In an interview with House & Garden in 2020, Andrew Hills, Porta Romana’s co-founder and creative director, commented, ‘We love our collaborations with makers and workshops around the country, and the fact that we can be the bridge between artists and market.’ His words summarised perfectly both the passion and the driving force behind the company: the desire to work with local craftspeople in the creation of beautiful objects.
Porta Romana was founded in 1988 by Andrew and Sarah Hills while they were living in Florence, and found themselves inspired after being exposed to a variety of local crafts. Changing direction from their previous careers in law and at the BBC, they set out to create pieces designed to be treasured for a lifetime and passed down through generations, drawing upon their newly founded network of craftspeople.
DISCOVER
This September, Porta Romana is launching its Autumn 2023 collection, a celebration of all things unique and extraordinary. It is a journey into the flamboyant world of the circus, and a true testament to the creativity at the heart of the business. Flowing organic shapes, sculptural silhouettes and elegant customisable finishes are the hallmarks of this collection, where inspiration for pieces has been derived from an eclectic range of subject matter, including the fleeting and magical seven-hour flower and the compositions found in geometric abstract sculpture.
BRITISH MADE
Perhaps more than ever in the company’s history, the Autumn 2023 collection is a great example of Porta Romana’s dedication to its artisans. ‘The more ideas we have, the more makers we are able to find who we can work with,’ says Andrew. ‘We focus on UK makers, who have the skillset and creativity to make our pieces special.’ One such example includes the ‘Perez’ lamp: a hand-blown glass creation in the shape of a jelly mould. This particular table lamp is made by Adam Aaronson, a glassblower based in Surrey, who has been at the forefront of the British glass industry for nearly 40 years, and has been collaborating with Porta Romana for over 20 years. Another stand-out design is the ‘Morales’ ceiling light, a beautiful hand-formed brass piece, featuring heads of the seven-hour flower, hand-crafted in Dorset.
BUILT TO LAST
Previous winners of House & Garden’s Responsible Design Award, Porta Romana has created its Autumn 2023 collection as a brilliant example of its design ethos and with an emphasis on longevity. Each piece is crafted with the intention and hope that it will be passed down through the customer’s family for many years to come. Perhaps the best examples of this in the Autumn 2023 collection are the ‘Brunn’ and ‘Blondin’ ceramic lamp bases, which have been skilfully hand-thrown and finished with a distinctive wood-ash glaze. Through its close relationships with local makers, the Porta Romana team can be on hand at every stage of the process, bridging the gap from sketch to finished product.
DISTINCTIVE LIGHTING AND FURNITURE
Porta Romana’s pieces have been used in some of the world’s most beautiful interiors, hotels, film sets and even art installations such as at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, where a group of golden ‘Urchin’ chandeliers hangs in the main entrance hall. Known for its iconic lighting designs, Porta Romana also has a diverse and appealing furniture offering. The Autumn 2023 collection showcases beautiful, elegant furnishings available alongside perfectly crafted lights. Since the company’s earliest days, its painting studio has been at the heart of the design process, and the team has spent over three decades building on the craft of hand-painted finishes and developing a unique reference library. The sleek ‘Matilda’ pendants, featuring hand-etched gold interiors, are a fine example of these techniques.
Ultimately, the Autumn 2023 collection is a testament to Porta Romana’s faithfulness to its founding principles and the integrity of its design philosophy. The company’s priority has always been to uphold an authentic combination of craft and artistry – and what finer way to promote both than in the creation of exquisite pieces thoughtfully designed to be loved for a lifetime?
Discover the Autumn 2023 collection by visiting portaromana.com
