WITH A NEW BOOK AND A PALM BEACH GALLERY UNDER HIS BELT, ACHILLE SALVAGNI CONTINUES TO IMPRESS THE WORLD WITH HIS INSPIRING VERSION OF DESIGN.
BY SEBASTIAN PHILLIPS MAN
Terms such as aesthete, tastemaker, and connoisseur are thrown around far too freely and often undeservedly. But when they hit the mark, no other words will suffice. Case in point: Achille Salvagni, the renowned Roman artist, architect, and designer whose name alone conjures up good taste.
Sophisticated and erudite, Salvagni’s take on bespoke furniture, lighting, and objets d’art bridges his love for classicism and old-world craftsmanship with his modern, forward-thinking approach. His creations fuse these two ideas using bronze, onyx, marble, parchment, silk, and rare woods to celebrate craft.
“In my designs, I aim to infuse a sense of care, memory, and respect for tradition, while reinventing beauty,” he says. “The essence of my work is a harmonious dialogue between time-honored craftsmanship and rich, historic storytelling.”
That philosophy has shaped Salvagni’s entire career and led to two books: a 2019 monograph published by Rizzoli and, just recently, an Assouline volume that highlights his much-coveted works, authored by curator and historian Glenn Adamson. The new tome situates the designer within a broader cultural continuum, tracing references from classical Rome and mythology to Art Deco, mid-century Italian design, and contemporary art. Adamson analyzes iconic Salvagni pieces (such as his 2016 Spider chandelier with its bronze arms and glowing onyx diffusers) and reflects on what has become the designer’s signature: a fusion of classicism and modernism.
“I believe great design and craftsmanship are inseparable,” says Salvagni. “I am dedicated to collaborating with master artisans on every piece I create, down to every detail.” That includes working with talent trained by Gio Ponti on designs that incorporate parchment and casting bronze at the same foundry the Vatican uses. “For me, preserving
and sustaining these historical techniques is essential,” adds Salvagni, “not only to honor their legacies, but to
revive these crafts through a modern context and ensure the traditions remain alive.”
All that effort and dedication can be seen firsthand at Salvagni’s gallery in Palm Beach, which opened in January. Located on Worth Avenue, the shop/exhibition space is the third of its kind after London and New York. (He also oversees an architecture studio in Rome—right next to the Colosseum, no less.) “Palm Beach has always represented an unmatched balance between heritage and modern sophistication,” says Salvagni. “Opening here is not only about expanding geographically but about finding a cultural home that resonates with the values that have always guided my work.”
As for what’s next? Salvagni is not one to rest on his laurels for long. He’s currently busy with projects for Le Graal that include a hotel in the Dolomites and a members’ club inside a historic palazzo in Rome. And there’s that Madison Avenue building he recently purchased for $13.5 million, about which he’s not commenting, but which we’re certain will live up to his design caliber.
“To innovate, you must first understand the past, its materials, techniques, and stories,” says Salvagni. “I strive for a balance between history and modernity every single day.” achillesalvagni.com
