Irenie Cossey makes a home by collecting memories

- V I T R A  H O M E  S T O R I E S -

This winter, Vitra takes a look behind the doors of three homes. We will visit the memory-filled residence of interior designer Irenie Cossey, discover the vibrant and welcoming home of consultant and creative Natasha Landers and finally the low-energy house of architect Ben Ridley. All three homes underline the personalities of their inhabitants, just like products by Vitra.

Irenie Cassey

Eames Shell Chairs

Left: LCW Chair and Occasional table LTR

Irenie Cossey

When I curate spaces, it’s all about connections and layers. My house, and any home is in constant shift. We change, children change, spaces change, we need to adapt to that. So there’s always a project going on, everywhere. My home is a platform to test ideas. I might see a colour somewhere, and I’ll keep it in mind, and try and apply that to fabrics, paints, samples, tiles, to a new project. It’s like making a fruit salad, blending bitter and sweet. The pop of something unusual is what I’m after. There’s always this constant: old and new, found and revived.

Compas Direction - Lampe du Bureau - Soft Pad Chair

Eames Lounge Chair - Occasional Table LTR

Eames House Bird Pale Rose

"I have this obsession with collecting objects. I think I’m trying to unconsciously frame individual moments and freeze things in time."

Either reupholstering something a few times as needed over its lifespan or mixing it with new pieces. Everything has a story. About a year ago we managed to get an original plywood splint by Eames, which we’d been after for years. It is in the dining room. People ask what it is, and then we explain the background and how it ended up in our house. Or my mum’s Irish harp, which she played from the age of a child. I brought it back from Ireland. No one in the house can play it but I just love all the memories it brings.’

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Photography & text: vitra