Objects of Inspiration: Laura Gonzalez

Few designers understand colour and atmosphere better than Laura Gonzalez. The Paris-based architect and interior designer has been captivating the design world with her exuberant interiors since founding her namesake studio in 2008. It was precisely this sensitivity to place that made Gonzalez the ideal person to interpret the layered complexity of Sicilian culture at Villa Timeo, the recently renovated 21-suite wing of the Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina. “I fell in love with Sicily about five years ago,” she says of the island, where she has returned every summer since. “I’m enamoured with its Baroque atmosphere and vibrant culture.”

These colourful Sharpies are part of my everyday work. Most of my day is spent with my team, working closely on interior layouts and design proposals. For each project, I spend hours drawing, annotating and sketching ideas as they evolve. These markers let me work directly on all kinds of printed material, which is important because I love working on paper. That physical, hands-on process is central to how I design.

Mimosa is special to me because it reminds me of my childhood. I lived in the south of France for more than 10 years and one of my first memories is of mimosa blooming in the middle of winter. It brings back that moment in my life. That’s why, every winter, when mimosa is in season, I run to the flower shop.  

I believe in energy and I think crystals carry a lot of it. They can be cleansing or offer protection. Above all, I love them as objects – for their beauty and that they come from nature. This love began with my grandfather, who took me to flea markets to look for crystals when I was young. I still remember the first time I saw one split open and discovered what was inside. I was amazed. Today, I buy larger pieces for their presence and smaller ones to carry with me. 

I’ve always worn a lot of different kinds of jewellery. I often fall in love with pieces simply because of the feeling they give me. The blue necklace, for example, was designed by a woman who used to work in my studio and I wear it every day because I love her. I also wear necklaces from my grandmother because, for me, jewellery is about attachment, love, and mixing pieces freely – just as I do in my designs.  

Books are a big part of my world. I have books everywhere – in my office, at home and at my place in the countryside. Every time I travel, I bring back books. Every time I visit an exhibition, I buy the book. It doesn’t matter the subject: they can be books about art, interiors or architecture, but I also read a lot of romance and books about society. Even when I travel, I always have 10 books in my luggage.  

This mini bear is very special to me because it was a gift from my team for my birthday two years ago. It’s by Laurent Dufour, who is an artist I love working with. I started collecting his work a long time ago and now it is part of many of my interior design projects. I love his world, the bold gestures in his sculptures and his imagination. He sees the world with a child’s eye.  

This Sicilian vase reminds me of working on Villa Timeo. These sculptures were bought in Marzamemi, a small village in the south of the island. It’s made by Le Malagioie, a local ceramic company we worked with on the project. We commissioned them for many lamps and objects. I love the Sicilian flair – they work with traditional forms, like the head, but with a new approach to craft, colour and texture. 

I’m a real dog person. They’re faithful and trusting, just like me. I got my first dog when I was 18, as soon as I started architecture school. It was a French bulldog. Now, I have two dogs: a big golden retriever called Paco and a labradoodle called Pamela. They come to the office, too. Anyone in the studio who has a dog can bring them in. Some days, there are seven dogs in the same building, and everyone is very happy about it.