When in Rome, with Antea and Marco Kinloch, going through some designs in their atelier, I always get the feeling that the king of the lake knows his place in the world.
The walls of the showroom are coloured by hand, there are tapestries and decorated panels everywhere.
I am surrounded by all their friends, their things, some of their new toys and some of their old rags.
Frogs, monkeys, little parrots, bamboo sticks, peach-tree branches, iris flowers, ming vases, pleated cloth lampshades, persian tiles, colourful cushions made of silk or heavy cotton, fill the place with atmosphere, like a cascade of memories and fragments of other lives.
I enjoy sitting on the sofa or the little bench in the hall, both covered in colourful, heavy cloth. there are silk squares, cashmere blankets, woollen scarves with eastern motifs lying around. But, wait a moment!, also plastic rugs and a fitted carpet!
Antea and Marco exchange the same glances they used to when i first met them, full of passion for what they do and full of expectations for what lies ahead. everything changes to stay the same.
The king of the lake knows where he stands, who he is with, how and why he is there. suddenly i realise everything around me is new and everybody has just come in.
I then notice all the candles, there are so many - different, elegant, perfumed, in glasses painted with gold rims. they are dedicated to him and to her.
Donata Sartorio