IIN THE LIGHT OF... FRANCESCA GRESS

Can you introduce yourself?

I am a co-founder, brand strategist, and creative consultant at TMRW Tours, based in Vienna. Having grown up between the Austrian Alps and the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, I was always surrounded by good food and learned to cherish nature and the beauty of simple things. The older I get, the more I understand how much this dual cultural influence has shaped my personality and how valuable it is to my work and to life in general.

How would you describe your creative world?

My creative work focuses on developing brand identities in the hospitality, design, and lifestyle sectors. For me, it's essential to be able to tell the story of a brand, a person, or a destination. Therefore, I approach each project with a thoughtful combination of strategy and visuals to reveal its essence. I'm fortunate to be able to combine this with my passion for photography, which has taught me to appreciate patience and the beauty of details, such as the texture of fine linen fibers, the richness of a spoonful of glossy chocolate ganache, or the interplay between raw materials like stone, wood, and silk.

Tell us a little about your apartment: your inspirations, your lifestyle. What does this space say about you?

I travel a lot for work, so it's important for me to have a place where I feel comfortable. Our apartment is bathed in natural light and furnished with inherited vintage pieces, Italian and Danish design classics, contemporary objects, and deliberately placed pops of color. I love the friction and dialogue between materials and styles, like the contrast between my grandmother's vintage cherrywood sideboard, our 1970s stainless steel bar cart, and an undyed wool rug.

Since my travels often involve meeting local artisans and discovering their skills, I try to bring home a typical item from each destination: a handwoven rug from Mexico, silver cutlery from Oman, or handcrafted ceramics from Puglia. Combined with a selection of books, these objects add a very personal touch and create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in our home.

What role does light play in your artistic creations and design choices?

Photography is the art of light. The interplay between light and shadow creates the dynamism I seek in my photographic work. Furthermore, light and lighting concepts play a crucial role in a brand's identity, making light a central element of my daily work. It allows me to tell a brand's story in a unique way.
visual and emotional, to highlight its aesthetics and to shape the experience it offers.

This is also reflected in my design choices: I am drawn to objects that play with light, whether through interesting reflection or the shadows they cast.

How would you describe Mezzaluna, Yasuke and In The Sun Table, which have found their place in your home?

Each of these pieces plays a distinct role in my interior. I really like the versatility of the In The Sun Table : it's the perfect hybrid of form and function, easily transitioning from a flexible light fixture on our dining table or sideboard to a decorative object on our bar cart or shelf.

Yasuke 's minimalist yet almost majestic form makes it a true design object, resonating with my fascination with the interplay of light and shadow. Its elegant metal structure casts beautiful shadow patterns when the sun hits it, while its diffused light is ideal for creating a soft ambiance.

For me, Mezzaluna embodies discretion and refinement: a beautiful synergy between straight and curved lines, between delicate and powerful forms, which captivate the eye and bring a touch of mystery to the space.

How do you find your design objects?

By browsing through design and art books and magazines, visiting exhibitions, vintage shops, and flea markets. Design auctions are also among my favorites. Often, an object catches my eye, and I then begin to learn about its history and the spirit of the era in which it was created.

Bonus question: Do you have any favorite places in your city that you would like to share?

Crème de la Crème : for the best pastries in Vienna and delicious breakfasts.

TIAN Restaurant and TIAN Bistro : for an exceptional vegetarian experience.

Café Caché : for excellent coffee and breakfast, homemade pastries and fine dining.

Café Comet : a specialty coffee shop to discover a wide variety of beans and different extraction methods.

Calienna : a creative concept blending boutique, café and gallery — one of
My favorite spots for plants and carefully chosen objects.

Softcover : a lovely little shop specializing in books
photography and art, independent magazines and fanzines.

Die Glasfabrik : a three-story vintage shop where I love to hunt for treasures.
antique furniture and small objects.