The Milan Apartment Revival: Perfect Harmony of Versatility, Style, and Characteristic Colors

In the heart of Milan, a 130-square-meter apartment has been transformed into a family life oasis, where aesthetics meet practicality thanks to custom furniture solutions and a color palette inspired by Nordic nature...

The original apartment had a fragmented and closed layout, lacking a second bedroom and with a kitchen separated from the rest of the rooms. The renovation was designed to create a more spacious and comfortable living area, add a second bedroom, and introduce a workspace/guest room. In the new design, built-in wardrobes and cabinets were integrated for optimal space usage and a smooth flow throughout the environment. Special attention was given to increasing the amount of natural light, strategically placing furniture to maximize natural light in the most frequently used spaces during the day, and combining natural materials with various color tones to give each room a unique atmosphere.

The project's focus was on using multifunctional furniture blocks to create a core that effectively separates the living area from the sleeping zone. The entire living area was conceived as a large open space, with continuous furniture extending from the entrance, transforming from storage space to living room, elegantly enveloping the doors leading to the sleeping area. The choice of single-piece furniture in a calming shade was crucial for creating a neat, functional, and distinctive atmosphere. This solution not only ensured a consistent aesthetic but also allowed for a homogeneous and harmonious design. Using one color for each piece of custom furniture created a space with impeccable visual cohesion, giving it personality and style.

The choice of finishes was driven by a desire to create pleasant and distinctive spaces that are in tune with nature not only visually but also through tactile contact, promoting a unique multisensory experience. The entrance welcomes guests with the delicate texture of Fornasetti "Nuvolette," a visual and tactile invitation that extends into the living room. The encompassing warmth of Italian herringbone parquet permeates the entire apartment, excluding the bathrooms, creating a welcoming atmosphere. In the living room with an open kitchen, natural finishes offer a diverse tactile experience: from the wooden wall units to the authentic Ceppo di Grè stone on the kitchen island top, enriching the context with material and color nuances. The mint green color of the multifunctional block adds a touch of nature and order to the room, while the natural light and balcony, where a small indoor garden adds a touch of green, catch the eye. This multisensory approach permeates every corner of the house, giving the apartment an all-encompassing and harmonious atmosphere. The same approach was applied to other rooms in the apartment.

The lighting system was designed with different scenarios to suit various activities occurring in the home environment. For the living area, technical lights were chosen to encourage concentration in work zones, while iconic decorative Frisbi lights by Achille Castiglioni were selected to add style and personality. Above the TV, ambient lighting was created using Davide Groppi's elegant Infinity, adding a warm and cozy touch to the living space.

The use of color plays a key role in identifying and defining spaces within the home. Each space is characterized by a specific shade, carefully chosen to reflect the residents' personalities and needs, while maintaining visual cohesion through a common thread that connects the color with the natural materials present, such as stone and wood. The entrance, for example, is highlighted with a distinctive shade that acts as a bridge between the interior and exterior, welcoming and preparing guests upon entering the apartment. The presence of a green central spine in the multifunctional hallway block not only outlines the transitional space but also creates chromatic continuity extending to the sleeping area, where the color harmoniously blends with the various textures of Terrazzo marble, giving a sophisticated touch to the guest bathroom.

The master bedroom is designed as a suite, a private space dedicated to relaxation and intimacy. It offers ample space with a large built-in wardrobe integrated into the wooden structure and an en-suite bathroom with a bathtub and shower for moments of pure serenity. The room's design is distinguished by refined textured paneling, creating an evocative tactile and visual rhythm, giving timeless elegance. A striking contrast is provided by the dominance of blue, with vibrant brick accents adding warmth and vitality to the space. This harmonious combination of complementary colors, with various light shades, gives the room a pleasant and sophisticated feel. In the en-suite bathroom, the rhythm of dark metal blends with the beauty of Ceppo di Grè stone, both on the floor and vertically around the freestanding tub. To complete the atmosphere, the space is lit with diffuse lighting in the center and elegant decorative directional lights above the nightstands, adding a touch of sophistication and functionality with Aim lamps by Flos.

Creating a pleasant and functional space for guests without neglecting the practicality of the study was a challenge successfully met in this transformation. The former kitchen was converted into a versatile guest room, equipped with a special built-in wardrobe, a comfortable sofa bed, and a fully equipped work nook. The entire décor was chosen following a Nordic style, with a neutral and warm color palette that promotes a pleasant and calm atmosphere, ideal for encouraging concentration during studying. The children's room was specifically designed for a child, created to grow with them over time. The furniture was designed to adapt to the child's future needs, following the Montessori approach that encourages independence and exploration. A low bed and custom furniture allow the child to move freely and experiment. Every detail, including elements of plants and animals on the wallpaper, is proportionate to their height and stimulates imagination. A custom wall adorned with a soothing shade of blue contains a wooden board with an integrated wardrobe, leaving plenty of space for the child's play and creativity.