Luca Nichetto designs Barovier&Toso's flagship store in Venice as a miniature jewel

Paying homage to Barovier&Toso's heritage as masters of handcrafted Venetian glass, Italian designer Luca Nichetto has designed a window installation for the grand opening of their captivating flagship store in Calle Larga XXII Marzo in Venice, Italy. The new space is a 'miniature jewel' designed by Nichetto Studio as a tribute to the centuries-old tradition of the brand, with roots in the late 1200s. It is a small boutique with great communicative power, concerning the Italian brand's values and expertise.

The design and art installation titled Flora & Flutter is an evocative metaphor for the art of glassworking, and the Venice-based brand's creative essence. The goal was to convey the imagery of leafy plants that grow from Earth, as glass objects sprouting from the fertile silica soil, in this case, a bed of crushed glass. In the upper part of the showcase, glass butterflies and other decorative glass elements are showcased as a homage to the intricate craftsmanship of glass chandeliers.

A monochromatic colour palette is employed to underscore the materiality of glass, allowing it to be the main protagonist. The result is an elegant showcase accentuating the understated beauty of glass. “A celebration of the esteemed manufacturer’s creative spirit, Flora & Flutter is a dramatic metaphor for the art of Venetian glass, from crystalline silica to exquisite glass,” shares Nichetto Studio.

The space's beamed roofs remain the focal point of the interior design, capitalised by unique features to create a series of arches that lend a sense of dramatic depth. The combination of materials is a harmonious blend of Venetian terrazzo treated in soft tones on one side, and contemporary smoothed concrete on the other. At the heart of this design lies an inspiration from the Barovier cup, enlarged to a larger scale to become the anchor point, and imbuing the shop with a cosy, living room ambience. As Barovier&Toso is renowned for its lighting design, a statement is made with a chandelier that serves both a lighting and architectural function, separating the store space from the showcase area.

Emphasising the brand's historicity, the interiors reflect the look of a neoclassical monument, using raw stones to create shelves and frames behind the desk where the Barovier&Toso logo is carved in bas-relief. A glass block barrier, patterned after Doric columns, enhances the depth of perception, by allowing light from the back of the desk to shine through.