Tara Bernerd x Frette: Redefining the Architecture of Comfort Through Craft, Character and Design
people • DESIGNERS and makers
British designer Tara Bernerd has long been recognised for creating interiors that blend raw sophistication with warmth and character. From luxury hotels to private residences, her work features a distinct architectural language shaped by texture, proportion, and a strong sense of place.
Her latest collaboration with Frette, The Architecture of Comfort, translates her design ethos into an intimate scale. Inspired by the cities and movements that have influenced her creative vision, the collection combines Frette’s renowned craftsmanship with Bernerd’s modern approach to form and materiality.
In this exclusive Designeers interview, Tara reflects on the evolution of luxury, the importance of authenticity, and how architecture and design can influence emotional comfort in every space.
Words: designeers
NOVEMBER 2025
WEBSITE: tarabernerd.com
INSTAGRAM: @tarabernerdandpartners
DESIGNEERS
How did this collaboration with Frette begin? What made it feel like the right match for you?
Tara Bernerd
The collaboration began quite organically through my friendship with Filippo Arnaboldi, Frette’s CEO. We had known each other for some time and often spoke about our shared values of craftsmanship, authenticity and design. It felt like a natural evolution to work together. I have always admired Frette’s heritage and their unwavering dedication to quality, so the partnership felt instinctive. Our brands share a language of timeless elegance, and this collaboration was truly a meeting of minds.
DESIGNEERS
What was the first spark for the collection? A material, a mood, or a place you had in mind?
Tara Bernerd
I began by going back to my roots, searching for those cities that have inspired me and the artistic movements over time. I explored architecture and graphics that spoke to me about each town and disrupted them; shapes were born. From there, I looked to the materials themselves, working with cashmere and wool and exploring what each could express.
DESIGNEERS
You’ve designed for some of the world’s leading hotels and residences; how has your idea of luxury evolved over time?
Tara Bernerd
Luxury, for me, has always been about authenticity. It lies in the detail, the craftsmanship and the story behind a piece or a place. When designing Maroma, a Belmond Hotel on the Mayan Riviera in Mexico, we worked closely with local artisans and craftsmen to build on the heritage of the hotel whilst also reimagining it for the future.
DESIGNEERS
What kind of feeling do you hope people take away when they live with this Frette collection at home?
Tara Bernerd
I wanted each piece to feel tactile and emotive, to change the atmosphere of a room the moment you touch or see it. Whether in an apartment in New York, a cottage in the Cotswolds, or a beach house in Bali, these pieces should bring a quiet sense of ease and sophistication.
“Each design is rooted in a sense of discovery, a journey through cities and architectural movements that have inspired me. There is a nod to the past, but it is filtered through a modern lens.”
Tara Bernerd
DESIGNEERS
Your projects always carry a strong sense of place. Does this collection tell a similar story?
Tara Bernerd
Each design is rooted in a sense of discovery, a journey through cities and architectural movements that have inspired me. There is a nod to the past, but it is filtered through a modern lens. Much like our interiors, each piece tells a story that feels both timeless and current.
DESIGNEERS
What does this collaboration reveal about how interior designers and heritage brands can work together today?
Tara Bernerd
With genuine respect and understanding, the results can be extraordinary. A heritage brand brings deep knowledge and craftsmanship, while a designer brings a fresh eye and new energy. Together they can create something lasting and true.
DESIGNEERS
Dream dinner guest?
Tara Bernerd
Ayn Rand is someone I would have loved to have met in person.
DESIGNEERS
Favourite hotel in the world?
Tara Bernerd
There are a number, but the Splendido Mare has an eternal appeal.
DESIGNEERS
Design hero?
Tara Bernerd
Zaha Hadid. She was a true trailblazer and a dear friend.
DESIGNEERS
A scent, texture, or sound that always feels like home?
Tara Bernerd
I am always drawn to the woodier smells, and nothing beats a crackling fire in the winter, cooking a roast and the mixture of these scents with a combination of a few scented candles and a beautiful throw.
photography credits
profile image- kate martin
