Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in Arabic Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.The art and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome has long been referenced, from the temple-like façades on banks, churches and houses that sprung up in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, to the head of the Gorgon Medusa being emblazoned on Versace’s designs when it became the brand’s official logo in the 1990s. Step inside Sir John Soane’s museum in London and you will find a treasure trove of antiquities collected by the British architect who, 200 years ago, was enthralled by the ruins of ancient Rome, Paestum and Pompeii. “Antiquity remains deeply present in nearly every European city, where neoclassicism and the empire style have left their mark,” says the artist and designer Gergei Erdei, who often looks to the past for inspiration. “In today’s world, I believe we sometimes need to escape to another realm, and antiquity offers endless mythological stories and magical creatures.” We’ve found seven eye-catching designs that will bring a classical touch to your home. Studio Atkinson Greek Key mirror The Greek key design, also known as the meander, was used prolifically by the Ancient Greeks to adorn pottery, tiles, sculptures and buildings. The geometric motif was named after the winding Meander River in present-day Turkey, and was thought to be a symbol for the eternal flow of life. Studio Atkinson employs the pattern for the border of its Greek Key mirror (from £1,200) which launched last year and has become one of its best sellers. The mirror is handcrafted from wood in Sussex and painted in a range of rich colours which are then given a light antiqued finish. “The symbol nods to the old, but the graphic nature of the design helps it sit beautifully in modern interiors,” says the brand’s founder Susie Atkinson. “I think this is why it has stood the test of time – it works in any setting and adds a simple but decorative touch.” Pentreath & Hall Caesar soaps Penthreath & Hall’s store also features the Greek key design across pieces including waste paper baskets (£105), wool rugs by Shame Studios (£350), and candlesticks made from creamy Cornish clay that resemble ancient columns (£85). “The strong motifs and ionic order are staples of Ben Pentreath’s visual language as a classical architectural designer, and it’s an aesthetic that he and I bonded over,” says co-founder Bridie Hall, who designed a particularly charming collection of Caesar soaps (£8.50) – each cameo of a Roman emperor, from Titus to Augustus, is perfumed with the scent of bay and rosemary. Gergei Erdei folding screensReaching 2.3 metres tall, these decorative screens (from £5,000) “create an inner universe, serving as tools for escape and concealment while bringing grandeur to a space,” says Erdei. The collection of six screens is part of his inaugural Objects of Desire series, which launched last year, and is influenced by mythology and history – one screen features trompe l’oeil columns, while another depicts four hunting deities against a golden ochre backdrop. Erdei, who lived in Rome while working as a designer for Gucci and is still inspired by its palazzos and churches, paints the pine screens by hand using dry brush techniques to create the feel of crumbling ancient frescoes. Porta Romana Cassia wall light The Cassia wall light (£2,640) is shaped like a length of cloth draped over a pivotal finial, recalling the flowing white togas worn thousands of years ago. Designed by Porta Romana’s in-house studio in Surrey, the hand-sculpted piece is made using folded fabric which is set with resin to form a mould for casting. The light is available in plaster white or any painted finish of choice, and is backlit to create a dramatic silhouette.Arkitaip x Olivia Sewell tableclothBritish artist Olivia Sewell and designer Lea Wieser, founder of clothing brand Arkitaip, have collaborated to create a limited-edition tablecloth (£215). Inspired by the azures and whites of Greece, Sewell’s handpainted designs of columns, fish, busts and vases have been printed on Arkitaip’s sustainably sourced Lithuanian linen. “This piece is an ode to the Mediterranean’s easy-going lifestyle and captures the charm of Ancient Greece,” says Wieser.Ini Ceramique vases The studio’s collection of curvy Greek vases (from €180) are decorated with broad, minimal strokes to resemble ancient pottery in a thoroughly contemporary way. Made in Burgundy by Korean ceramicist Inhee Ma, the chamotte stoneware pieces feature a shiny glazed interior to contrast with the raw, textured exterior. “Many ancient designs are difficult to replicate with the same craftsmanship today,” says Ma, “which makes reimagining them so exciting.”Gufram Guframini CapitelloIn 1971, Studio65 for Gufram launched the Capitello lounge chair and Attica armchair and coffee table, which were all designed to look like different parts of a deconstructed Grecian column. Inspired by the Erechtheion temple in Athens, the pieces were made in soft polyurethane and hand-finished with a texture to mimic marble. Last year, Gufram released Guframini, a collection of miniatures celebrating the Italian brand’s most iconic pieces. Included in the sculptural series is an intricate version of the Capitello lounge chair (£141) crafted from polyurethane foam at a 1:8 scale.
