Tutto bene

 

the interior, architecture and design studio by Felizia Berchtold and Oskar Kohnen

Bringing together their diverse backgrounds, Felizia and Oskar create environments for living, hospitality, and commercial spaces. Founded on a partnership of curious minds Tutto Bene builds spatial narratives on meticulous research. Tutto Bene is an ethos. A pursuit of simplicity, an optimistic approach, a commitment to excellence.

Can you tell us a bit about yourselves and the inspiration behind the creation of Tutto Bene? 

Tutto Bene came together shortly after we met in the spring of 2023. We quickly realised that our stylistic interests—and, more importantly, our methods and work discipline—were surprisingly in sync. The idea of working together just felt right, and the lifestyle and freedom that came with it were appealing, so we decided to combine our practices.

What drives the creative vision of Tutto Bene, and how do your individual design styles overlap? 

The creative vision of Tutto Bene Studio is driven by a shared focus on considered restraint, historical reverence, and a commitment to creating designs that prioritise the human experience. We build environments through meticulous research, strong gestures, and an emphasis on clarity and emotion. Our philosophy, which we’ve coined ‘romantic simplicity,’ ties our varied projects together—a balance of discipline, intrigue, and beauty. While the outcome is often a byproduct of our approach, there is a consistent thread of thoughtfulness and harmony running through the work.

Can you walk us through your typical design process and how you approach a new project? 

Our design process usually begins with the brief—if it’s not clearly defined, we create one ourselves to set a solid foundation. From there, we hold an intensive one-on-one design workshop over several days, during which we define everything: the core idea, the intended atmosphere, layout, flow, materials, and design elements. This stage is a deep dive, where we bring everything to paper in a focused session of discussion and decision-making. Once we have a complete draft, we move into refining, critiquing, and detailing—along with reflecting with the client. Most of the process after that involves project management, problem-solving, and procurement. That’s why the initial burst of creation needs to happen in complete isolation, ensuring the integrity of the original idea. While the realities of a project can sometimes challenge that idea, starting strong gives us a clear direction and a firm line of defence, so to speak.

Photography by Ludovic Balay

 
 

Milan Pied A Terre. Photography by Ludovic Balay

What would you say is your main source of inspiration? 

An inherent curiosity is our main source of inspiration, as well as a desire to build. We’ve invented our lifestyle around constant stimulation—living between cities, travelling, and always working with new people on fresh projects. It’s never repetitive, and inspiration is always flowing. But if we had to pinpoint one main source, it would be conversation. Talking things through has a way of dragging ideas into the light and revealing their potential. That’s why having a good conversation partner is invaluable—it’s often where the best sparks of inspiration come from.

Who are your go-to industry experts that fuel your inspiration? 

We find inspiration by looking beyond our industry to areas like fashion, film, and the oeuvres and biographies of artists. These fields offer different perspectives that go beyond imitating visuals. We’re also inspired by the craftspeople and manufacturers we work with, as they’re the ones who bring our designs to life. Without their expertise, our ideas would just stay on paper. Their capabilities are a big part of what makes a design successful.

How do you like to spend your weekends or time off? 

We enjoy the same recreational pleasures as everyone else, but we tend to work on weekends and take our time off at random times during the week or for a full month in August, Italian style... though this only ever works in principle.

If you could design anything without constraints—be it time, budget, or scope—what would it be and why? 

An apartment that has Paris in the west, Milan in the south, and New York facing east. We could reduce our plane travel.

Collaboration is integral to creative studios, how do you navigate creative differences to arrive at a cohesive design? 

If there were too many creative differences, we wouldn’t have started the studio in the first place. Collaboration either clicks or it doesn’t, and thankfully, our obsessive natures and egos meet at eye level, making the process smooth and productive. Ultimately, our shared goal is to make the work as strong as it can be, so we’re both willing to admit when we’re wrong if it serves the idea. At the end of the day, we’re slaves to the idea, and that keeps everything cohesive.

How do you balance the practical needs of a space or object with the desire for aesthetic innovation? 

Balancing practicality with aesthetic innovation means recognising that aesthetics is a function in itself. Spaces and objects must not only perform well but also evoke a sense of clarity, comfort, and beauty. Too often, designs prioritise being different or overly conceptual for the sake of innovation, resulting in banal pretentiousness. The best designs feel straightforward, where every element fits seamlessly into a cohesive whole, creating elegance through restraint. True quality lies in usability and the way things touch people emotionally. Design is about curating ideas that resonate culturally and intelligently, capturing the essence of a space or object with clarity and purpose.

What have been some of the most rewarding collaborations or partnerships for Tutto Bene Studio, and why? 

We love repeat clients because it allows us to think beyond a single design and create something larger—communicated through a series of places. Our clients at Cubitts would win the Collaborator of 2024 award. We opened four stores with them, and the process was joyful because we had the time to synchronise and be experimental.

Cubitts Marylebone London. Photography by Felix Speller

 
 
 
 

Left to right: Milan Pied A Terre, photography by Ludovic Balay. Cubitts Islington London, photography by Ludovic Balay. Nightingale Mayfair London, photography by Ludovic Balay. Cubitts Soho, New York, photography by William Jess Laird. Cubitts West Village, New York, photography by Alice Gao.

TUTTO BENE’S EDIT