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The art and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome has long been referenced, from the temple-like facades on banks, churches and houses that emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, to the head of the Gorgon Medusa printed on Versace designs. when it became the brand’s official logo in the 1990s. Enter Sir John Soane Museum in London and you’ll find a treasure trove of antiquities collected by the British architect who, 200 years ago, was captivated by the ruins of ancient Rome, Paestum and Pompeii.
“Antiquity is still deeply present in almost all European cities, where neoclassicism and the empire style have left their mark,” says artist and designer Gergei Erdei, who often looks to the past for inspiration. “In today’s world, I think sometimes we need to escape to another realm, and ancient times offers endless mythological stories and magical creatures.”
We’ve found seven eye-catching designs that will add a classic touch to your home.
Studio Atkinson Greek Key Mirror
The Greek key design, also known as meander, was used prolifically by the ancient Greeks to adorn pottery, tiles, sculptures and buildings. The geometric motif is named after the winding Maeander River in modern-day Türkiye and was thought to be a symbol of the eternal flow of life.
Atkinson Study uses the pattern for the edge of her Greek Key mirror (from £1,200), which launched last year and has become one of her best sellers. The mirror is handmade from wood in Sussex and painted in a range of vibrant colors which are then given a light aged finish. “The symbol nods to vintage, but the graphic nature of the design helps it fit seamlessly into modern interiors,” says brand founder Susie Atkinson. “I think that’s why it has stood the test of time: it works in any setting and adds a simple but decorative touch.”
Caesar Pentreath & Hall Soaps
Penthreath and hallThe store also features the Greek key design on pieces including wastebaskets (£105), wool rugs from Shame Studios (£350) and chandeliers made from creamy Cornish clay that resemble antique columns (£85).
“Strong motifs and ionic order are staples of Ben Pentreath’s visual language as a classical architectural designer, and it’s an aesthetic that brought him and me together,” says co-founder Bridie Hall, who designed a particularly charming collection of caesar soaps (£8.50) – Every cameo of a Roman emperor, from Titus to Augustus, is scented with the scent of laurel and rosemary.
Gergei Erdei folding screens
Measuring 2.3 meters high, these decorative screens (from £5,000) “create an interior universe, serving as tools for escape and hiding, while also bringing grandeur to a space,” it says Erdei. The six-display collection is part of its inaugural Objects of Desire series, which launched last year, and is influenced by mythology and history: one display features trompe l’oeil columns, while another represents four hunting deities on a golden ocher background. Erdei, who lived in Rome while working as a designer for Gucci and still draws inspiration from its palaces and churches, paints the pine screens by hand using dry brush techniques to create the feel of crumbling ancient frescoes.
Porta Romana Cassia Wall Lamp
He Cassia The wall lamp (£2,640) is in the shape of a piece of fabric draped over a central finial, reminiscent of the billowing white togas worn thousands of years ago. Designed by Porta Romana’s in-house studio in Surrey, the hand-sculpted piece is made from folded fabric that is fixed with resin to form a mold for casting. The lamp is available in plaster white or any painted finish of your choice and is backlit to create a dramatic silhouette.
Arkitaip x Olivia Sewell Tablecloth
British artist Olivia Sewell and designer Lea Wieser, founder of the clothing brand Arkitaip, have collaborated to create a limited edition tablecloth (£215). Inspired by the blues and whites of Greece, Sewell’s hand-painted designs of columns, fish, busts and vases have been printed on sustainably sourced Lithuanian linen from Arkitaip. “This piece is an ode to the laid-back lifestyle of the Mediterranean and captures the charm of ancient Greece,” says Wieser.
Ini Ceramique Vases
the studyThe Curvy Greek Vases Collection (from €180) is decorated with broad, minimalist strokes to resemble ancient pottery in a completely contemporary way. Made in Burgundy by Korean ceramist Inhee Ma, the chamotte stoneware pieces feature a glossy glazed interior to contrast with the rough textured exterior. “Many old designs are difficult to replicate today with the same craftsmanship,” says Ma, “which makes reinventing them very exciting.”
Gufram Guframini Capitello
In 1971, Studio65 for Gufram launched the Capitello armchair and the Attica armchair and coffee table, all designed to look like different parts of a deconstructed Greek column. Inspired by the temple of Erechtheion in Athens, the pieces were made of soft polyurethane and hand finished with a texture that imitates marble. Last year, Gufram launched 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 Armchair (£141) made from 1:8 scale polyurethane foam.