DESIGN DIALOGUE WITH GENNARO LEONE

DESIGN DIALOGUE, GENNARO LEONE, LONDON 2026

For Gennaro Leone, collecting is as much about instinct and atmosphere as it is about design history. Through Spazio Leone, he has cultivated a distinctive design language rooted in sculptural forms, storied objects and a deep appreciation for Italian design heritage. Since launching the gallery in London in 2020, the Naples-born dealer and curator has become known for his deeply personal approach to sourcing and curation — bringing together rare furniture, lighting and objects that span movements from modernism and Art Deco to surrealism and Bauhaus, all united by a sense of character, material honesty and emotional resonance.

Now based in a former Victorian textiles factory in Hackney, Spazio Leone pairs collectible works by cult Italian designers with emerging contemporary talent, reflecting Leone’s intuitive and deeply personal approach to design. Following our recent shoot at the gallery, we caught up with Gennaro Leone to talk instinctive collecting, unforgettable objects and the pieces that give a space its soul.

Your gallery brings together vintage design, contemporary works, and deeply personal objects. Can you tell us a bit about the vision behind Spazio Leone?

Spazio Leone reflects the way I live and what I naturally gravitate towards — travel, people, and beautiful things. The gallery is a mix of things I discover and connect with over time, brought together in a way that feels natural and personal.

Is there a design period you always come back to — no matter how much your taste evolves?

The Secessionist movement from Vienna.

What’s the most ridiculous/unforgettable object you’ve ever managed to get your hands on?

Most of the time, the most unforgettable pieces are the ones that don’t carry a designer’s name. They’re usually one-off objects with no real provenance, just pieces with a strong presence, character, and something instinctively special about them.

For someone starting to collect vintage design: what’s the first rule? And what’s the biggest mistake?

There are no real rules for me really. One thing I’ve learned is that sometimes the eye knows things before we do. If you’re naturally drawn to something, there’s usually a reason. The biggest mistake is probably not doing enough research before pricing pieces — instinct is important, but knowledge matters too.

Is there an object in your home you’d save before anything else?

A vase my wife Tessa bought in Venice, which we moved to the top shelf in our living room after we had our baby.

A designer, artist, or movement you think is still underrated?

Contemporary artists in general, definitely. It’s become much harder to break through, especially with fewer design shows happening now, particularly in London. There’s a lot of talent out there that still doesn’t get the visibility it deserves.

Where do you consistently source inspiration outside the design world?

Mostly fashion.

What’s the “gateway drug” into serious collecting?

Usually it starts with that one piece you become slightly obsessed with. Then you begin researching and looking more closely, and before you know it, it turns into collecting.

Have you ever regretted selling something?

''Sell and regret” - that’s something a dealer once told me in Italy, and it’s true.

The chicest chair ever made?

Josef Hoffmann, Cabaret Fledermaus chairs model 728.

Lastly — your favorite Nordic Knots rug, and where would you place it?

Grand – Milano Green, which we have in our bedroom.

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Photographed by Harry Crowder.