Gozitan entrepreneurial spirit hits London’s Fulham Road

Gozitan interior designer Francis Sultana has opened his eponymous showroom in the heart of London, launching a namesake furniture collection characterised by his love for glamour and luxury.

Francis Sultana Ltd, located on Fulham Road, is showcasing his own collections and a carefully curated selection of antiques, art furniture, luxurious textiles and signature accessories, offering bespoke services for customers to acquire 20th-century and contemporary design.

Mr Sultana, who left for London on his gap year and has lived there ever since, was previously creative director of David Gill Galleries, accumulating 20 years of experience working with international visionary creatives including the likes of renowned Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, designer Mattia Bonetti, design duo Fredrikson Stallard and artists Barnaby Barford and Oriel Harwood.

At 38, the interior decorator, art collector and furniture designer has decided to branch off alone, opening his showroom-cum-studio, Francis Sultana Ltd, at the exact location where contemporary art and design dealer David Gill opened his first gallery some 25 years ago.

He is now lending his expertise in the decorative and applied arts to clients who want to purchase outstanding contemporary pieces and commission unique works by international artists and designers.

“What differentiates me from the majority of interior decorators is that I design so much of my own furniture as well as commissioning work from other artists.

“I like to think I am emulating Jean-Michel Frank, the genius of French modernist design, who also combined his own designs with those he commissioned from artists such as Matisse and Giacometti.”

Mr Sultana’s clients are the “elite few” – a perfectionist, he oversees every project personally. His recent works include a London mansion, a Greek island retreat and two Manhattan properties – an Upper East Side pied à terre and a grand-scale SoHo apartment – projects that illustrate his love of luxury and use of silk velvet materials, artisanal metalwork and bespoke glass.

Mr Sultana advocates contemporary design that is also respectful of craftsmanship. He is passionate about “the beauty of the making of an object” and bronze is a particularly favourite material to the designer.

Born and raised in Nadur, for him London is “the most excitingly creative city on the planet” and the ideal location to launch his own aesthetic to a wider world. “I want to show that creating a home is not about fashion. It is about security, sophistication, comfort and personality.” Mr Sultana’s message has always been: “Rather than merely decorating your house, you should aim to create something that will be remembered.”