On the third floor of a 1930s-era rationalist-style building near Corso Buenos Aires in Milan, an elegant apartment has been renovated by Icona Architetti Associati. Initially conceived as a pied-à-terre for occasional use in Porta Venezia, the existing space has been transformed into a residence that its owners use regularly. Reflecting this change in use, the original floor plan has been reinterpreted to give the house a modern urban atmosphere, taking advantage of a creative use of lines and a restricted choice of materials such as wood and marble.
The corridor was completely refigured with the creation of a new space in the initial section, usable as a coat closet at the entrance and a storage on the other side. Divided in two independent segments that are connected through the living area, the corridor becomes a singular space, characterized by two antique statues juxtaposed with elements of contemporary design and a rounded mirror that reflects the profile of the statue and doubles the depth of the space. The entrance is thus transformed into a welcoming and dramatic environment, which reflects the client’s taste for a refined esthetic and the designers’ attention to detail.
At the entrance to the apartment, where the coat closet is decorated with a geometrically patterned wallpaper, guests are immediately welcomed into the brightness of the open space. The spacious living area, created by merging the living room with the kitchen, is characterized by herringbone parquet flooring. Two iconic arched passageways, with wooden intrados that protrude slightly from the wall, connect this room with the two portions into which the original hallway was divided. Parquet flooring is also found in these sections, as well as the bedroom.
The result of adapting previous openings, the arches represent one of the key elements of the style introduced by the renovation, which eliminates the concept of the door in favor of that of a passageway. Their function is essential to guarantee a fluid circulation and overcome the interruption of the corridor at the entrance, connecting the open space to the bedroom and the rest of the house. The designers’ signature style is present in elements like arches, niches, and roundabouts, which evoke a Neoclassical style while repudiating the rigidity of the straight line.
The curved line is echoed in the living room by a beige couch with a crescent-shaped back, matched with a blue armchair and a round rug with a texture reminiscent of a planet in the solar system. Completing the room are a freestanding metal bookshelf with a minimalist design and a dark-toned canvas by artist Lorenzo Puglisi (courtesy of Brun fine art), which contrasts with the muted color palette that dominates the space.
In the kitchen, the large, custom-made Covelano Fantastico marble table is supported by two walnut legs that match the structure of the chairs arranged around the table, and the marble top uses the same stone present in the kitchen backsplash. This creates an intense dialogue between the different furniture elements. The antique-style chandelier that descends over the table also joins the conversation.
The en suite bathroom in the master bedroom features subtle tones and echoes the kitchen finishings, embellished with elegant brass faucets. The guest bathroom is characterized by ceramic cladding that reproduces a series of arches. A marble bust, located next to the bathtub in the corner, adds a distinctive touch to the space.
Location: Milan, Italy
Completion: 2023
Gross Floor Area: 95 m2
Architect, Interior Designer and Art Director: Icona Architetti Associati
Main Contractors: Impresa Edile L.D., Falegnameria Buila
Photography: Monica Spezia, courtesy of Icona Architetti Associati
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