An Art Deco interior in Ho Chi Minh City

Founded just three hundred years ago, Ho Chi Minh City is a young metropolis that has grown up rapidly to become Vietnam’s economic and industrial capital. However, its style and elegance are still rooted in the past, and this is reflected in the private residence we explore in this article. As lovers of classicism, the clients wanted to recreate this look in an elegant yet discreet and functional setting. They began by choosing marble surfaces, a high-gloss material renowned for its solidity and heterogeneous aesthetics. Its bright, shiny appearance fascinated the ancient Greeks and Romans, and before them the peoples of Mesopotamia who used it to construct the most important buildings in their cities. Although needs have changed vastly over the centuries, the appeal of marble remains undiminished and for this reason it is still used today in countless applications. The owners of this residence in Ho Chi Minh City chose to recreate the charm and luminosity of the original stone using a marble-effect porcelain floor and wall tile, the Trilogy line from Panaria Ceramica. This collection achieves a classic marble look by means of three different technologies: porcelain stoneware, thin porcelain laminate and single-fired wall tile. This mixture of different sizes and decorative elements recreates the purity of marble and makes for truly unique spaces. But the most successful design decision of all was that of using the same texture for the floors and walls. The living room is tiled with 60×120 cm porcelain slabs in the colour Calacatta White with a Lux finish and characteristic marble veins that create a sense of elegance and sophistication. Used on both the floors and walls, the ceramic surfaces not only serve as a finishing material but also bring personality, comfort and design to the entire room, generating a highly original box-like effect. The luminosity of marble is recreated in all its intensity, the reflective horizontal and vertical surfaces transcending their role as functional finishes and becoming authentic decorative elements. The Trilogy collection faithfully reproduces the original streaked effect of marble, a sensation further enhanced by the size of the individual panels. On entering the apartment, the visitor’s gaze is immediately mesmerized by the luminosity and elegance of the surfaces. This concept of luxury and prestige is given a modern interpretation through the use of minimalist and highly contemporary furnishings. The sofas, armchairs and geometric coffee tables create a rigorous alternation of black and white elements that coordinate with crystals, panels and discreet coloured textiles and Art Deco-inspired furnishing accessories. A sober yet sophisticated living space, it represents a corner of Europe in the heart of the Asian city, an aspiration that is reflected in the ostentatious presence of international luxury brand names such as the Chanel cushions and the choice of premium Italian products.