This project involved creating a new decorative glass panel for a vintage Faema Urania espresso machine belonging to Chris Natoli of Talk Coffee. At nearly 70 years old, the machine carried a rich history, so the aim was to respect the character of the original artwork while giving it a refined new life.

Rather than creating an exact replica, I developed a refreshed interpretation of the original design and colour palette. The artwork was painted by hand in reverse onto a custom-shaped glass panel using traditional lettering enamels, with carefully applied 24-carat gold leaf introducing warmth, depth and a sense of craftsmanship appropriate to the machine.

The replacement panel allowed the original glass to be safely preserved as part of the machine’s provenance while still returning the espresso machine to its former visual impact. Combining restoration principles with traditional reverse-glass signwriting and gilding, the finished piece celebrates both the history of the Faema Urania and the enduring beauty of handcrafted details.