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Pensieri Panteschi Transforms One Designer’s Curiosity Into Reality

01.10.22 | By
Pensieri Panteschi Transforms One Designer’s Curiosity Into Reality

Lithea’s new collection – Pensieri Panteschi – was designed by Elena Salmistraro and inspired by the Sicilian island of Pantelleria. Long considered a land of fertility, these furniture and decor pieces use marble and polychrome stones to form Salmistraro’s observations – translating curiosity into design.

The collection brings the island’s unique landscape and iconic elements into everyday objects. Salmistraro took Pantelleria’s eroding mountains, black volcanic rock, vine-covered cliffs, stone walls, Dammussi houses, and the sea and turned them into abstract compositions. Strong shapes, textures, and colors come together to create the Specchio di Venere table, the Sibà stools, and the Gadir wall panel. They’re graphic, three dimensional, and layered with color and various materials, made possible by the skills of Lithea.

wall textile with dining table and stools

wall textile with dining table and stools

The Gadir decorative panel takes its name from an Arabic term meaning “valley of water,” one of the island’s most well-known locations that features hot springs. The panel brings together inlays, grafts, and bas-relief paying tribute to the basin that’s surrounded by gardens, fields, cliffs, and quarries. The stone base includes engraved geometric elements of various colors and textures, along with other small copper elements.

dining table with stools

The Specchio di Venere table features a top with rounded edges resembling a lake born from a volcanic crater – the connection between land and rock. Colored, sculpted marble is shaped by machines before being hand-finished. Its curved legs mimic the sea’s waves through four semi-circular white stone elements.

The matching Sibà stools are inspired by the island’s mountain community. A white marble, rounded seat is covered with colored marble, supported by five sculpted legs.

dining table with stools

wall textile detail

wall textile detail

To learn more about the Pensieri Panteschi collection, visit elenasalmistraro.com.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.