The bedroom collection inspired by Feng Shui practices
Fall 2025 | Product & Interior Design Studio @ Accademia Italiana, Florence, Italy
Objective: Design a collection of products that explore the theme “Heritage and Global Dialogue”
Reflection
One thing I know for certain is that studying design and art in the birthplace of the Renaissance taught me to move through the world with greater intention. From conversations with trattoria owners long past closing time to noticing the way shadows fall perfectly across Perseus with the Head of Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini, everything in Florence felt meticulously considered and shaped with love.
Although this project, Qi, explores Eastern practices and their understanding of how space influences the individual, my time immersed in a Western culture revealed the same essential truth: our surroundings matter deeply. The people, the places, the art, and the natural world all shape the way we see and understand ourselves.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have lived abroad, and I hope one day to return—not only to Florence, but to rediscover another side of myself there.
Con amore, Ellie
Because your bedroom should be treated like a temple.
The Terms + Vocabulary
The issue
In an age of overstimulation and digital saturation, humans have become increasingly disconnected from the intentionality of their surroundings. Spaces that were once meant to restore, reflect, and ground us have become sites of distraction and accumulation rather than calm and clarity.
Aka: We are moving away from the beauty of intentionality.
How can I use the ancient practices of “Wabi-sabi”, “Shijin”, and “Karesansui” to inspire and exercise ingenuity through living spaces + objects, more specifically, within a bedroom?
Wabi-Sabi
Traditional Japanese philosophy and aesthetic that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness.
Shijin
Green Dragon, White Tiger, Red Phoenix, and Black Tortoise, are mythological creatures symbolizing directions, seasons, and the fundamental forces of nature.
Karesansui
Style of Japanese garden that is meant to represent landscapes of mountains + rivers by using only rocks, sand, and plants without using any water.
Inspiration & Theme: Heritage and Global Dialogue
“Primitive minimalism”: rooted in ancient material culture, natural form, and quiet minimal architecture.
The Set:
Black Turtle - Protection - Bedframe // Green Dragon - Wellbeing - Dresser
Red Phoenix - New Opportunities - Lamp // White Tiger - Grace - Bedside Table(s)
Divian Bedframe
Designed by Michele De Lucchi
Combination of minimalism, refinement, and innovativeness
Combines the warmth and tactility of wood with softness of cotton: softly curved, fluid headboard gives the wood an unexpected softness and tactility, which the skillfully hand-carved vertical groves across the whole surface
All wood used in Zanat’s products comes from sustainably managed forests or private fruit orchards (walnut and cherry)
Layers and texture created with CNC milling
3d sketches/white models
Orthographic views and final form
Shijin
Form the basis of landscape Feng Shui, where they are ideally represented by natural landforms or symbolic objects in the four corners of a home or property to promote harmony and positive energy. Each of these creatures is represented by a piece of furniture.
Bedframes on the market
Ideation
Finding the form - 2d sketches
Senso Table Lamp
Designed by Kelly Wearstler
Lamp features a bold, ziggurat-inspired ceramic base with right angles and clean lines, giving it a sculptural monolithic feel.
Made of reactive-glaze ceramic (glazes vary in finish and texture), paired with a linen tapered lampshade and topped with a brass diffuser.
Lamp is 33″ (84 cm) tall, 24″ (61 cm) wide; it uses two E26 sockets (pull-chain) rated for 60 W each.
Available in multiple glazes / finishes — like Ivory, Crystal Bronze, and Autumn Copper — allowing flexibility in style and ambiance.
3d sketches/white models
Orthographic views and final form
Table lamps on the market
Ideation
Finding the form - 2d sketches
Ideation
Finding the form - 2d sketches
3d sketches/white models
Orthographic views and final form
Ideation
Finding the form - 2d sketches
3d sketches/white models
Orthographic views and final form
With energy & with intention
Traditional Japanese furniture, known for its minimalism and durability, primarily uses natural materials like Japanese Cedar (Sugi). “Qi” aims to reflect this both beautiful and functional nature.
