Wild West–and East

Cindy Allen -- Interior Design, 7/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

We're gunning for rich contrasts this July, focusing our attention on two very different incubators of industrial design. Presented here almost back to back, they're actually separated by 6,300 miles of land and sea and, sadly, by the eternal barrier of mortality. Since Achille Castiglioni died in 2002, his Milan studio has been open only by appointment, and I'll never forget my visit, expertly chaperoned by the formidable Irma, Achille's widow. She also granted us an interview, an exclusive perspective on the father of Italian modernism and his exceptional inner sanctum, which she hopes to turn into a museum for students. If your passion for design extends from furniture and lighting to cars and trucks, you'll be equally fascinated by Luce et Studio's Nissan idea lab near San Diego—that's where the sporty 350 Z and the brawny Armada SUV became reality.

Designing for designers is never an easy task, but Mark Zeff pulled it off with flair in the Hamptons, where he lightened up a waterfront house for the founder of an interiors and architecture referral service. If you're not a beach person, head to the mountains with the snowy-white, glacier-cool loft that Gus Wüstemann renovated for a couple in Lucerne, Switzerland. Or travel to the World Expo in Aichi, Japan, where Thom Filicia turned the mezzanine of an eco-friendly warehouse-style building into a VIP "living room" that showcases American style. (Antler chair, anyone?) Americans teamed up with Italians at Peter Marino's Rome boutique for Fendi—a virtuoso composition of travertine ribbons and cascading Murano glass—and aboard the 165-foot yacht Ghost, outfitted by architect Piero Lissoni and interior designer Kitty Hawks.

Setting sail for summer,

Cindy Allen