We are delighted to share the first volume of -
IN THE CHAIR
A series spotlighting tastemakers on all things art, design, and culture. First up, we are in the chair with Ransom & Dunn founders Julia & Johanna. Discover their thoughts on investing in the right pieces, institutions to dine at, inspirational places, and more.
Hometown
Julia: London
Johanna: Miami
Hometown Hangouts
Julia: I love an institution... The Wolseley (for breakfast), J Sheekey, Ognisko, Min Jiang, The Rivoli bar for cocktails, The Cow, The River Cafe, Brawn or BRAT if I go east, The Clore Gallery in the Tate Britain, Sadler's Wells Theatre, The Barbican, National Portrait Gallery, Victoria & Albert Museum, The Royal Academy followed by lunch at 45 Jerymn, long walks in Regents Park, antique shops on Pimlico Road, Hampstead Heath on the weekends with my family, gallery hopping in Mayfair followed by shopping on Mount St and a cocktail at the Coburg Bar.
Johanna: The Venetian Islands, where I live, for beautiful walks in an oasis between Miami Beach and Downtown Miami; Coconut Grove for its authentic neighborhood feel, history, banyan trees and local businesses; The Design District for the best international shopping and design showrooms; Uchi for my favorite inventive Japanese in Wynwood; Casa Tua for its European feel and years of Miami memories; Joe's Stone Crab as 'the Miami institution' and finally, the living room in Faena for live music and the best cocktails.
What I order out
Julia: A dry martini and French fries.
Johanna: Spicy Mezcal Margarita or a Dirty Martini; Guacamole.
My Personal Style
Julia: I like it when things fit well, are made of quality materials and are versatile. The majority of my wardrobe is black and neutral. I opt for timeless classics with a glamorous edge that I wear over and over again and pair in unexpected ways. I am all about the edit, investing in the right pieces and feeling great in my clothes. When you feel great, you look great.
Johanna: When it comes to dressing, for me everything is about silhouettes, materials and colors. I am trying to buy less trends but versatile investment pieces I want to have forever. I pay careful attention to details--finishes, buttons, stitching---similar to how I look at furniture and design. I would say my style is refined, chic and always slightly sexy--no matter how formal or casual I am dressing. This ethos mirrors the style in which I create spaces --less is more but if you choose standout pieces that speak to the other elements of the space--the end result is timeless, striking and harmonious.
Favourite Fashion Brands
Julia: The Row, Saint Laurent, Hermes, Toteme, Khaite, Alaïa, Attersee, Manolo Blahnik.
Johanna: Alaïa, Bottega Veneta, Prada, Dries Van Noten, Hermes and Vintage Levi's, Nanushka and Christopher Esber for every day.
My Style Icons
Julia: Laura Hutton in the 70s for her laid-back glamour. Nan Kempner was impeccably chic, in her style and attitude. Barbara Martelo is a great example of a modern and incredibly well-dressed woman.
Johanna: Betty Catroux, Brigitte Bardot, Jackie Onassis Kennedy, Elsa Perretti.
Places that inspire
Julia: Unspoiled rugged vast stretches of nature, crumbling baroque architecture in Italy, Vienna and the Wiener Werkstatte movement's influence throughout the city. I romanticise about St. Petersburg even though I've never been.
Johanna: The Haussmannian architecture of Paris, the temples, architectural developments and ruins that remain from the Greek and Roman Empires, Caravaggio’s paintings that you can visit inside small chapels in Rome; Byzantine style paintings you can still see in Istanbul and modern architecture mixed with historical buildings like Richard Meier's Museum of the Ara Pacis in Rome and the Surf Club in Surfside, FL.
Products I can't live without
Julia: Sachajuan shampoo, Vitamin C from Skin Design, Augustinus Bader The Cream.
Johanna: Natura Bissé Diamond Cocoon Sheer Eye, Kevin Aucoin Skin Tint, Oribe Anti Humidity Spray, Costa oil.
Favourite Film
Julia: Toss up between Great Expectations for Gwyneth Paltrow's wardrobe, the soundtrack and cinematography - the scenes just stick with you... and I am Love by Luca Guadagnino set in Milan at the Villa Necchi, possibly the most elegant and inspiring home. I adore all the films by Luc Besson and Paolo Sorrentino.
Johanna: Vicky Cristina Barcelona by Woody Allen. I love the scenes of Barcelona and Spain, the absurdity and the unforgettable characters played by Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. The Godfather, I can watch Part I and II and I will never tire of it. Shawshank Redemption for its timeless and bittersweet story of friendship, survival and of course, Morgan Freeman's narration. Most recently, I saw Killer's of the Flower Moon by Martin Scorsese. The acting was fantastic and the story of the Osage Indians was gripping. Although a dark moment in history, it transported me to the American West and I find this time and place beautiful.
Signature Scent
Julia: Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur.
Johanna: Celine Parade, Byredo Bal d'Afrique.
The music I listen to most often
Julia: Is melancholic and alternative... think Nirvana Unplugged.
Johanna: My taste in music is where I am most eclectic. I love classic rock, motown, hip hop, house and occasionally country. Right now I love listening to Maribou State and discovering Afrobeats.
An unforgettable place I would love to go back to
Julia: Japan. I'd love to explore the Noto Peninsula and Hokkaido.
Johanna: Argentina. I have been twice but I would love to go to Patagonia which I have yet to visit.
The last thing I added to my wardrobe
Julia: A killer coat in the perfect shade of brown by Alaia. Pieter Mulier is giving us ladies what we want.
Johanna: A 1981 Hermes Vintage Kelly Sellier in Box Leather.
An artist I admire and would love to collect is
Julia: Pierre Soulages. He was an extraordinary artist and I love the minimalist yet bold gestures of his black paintings. The artwork would be the perfect stylistic backdrop to our furniture and other pieces I collect.
Johanna: Oscar Murillo, El Anatsui ---both for their absolute expression, viscerality and monumental scale. Danielle McKinney for her moody portraits and rich interiors. Her works are top of my wish list.
Where I would like to go next
Julia: I would love to take my boys on a road trip through the Rocky Mountains and the Wild West.
Johanna: Namibia for its surreal landscapes and terrain. I haven't been in Africa since 2015 and I am dreaming of my next trip to a new part of this incredible continent.
The podcast I'm listening to at the moment
Julia: I'm working on finding the time to listen to them.
Johanna: The Business of Home; The Daily; It's Me Tinx.
On my wishlist
Julia: A Carlo Bugatti throne chair and a diamond Philippa ring by Ana Khouri.
Johanna: A vintage diamond rope-like collar by Van Cleef & Arpels and polished steel shelves by Vittorio Introini from the 1970s.
If I wasn't making furniture I would be
Julia: A photographer.
Johanna: An architect.
