Interior Design - Detail in Oxford
"A shadow may be infinitely dark and also of infinite degrees of absence of darkness. Shadow is the means by which bodies display their form. The forms of bodies could not be understood in detail but for the shadow."
― Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci spent a significant part of his life studying the fascinating interplay between shadow and light. Interestingly, this was centuries before we were enlightened by Jun’ichirō Tanizaki’s In Praise of Shadows, a 1933 essay on Japanese aesthetics. In this insightful work, Tanizaki tantalised our imagination and shed light on the hidden beauty that lies within darkness—and the powerful effect of absence.
Even today, we are still learning from Leonardo’s genius. His paintings are considered some of the most stunning and lifelike ever created, thanks to his mastery of chiaroscuro, a technique that plays with light and shadow to create a sense of depth and texture. It is these timeless themes that interest us here.
At our contemporary Quatrefoil House project in Oxford, we were inspired by the writings of Leonardo—through the various research threads we like to pull. It was important for the principles of shadow and shade to dominate the interior, taking precedence over material finish. Shadow became our language for creating a soothing and luxurious atmosphere.
This simple fireplace component is restored as a centrepiece to each main living room, reestablishing the regal heart of this 18th-century Oxford home. With its refined classical proportions, the outer fireplace element is finished in black steel plate sections. Dark blue-black slate is used for the interior fireback and hearth, on which a bespoke log burner awaits firewood.
This bespoke interior design component, expressed in soft minimalism, dances between flutes of classicism and references the architectural language of the new external façade. The result is a unique object with layered meaning and infinite shadow play.
The component drawings created by our team below showcase the intricate detail and subtle refinements of this centrepiece.
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