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Established by Italian architect Chantal Martinelli and her French husband Julien Desormeaux, Mad Atelier is a little pocket of Mediterranean style transported to London’s East End. Opened in late 2017 on Lower Clapton Road, the store specialises in hand-selected playful pieces by contemporary designers. The mix is constantly evolving as the duo discover new workshops, studios and craftspeople to collaborate with. A reflection of Chantal and Julien’s instincts rather than current trends, Mad Atelier’s vibe is a melting pot of Southern European and Northern African aesthetics – much like the Mediterranean itself. This sun-kissed oasis is also home of Chantal’s architecture and design studio, established in 2013, which has excelled in giving characterful and historic buildings a contemporary reimagining. Mad Atelier’s home, for example, is a former East London boozer that had been empty for 12 years before the couple gave it a new lease of life.