Louis Vuitton’s home comforts

There’s something very irreverent about Louis Vuitton’s latest venture. The storied fashion house – which has been revolutionizing luggage since the 19th century – is now setting its sights on transforming our humble abodes. But Vuitton’s foray into the world of home interiors is by no means stuffy — it doesn’t remind you of the bygone era in which the brand had its beginnings. Think pinball machines inspired by Pharrell Williams’ latest runway show. Surrealist foosball tables that look like they’ve been plucked out of a dreamscape. Those, by the way, are part of what Vuitton has dubbed their “exceptional gaming” category of homeware. They sit alongside another four lines: Objets Nomades, the Signature Collection, Decoration, and Tableware.

The Signature Collection sits at the centre of it all. It’s where contemporary design meets LV’s DNA in the most literal sense. French industrial design master Patrick Jouin, known for his work with Hermès and Cassina, has created an armchair wrapped in zippered leather with a golden padlock — like one of their iconic trunks, but this time you can sit in it. It’s a playful nod to the archives that runs through everything — from Patricia Urquiola’s curvy new pieces (the Milan based designer is behind some of B&B Italia’s most iconic designs) to Cristián Mohaded’s work, where traditional craftsmanship meets inspiration from his Argentinian roots.