A Fun and Stylish House with a Simple and Elegant Interior in Milan, Italy

Casa Brac-Marseille by Massimo Donizelli

The apartment is located in a historic building in the center of Milan. It is on two levels and has an area of about 120 square meters, about 60 per floor.

On the lower floor there are two bedrooms and a bathroom, while on the upper floor a large living area with open kitchen and a second bathroom.

The two levels are connected by a large staircase that rises from the entrance area to the upper floor, giving us a full view of the original old ceiling in perforated wood to show off the structure of the roof lightened by large skylights shaped on the geometries of the wood. The well of light, in addition to illuminating the whole living room with zenithal light, shows off the mastery of the old wood carpenters, able to fit monk, beams, bolts and struts to support the load of the entire roof.

The set-up and furnishing project therefore tends to contrast the ancient and protected aspect of the ancient structure with a contemporary but at the same time respectful design.

The choice of materials for the fittings was therefore limited to wood and white: Corian, opaque enamel and natural solid wood are therefore the palette of colors and materials of the intervention.

For the two bathrooms, the choice was characterized by a warm gray monochrome: “zebra gray” marble and a nuance with water-based glazing on the wall surfaces. A large illuminated mirror helps to expand the environment by reflecting the magnificent veins of the marble. The bathroom fixtures are also colored in warm gray. The minimal and contemporary taps in polished steel want to remember the classic star knobs, but without falling into the predictable of the quotation.

The set-ups did not have to dominate the simplicity of the extraordinary structure with shapes and colors, and therefore by choice they remained subordinate to this. The kitchen is a monobloc in Corian, a simple opaque white parallelepiped capable of containing, hiding them, all the latest generation appliances. A large solid wood cutting board becomes a comfortable worktop but also a snack top for a breakfast.

The table was made with the same solid wood as the cutting board and rested on crystal blades that make it particularly light and suspended in the air. The Ella chairs by EDRA designed by Jacopo Foggini complete this suggestive environment.

Also by Edra is the comfortable and versatile sofa “On the Rocks” by Francesco Binfarè which completely fills the conversation corner by leaning against the wall and a bar cabinet specially designed to correct the corners of the set-up. A beautiful black Tolomeo by Michele De Lucchi illuminates the area creating the right light for a relaxing reading.

The precise lighting of the different areas was entrusted to the beautiful Marseille lamps by Lecobusier produced by Nemo in their configuration both on the wall and on the applique, which give the environment that touch of high-class vintage.

Taking advantage of a structural plan in the stairwell, a small glass mezzanine was inserted in front of the sofa area capable of hosting a small bookcase in which magnificent silicone vases by Gaetano Pesce were inserted. At the back, in correspondence with the entrance area, a small desk determines the computer area and the work surface.

The intervention is simple and respectful but characterized by elements and areas of particular interest, it is a house where you don’t get bored, you wander around in an environment full of surprises and ideas. History, design, color and light. A walk on the glass mezzanine above the entrance then creates a sense of vertigo which immediately becomes a sensation of floating. A home to live in for those who love surprises and for those who want to feel at home Alice in Wonderland!