Interiors Shaped by Memory: How Materials Carry Stories Across Time

At its core is the idea that materials are not neutral but carry cultural memory and a sense of place. Natural materials carry with them traces of place, culture, and time; elements that subtly shape how interiors feel, function, and resonate. 

Bringing together perspectives from international design practice and material-led approaches, the conversation examines how heritage, landscape, and craft traditions continue to shape contemporary interiors. 

Drawing on his Brazilian roots, designer Andre Mellone reflects on how cultural memory and a sensitivity to material translate into his interior practice in New York, where tradition and contemporary design intersect. Alongside this, Sarah Myerscough offers insight into her work with designers who are deeply engaged with natural materials, highlighting approaches that foreground tactility, provenance, and a close relationship to the land. 

Through a range of perspectives, the conversation explores how working with natural materials can become a way of reconnecting with place, memory, and identity. 

TEFAF Talks are interactive panel discussions exploring today’s most fascinating topics in the worlds of art, antiques, and design. Paired with leading content partners, these talks showcase the knowledge of leading experts in the broader TEFAF community. This talk is presented in partnership with The World of Interiors and moderated by Ivan Shaw, Visuals Editor, The World of Interiors.