Architect Giuliano dell’Uva wanted to create a Milanese home that celebrated furniture designs of the 1970s and 80s. However, after finding art deco frescoes and detailing during building work, he had to rethink his plans to protect the apartment’s history. What emerged is a stylish compromise full of contrasting colours and eras.
The transition between the different segments of this home – the white living room, black entrance hall and original plaster that surrounds the dining table – can all be seen in the open-plan dining room, which looks over the small Juliet balcony.
The room is dominated by a granite ‘Samo’ table by Carlo Scarpa for Studio Simon – a 1970s classic – and surrounded by two black ‘Botta’ chairs by Mario Botta for Alias, a yellow prototype seat by the homeowner and another black chair that’s a retro model from Cerruti Baleri. The ‘Coupé’ floor lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce reaches over this congregation of design pieces.
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In the living room, meanwhile – a modern, graphic installation of a room – there’s a lowered ceiling that protects the original art deco details above. The stepped fireplace is custom-made, while the bold blue sofa is by Francesco Binfaré for Edra. The mirrored ‘Brasilia’ coffee table by Fernando and Humberto Campana, also for Edra, plays host to a silver ‘Colosseum’ bowl by Jaime Hayon for Paola C – its form is an homage to great Italian architecture.
Depicting Giuliano’s hometown of Napoli, the photograph on the wall is by Thomas Ruff, from Galleria Lia Rumma.
A bespoke neon piece stating ‘I find you around every corner’ illuminates the art deco ceiling in the kitchen. Here, the engraved black marble countertop of the island has a gridded pattern that brings to mind the iconic ‘Quaderna’ table by Superstudio for Zanotta. The bar stools are a vintage model by Bieffeplast and the 1970s pendant lights are by Hans-Agne Jakobssen.
Finally, dressed in ‘Milano’ linens from Society Limonta, the bed is crowned by a vintage wood and brass headboard by Italian brand Frigerio. Above hangs a gallery wall of works by artists including Maurizio Galimberti, Xanti Schawinsky and Hsiao Chin. The bedside table is the ‘Servomuto’ by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta and the ‘Lampiatta’ wall lamp is another 1970s design, by Jonathan De Pas, Donato D’Urbino and Paolo Lomazzi for Stilnovo.
