Designing Tranquility — Inside The Minimalist World of Isern Sera and Valeria Vasi

With her primary background in fashion, Valeria has consistently been drawn to art and design, eventually leading her to launch her own line of decorative products. Her carefully crafted vases and sculptures cleverly play with the visual possibilities of each object, showcased through imagery that the designer creates herself. All the designs are photographed within this space before being introduced to the world. “This space was designed to act as a blank canvas for our creativity, allowing me to effortlessly transform it into a photo shoot set and combine the two things I love: product design and art direction,” says Valeria. Vibrant colors, unpretentious shapes, and natural materials lie at the core of Vasi’s projects, with her ultimate influence being Constantin Brancusi, an artist who favored organic shapes and employed photography to document his works. “I think he was such a unique craftsman,” says Valeria, her voice filled with excitement.

Working with a diverse array of products and materials, such as glass vases, metal candle holders, or wooden sculptures, Valeria acknowledges that her numerous travels have been a significant influence for her. “I’ve been fortunate to travel and live in different parts of the world, which has enriched me with diverse visual references. I think the main influence has always been Japan and its approach and dedication to craft,” says Valeria. “I have an eternal curiosity that pushes me to continually seek new ideas, materials, and methods of working,” she adds, sitting against the built-in wall that serves as the finest testament to her aesthetic: filled with shapes and colors yet representing a perfect harmony.

While currently engaged in various projects, balancing professional and family life has undeniably been the greatest challenge for both Isern and Valeria in the last two years. “Our twin daughters are now two years old, and it hasn’t been easy to pursue creative projects while maintaining balance in the family. But I believe that when your work is your passion, you always find the energy nevertheless,” confides Valeria. When asked if they have collaborated or plan to work together, Isern responds without hesitation, “I don’t make any significant decisions in my projects without consulting Valeria first. We have some ideas for joint projects, but we need time for them. And now, the girls are the priority.” Valeria nods with a smile before saying, “Yes, our primary collaborative project right now is the family.”