/ 2016 — 2023
Overlooking the Adriatic, Villa Zadar is more than a coastal residence — it is a story of identity, told through architecture, material, and art. When the clients invited VELVENOIR and Steininger Designers to accompany them on their creative journey, the shared vision was clear: to curate a home where every artwork would carry meaning, memory, and emotional truth.
Our collaboration began with a series of quiet conversations. About values, places, memories, and the kind of energy the couple wanted to live with every day. Their connection to the sea, their love for natural textures, their fascination with balance and light, these became the guiding threads for our curatorial direction.
Rather than beginning with a list of artists, we started with emotion. We explored how they wanted to feel in each space: calm in the mornings, inspired in their workspace, connected in the living room. This personal mapping became the foundation for the art journey ahead.
The path to each acquisition was a blend of digital research and personal experience. Together, we explored international online viewing rooms, virtual exhibitions, and live artist studios — weaving a hybrid process that made collecting feel both immediate and intimate.
Across continents and time zones, conversations with artists unfolded, from emerging European voices to established names from Latin America and Australia. Through video calls and studio visits, the couple met the people behind the works, deepening their understanding of process, philosophy, and story.
Each piece was chosen not because it fit the space, but because it resonated: emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.
Today, the Villa’s collection stands as a reflection of its owners: grounded, curious, and open to evolution. Each artwork has a story, of discovery, encounter, and connection. Together, they form a living collection that will continue to evolve with the family, echoing their values and journeys over time.
For VELVENOIR, Villa Zadar represents the essence of our work, curating art that moves, challenges, inspires and invites for dialogue.
Working closely with Steininger Designers, the art was integrated into the architectural rhythm of the villa, each artwork positioned with care. Sculptural works were placed to catch the Adriatic light; photography reflected the textures and tones of the interiors; and soft, abstract compositions offered moments of pause.
The collaboration between architecture, interior design, and curating became seamless, a conversation where materials, lines, and artworks spoke the same language of calm and emotional depth and yet are a reflection of the owners.
