Design icons redefine luxury: colombo, sartori, peregalli lead 2026 a-list
The world of interior design is about to be reshaped, with a new generation of titans poised to dominate the landscape. ELLE Decor’s 2026 A-List Legends – Carmen Colombo, Laura Sartori Rimini, and Roberto Peregalli – are leading the charge, redefining what it means to create spaces that are both timeless and utterly captivating.
Milanese maestros: a legacy of refined eclecticism
Studio Peregalli Sartori’s approach is singular: to craft interiors that feel instinctively ‘right,’ spaces that possess an inherent sense of history and belonging. Peregalli, speaking from the balcony of their Milan headquarters, emphasized that recognition comes when a design truly resonates. “For us, that’s the best possible validation,” he stated. Their work, often described as ‘reinterpretations’ of the past, avoids slavish imitation, instead offering compelling visions of what could have been, influenced by their early mentorship under Renzo Mongiardino – a figure who shaped the aesthetic sensibilities of families like the Etro and Zegna.
Beyond the polished: embracing shabby chic
While their rooms are lavishly appointed with antiques – meticulously sourced and layered with texture – Studio Peregalli Sartori consciously avoids an overly polished look. Remarkably, they even commissioned the application of trompe l’œil damp stains to one Milanese flat, a deliberate embrace of ‘shabbiness’ championed by Rimini. “We quite like a bit of shabbiness,” Rimini explained, reflecting a philosophy that prioritizes authenticity and lived-in beauty.
A rising star: colombo’s layered vision
Meanwhile, Carmen Colombo’s interiors – exemplified by her New York townhouse for John Currin and Rachel Feinstein – demonstrate a profound understanding of layering and narrative. Her work, showcased in a recent ELLE Decor portfolio, reflects her Iranian and Italian heritage, filtered through a distinctly Californian sensibility, honed at Netflix and underscored by her Yale education. Colombo’s approach is less about imposing a style and more about fostering a space that evolves organically – a testament to her belief that every room has a story to tell.
The new guard: shamshiri’s evocative california cool
Complementing the established icons is Pamela Shamshiri, whose Commune studio is generating significant buzz. Born in Tehran and raised across continents, Shamshiri’s designs are characterized by a layered, worldly aesthetic – a reflection of her multicultural upbringing. Her projects, which range from boutique hotels to private residences, blend California’s laid-back charm with a global perspective, as evidenced by her ongoing furniture collection and partnerships with Christopher Farr and Nanz Hardware. “The light in L.A. is hard to ignore, but it’s really the contradictions that keep me interested,” she mused, hinting at a design philosophy rooted in embracing complexity and evolution.
Sills’s savvy: a curator of provenance
Stephen Sills, a master of historicist design, continues to raise the bar. His firm, known for its discerning eye for antiques and artwork, sources pieces with “heady provenance,” creating interiors that are both visually stunning and deeply resonant. From Billy Baldwin chairs to Christian Bérard portraits, Sills’s projects are a testament to his belief that “inspiration always comes from my clients.” His upcoming monograph promises to showcase another four decades of exceptionally curated spaces.
Dimorestudio’s italian flair
Dimorestudio’s Britt Moran and Emiliano Salci are injecting a dose of seductive Italian flair into the global design conversation. Their mantra – “pushing things that are wrong” – results in interiors that feel genuinely lived-in, devoid of pretension. With projects ranging from the Grand Hotel et de Milan to the Fendi Palazzo Privé, Dimorestudio continues to redefine luxury through a lens of nostalgia and masterful craftsmanship.