Carlo Ratti wraps up 'Objectify' with a very Italian summer trip

Architect and urbanist Carlo Ratti has wrapped his summer series Objectify in Wallpaper, a run through ordinary objects, their everyday impact and their often surprising design lineage, with Italy usually in the background. In the final chapter, titled Mosquito coils, garden gnomes and Mutti tins, the Turin native signs off until next season.

Among the items that paraded through the series were unglamorous things like mosquito coils, garden gnomes and Mutti tins. That is exactly where the interest lies for travel folk. Hospitality is won on objects that rarely make a design catalogue and yet shape the real guest experience.

My read for hotels, airlines and operators: less decorative moodboard, more attention to which everyday object can become a small memorable gesture in the room, on board or on the transfer. Summer is over. The inspiration is not.