Carrillo at Marbella Design: three projects, three narratives, nothing left to chance
Since its first edition in 2017, Marbella Design & Art has established itself as the leading platform on the Costa del Sol where art and interior design converge. Each year, the festival transforms the Marbella Congress Centre into a showcase of creativity and innovation, bringing together interior design studios, artists and furniture brands around proposals that combine aesthetics, functionality and narrative.
To mark this edition, at Carrillo we wanted to take a look back at our journey within the fair, revisiting the three occasions in which we have participated and showing how our studio has explored and evolved its identity in this unique setting: from spatial storytelling, through emotion and sensory experience, to sustainability and responsibility as key pillars of design.
La Casa Abierta, Laura Carrillo´s proposal in the 5th edition of the art and design fair
Carrillo’s first step into Marbella Design came with La Casa Abierta, presented at the fifth edition. Designed for the brand Besform, the project combined a “day & night” concept with a contemporary and elegant approach, exploring the fluidity of open spaces and the interaction between different areas of the home—dining room, sitting area, bedroom and dressing room. Every corner was carefully connected through colour, materials and art, with the work of Judà Muñoz acting as both inspiration and a unifying element.
Colour ceased to be merely decorative and became a narrative tool, from chromatic explosions on the floor that seemed to “jump” out of the artwork to the saffron orange tones of Besform in the dressing area, a nod to customisation and craftsmanship.
Attention to detail, the integration of art and the functionality of the furniture resulted in a space that was not only to be seen, but to be lived and experienced, reflecting Carrillo’s philosophy that every project must have its own identity and a clear narrative.
Recognition soon followed: La Casa Abierta was awarded first prize for the best fusion of art and interior design, validating Carrillo’s vision that design should communicate and evoke emotion beyond what is merely aesthetically pleasing.
La Casa Abierta embraced the use of colour and dynamic spaces. Photograph by Paloma Pacheco Turnes.
Primary Love: our proposal for Marbella Design 2023
In the 2023 edition of Marbella Design & Art, Carrillo presented Primary Love, a project that marked a shift towards the intangible. It was not simply about creating a space to be admired, but about building an experience to be felt—an emotional journey connecting memory, relationships and the deepest sensations of those who inhabit it.
Primary Love was conceived as a blank canvas where each element interacts with the next, creating a balance between neutral luminosity and vibrant accents. The warm wall coverings by ArteWalls coexist with the off-white upholstery by Stylish Club, resulting in an elegant, contemporary and lively space. Technology is seamlessly integrated into the narrative thanks to Gira Ibérica, co-sponsor of the space alongside Stylish Club, adding a functional layer that blends naturally with the aesthetic proposal. Light, far from being just a resource, becomes a language through Eflux’s “Serpentine” installation: a composition of luminaires that introduces rhythm and movement, turning lighting into a tangible emotion.
Art also plays a central role. The piece Trojan Horse by Elvira Carrasco adds volume and colour, reinforcing the space as a dialogue between interior design and artistic creation. Every decision, from materials to lighting, was conceived to convey the idea that a space can be more than aesthetic—it can be emotion, memory and experience.
The project received recognition that matched its ambition. Carrillo was awarded for the best integration of art in interior design, recognised for the best team, and received an honourable mention for three generations of talent, confirming the coherence and strength of its vision. With Primary Love, Carrillo not only designed a space, but transformed interior design into a means of expression and an experience that lingers in memory long after it has been visited.
In Primary Love, Laura Carrillo sought to honour her family heritage and highlight the strength of our deepest connections . Photograph by Paloma Pacheco Turnes.
2024 Edition, Bajo el mar: a space that breathes awareness
In the 2024 edition of Marbella Design & Art, Carrillo presented Bajo el Mar, a project that invites reflection on our relationship with the planet and the oceans, which give us life and oxygen, yet are increasingly under threat.
Developed in collaboration with Uecko, the space embraces recycled materials, plant fibres and artisanal processes, ensuring that each element is not only visually appealing but also responsible. The collaboration with artists and companies committed to sustainability, such as Barbara Long and Nagami, helped create an environment that encourages visitors to pause, observe and reflect on how we care for what surrounds us.
Technology and lighting were integrated naturally to support the concept without overpowering it, reinforcing a sense of harmony between aesthetics and environmental awareness. Every detail, from furniture to finishes, conveys the idea that interior design can be a space not only for feeling, but also for reflection.
The project was recognised with first prize for the most ecological and sustainable project and second prize for best product, reaffirming that thoughtful and conscious design can also be inspiring and memorable.
The circular entrance to Bajo el Mar already invited visitors to immerse themselves in the depths of the oceans. Photograph by Paloma Pacheco Turnes.
Throughout its three participations in Marbella Design & Art, Carrillo has shown that interior design can be creativity, emotion and professionalism. From La Casa Abierta to Bajo el Mar, each project leaves a clear and recognisable mark, combining art, design and sustainability.
True to her philosophy, Laura Carrillo has demonstrated at this fair that her work is defined by unique projects with soul.
Laura posting in two of her spaces created for Marbella Design & Art. Photographs by Paloma
Pacheco Turnes.
