only in private spaces but also in public ones like hospitals or care homes. An inspiring example is that of the Maggie’s cancer centers in the UK. I think Maggie’s exemplifies how architecture and design can be a real source of support to people.

What’s your next contemporary design acquisition?

A sculpture by Victor Levai – I adore his work! Is it design or art ?

And in the long term, what’s your ambition for the store?

I want to continue improving my selection, ensure that we continue to offer a great customer experience even as we grow in size, and create an inspiring workplace for my team.

Shop the Look