A penthouse carefully renovated by Matteo Italia in the heart of Milan. A unique mix of historical charm and contemporary design, with generous spaces, customized solutions and meticulous attention to detail.
BOCCACCIO, a refurbishing project curated by Matteo Italia in the heart of Milan. This penthouse, located on floors five and six of a noble building dating back to the XNUMXs, has attracted the attention of a young couple returning from abroad. Their aspiration was clear from the outset: a prestigious context, steeped in history and with generous outdoor space, a real luxury in a densely populated metropolis like Milan.
The original distribution of the rooms was characterized by a rigidity and anachronistic configuration, not very functional for the ambitions of the new owners, eager to redefine and inhabit these spaces in a contemporary way. Thanks to an intense dialogue with the designer, mutual trust was established, giving life to a renovation concept with clear and precise objectives: a modern design that recalls the atmosphere and the original style of the building; the enhancement of light as a tool for volumetric composition; the creation of comfortable outdoor spaces, designed to ensure privacy, comfort and relaxation for family and guests; and scrupulous attention to detail, including secondary environments as elements of maximum value.
The beating heart of the project is the sumptuous double-height hall on the fifth floor. The floor plan has been re-adapted to meet the needs and functionality of contemporary living. The light that filters through the windows of the terraces floods the large and carefully designed spaces. A warm Hungarian oak floor marries perfectly with the walls in a delicate gray tone, enriched by frames that enhance the style, recalling the era and the upper-class status of the residence. A comfortable corner sofa takes up the colors and motifs of the Hermès fabric that covers the central column of the living room, transforming it into a precious "dress" and design object. And, in view of the hall, there is another point of interest of the project: a large cantilevered mezzanine that overlooks the full-height void of the hall. This design choice makes it possible to effectively lighten and illuminate the environment.
The heavy and massive structure of the old mezzanine has been replaced by a transparent glass box on the parapets and on the floor. The mezzanine floor is supported by a white structural frame and statically by a tie rod, creating a prism that reflects and expands the light instead of shielding it as was the case previously.
The dining table, custom designed and made of marble, becomes the fulcrum of the project, repeating itself in the kitchen coverings. The kitchen itself is separated from the living room by an elegant and transparent door by Rimadesio, called Velaria. The dark frame of this door recalls the linear inserts on the ceiling, along which the light fixtures are recessed, becoming a distinctive sign of the studio and a recognizable element present in many of his works.
Crossing the living room and climbing the wooden and glass staircase, you enter the more private and intimate area on the fifth floor, where the splendid double bedroom is located. This room is embellished with the emerald colored Dedar wallpaper, which decorates the headboard wall of the bed, creating a suggestive atmosphere. The bedroom is also equipped with a luxury private bathroom, characterized by the precious Salvatori ribbed marble.
A separate chapter is dedicated to the outdoor spaces of this apartment. The large terrace on the fifth floor is of a very unusual size for a residence in the city centre. The wooden flooring of the terrace also extends vertically, creating a sort of curtain-rail which, together with the potted plants, offers a reserve of privacy in an open space. A part of the terrace has been dedicated to a putting green for training.
On the sixth floor, there are two other habitable and spacious outdoor areas, but more intimate and familiar. The two panoramic terraces offer different perspectives and a wider view than on the lower floor. Furthermore, from the sixth floor, a staircase leads to access to a further outdoor space furnished with a dining table and sofas. This sort of roof terrace stands as a 360-degree observation point, similar to a tower, on top of the building.
The imprint of the project is completely tailor-made: solutions, details and most of the furnishings are unique and unrepeatable pieces, specially created by the designer in collaboration with the clients and with the contribution of prestigious supplier brands. The deep personalization and the accuracy in the choice of details constitute a further distinctive element of the extraordinary style of this apartment.
project info
Project name: BOCCACCIO Milan
Architect: Matteo Italy – Italy and Partners
Photo: Monica Spezia/Living Inside
Product and style: Frances Sironi
