Etereo Design: Italian Craftsmanship Meets Middle Eastern Innovation
people • DESIGNERS
Etereo Design, the Italian powerhouse redefining luxury in Dubai, crafts exquisite spaces where heritage meets innovation. With an eye for detail and a passion for timeless elegance, their portfolio boasts standout projects like Exclusivissima, a seamless fusion of Italian refinement and Middle Eastern grandeur, and Villissima, where architecture harmonizes with nature. Their Carbon Collection, unveiled at Milan Design Week 2024, showcases a bold vision for collectible design. Recognized with accolades such as the Commercial Interior Design Award for Ghaf Majlis (2022), Etereo continues to set new standards in bespoke interiors—where every space tells a story of artistry, craftsmanship, and sophistication.
WEBSITE: Etereodesign.it INSTAGRAM: @ETEREO_DESIGNSTUDIO
Words: designeers
February 2025
DESIGNEERS
What’s the story behind Etereo Design? How did it all begin?
ETEREO DESIGN
Etereo was born in 2017 in Dubai, a meeting point between our Italian heritage and the vibrant energy of the Middle East. We, Mirko Sala Tenna and Stefania Di Gregorio, brought together our architectural backgrounds and artistic sensibilities to create a studio that transcends traditional design boundaries. Our approach blends collectible design, interior architecture, and a deep reverence for craftsmanship. The name Etereo reflects our philosophy—design as sensorial journey, where beauty and function harmonize in a seamless experience. From our headquarters in Dubai and Milan, we work on projects that range from luxury residences to collectible design pieces, always seeking to craft spaces and objects that tell a story.
DESIGNEERS
How has being based in Dubai influenced your design approach?
ETEREO DESIGN
Dubai is a place where the past and future coexist in a fascinating contrast. The city's architectural ambition, combined with its rich cultural diversity, has pushed us to experiment with materials, forms, and new ways of storytelling through design. At Etereo, we embrace this duality, balancing the cutting-edge innovation of Dubai with the timeless elegance of Italian craftsmanship. The luxury market here is highly demanding, and that drives us to create projects that are not just visually striking but also deeply meaningful, integrating art, history, and contemporary aesthetics.
DESIGNEERS
Your work blends Italian heritage with Middle Eastern influences. How do you bring these elements together in a project?
ETEREO DESIGN
Our approach is about fusion rather than contrast. We take the refined craftsmanship and timeless elegance of Italian design and reinterpret it through the lens of Middle Eastern richness and storytelling. For example, in projects like the Ghaf Majlis, we explored traditional Arabic spatial concepts but rendered them with a sculptural, almost monolithic aesthetic inspired by the desert landscape. Similarly, in our Eclettico Apartment, we introduced materials such as Wild Onyx and brass in a way that felt both opulent and contemporary. The key is to create dialogues between cultures, finding points of connection rather than contrast.
DESIGNEERS
What’s been the most exciting project you’ve worked on so far, and why?
ETEREO DESIGN
One of our most exhilarating projects has been the Burj Khalifa Rubino Penthouse. Located on the 103rd floor of the world's tallest building, this residence pushed our creative and technical boundaries. We worked with exceptional materials like Camouflage Marble and Calacatta Violet, crafting bespoke spaces that reflect Dubai’s grandeur while maintaining a refined, intimate atmosphere. Every detail, from leather-wrapped columns to spa-like bathrooms, was designed to elevate the experience of luxury living. This project perfectly encapsulates our vision: high-end design that is both evocative and functionally impeccable.
“Our approach is about fusion rather than contrast. We take the refined craftsmanship and timeless elegance of Italian design and reinterpret it through the lens of Middle Eastern richness and storytelling. ”
ETEREO DESIGN
DESIGNEERS
You work across interiors, furniture, and product design. Do you have a favorite discipline, or do they all feed into each other?
ETEREO DESIGN
They are all interconnected. We see furniture and objects as an extension of the spatial experience. Our Carbon Collection, for instance, was born from our architectural background—each piece is designed like a miniature structure, with precise interlocking elements that require no fixatives. Similarly, our Faraglioni Collection draws from landscape and spatial composition, bringing natural elements into interior settings. The interplay between disciplines allows us to create holistic designs where every element, from the room to the furniture, speaks the same language.
DESIGNEERS
The ‘Faraglioni’ collection was inspired by Capri’s landscapes. How do travel and nature influence your creativity?
ETEREO DESIGN
Travel is essential to our creative process. Nature, in particular, provides an endless source of inspiration, both in form and philosophy. The Faraglioni Collection, designed for Nilufar Gallery and presented at Nomad Circle in Capri, captures the dynamic contrast between rock and water. The solid cast bronze legs mirror the rugged formations of Capri’s famous cliffs, while the glass tops mimic the fluidity of the sea. The collection embodies the duality of nature—its permanence and its transience. More broadly, our work often integrates textures, colors, and structural elements that reference natural landscapes, from Alpine influences in Mirko’s work to Mediterranean softness.
DESIGNEERS
Craftsmanship plays a big role in your work. Can you share a favorite collaboration with artisans or suppliers?
ETEREO DESIGN
We are deeply committed to preserving and evolving traditional craftsmanship. One of our most treasured collaborations has been with master artisans from Brianza and Venice for the Faraglioni Collection. The bronze elements were cast using age-old techniques, while the glass was crafted in Venice, where centuries of glassmaking expertise shaped the collection’s delicate yet structured forms. Another special partnership is with the Nilufar Gallery, where we showcase collectible design that merges traditional skills with contemporary aesthetics. These collaborations are what elevate our designs beyond function into the realm of art.
DESIGNEERS
What’s one material or design trend you’re loving right now?
ETEREO DESIGN
Rather than following trends, we focus on materials that have a deep, almost poetic connection to history and craftsmanship. One material we are particularly drawn to is charred wood, which we explored in our Carbon Collection. This ancient Japanese technique of wood carbonization not only enhances durability but also creates a uniquely rich texture. It symbolizes transformation—wood that has faced fire and emerged even stronger, much like our approach to design.
DESIGNEERS
If you could design a dream project anywhere in the world, what would it be?
ETEREO DESIGN
A dream project for us would be to design a boutique retreat immersed in nature, whether nestled in the Alps, overlooking the Mediterranean, or set against the vast deserts of the Middle East. A place where architecture seamlessly dissolves into the landscape, creating a continuous dialogue between the built environment and its natural surroundings.
This vision embodies our philosophy of immersive, experiential design, where every element—from the choice of materials to the interplay of light—is meticulously crafted to evoke a deep sense of serenity and connection.
And now, that dream is on the verge of becoming reality…
DESIGNEERS
What’s next for Etereo? Any exciting new collections or projects in the works?
ETEREO DESIGN
We are currently engaged in new luxury residential and hospitality projects across Dubai, Cannes, and Venice, each uniquely shaped by its cultural and geographical essence. At the same time, our focus on collectible design continues to expand, with an exciting new overseas collaboration on the horizon.
Our vision remains clear: to seamlessly blur the boundaries between architecture, furniture, and art, crafting pieces that are not only timeless and meaningful but also deeply transformative.
