In An Art Deco Milan House, Every Detail Tells A Story Even Taps

Original architectural components and space redesign

The residence picked by Marco Paolelli is a typical Milanese apartment in a 1927 structure that reflects the design preferences of architect Portaluppi. It is situated in a building that straddles the rationalism and art deco eras. It likely originated from a student or architect inspired by his structures, which were becoming increasingly in demand by the emerging Milanese industrial bourgeoisie.

The architectural layout of the room contains the typical decorative elements of the era, such as the large windows, geometric plaster decorations in the boiserie and ceilings, and arches or semi-arches in the transit areas. The latter is incredibly well-done; they distinguish between living and sleeping areas and have been rearranged to appear as though they are each serving a specific purpose.

The arched doors in wood and glass, the frieze door at the entrance, and the typical Italian-style parquet laid in a herringbone pattern are just a few of the details that were wisely preserved during the renovation. Surprisingly, it was also possible to uncover the original grit floor, covered by two layers of subsequent rework.

This house’s distinctive personality has been secured through the preservation of its decorations and architectural features, but the spatial layout has instead undergone a significant modernization as a result of the intervention on the long, narrow corridor that all the rooms had previously overlooked and the creation of an open-plan living area.

Instead of leaving it as the apartment’s focal point, it needed to be improved as a passageway between the living and sleeping areas.

That is how…

THE CHROMATIC PATH WILL UNITE CLASSIC DECOR WITH MODERN SELECTIONS

The new family’s housing needs might need more than the different spatial distribution. It was essential to consider combining contemporary materials, furnishings, and technology with the home’s vintage architecture.

The vertical walls, including those of the lengthy corridor, were the key to comprehension.

Alessia Paolelli, Marco Paolelli’s wife, selected elaborate wallpapers with a blue colour scheme. A true chromatic path was created using shades between a peacock and desaturated blue in the living room, powder pink, light blue, and green in the hallway, and white in the bedroom.

The mirrored and repeated elements, which in the corridor become a new decorative element and broaden the perception of space, were another trait union in the project.

Numerous items are produced by client companies and personally created by the designer. It is a way to build narratives, concepts, and personal reflections into the living space that go far beyond basic functionality.

Instead, other furnishings have been specially created for this area using gilded accents or materials like brass to restore the home’s historic character.

The decision to “hide” the technological components while maintaining open, linear spaces is an intriguing final point. For instance, the kitchen’s technical details are hidden, and the television is set up behind a sliding panel above the traditional fireplace.

THE TEXTURE TAP IN EACH BATHROOM HAD A DIFFERENT PERSONALITY.

The two service areas built into the apartment share the same attention to design and meticulous attention to detail.

The first bathroom in the living area is a contemporary room with a sizable fixed glass shower enclosure. The wallpaper and grit floor are in harmony with the blue and baby blue hues, emphasizing the metal profiles of the lights and accessories.

FIMA designed the taps, and the thin ceramics are by Art Ceram and Marco Paolelli.

The geometric undertone complements the 3D decoration of the countertop washbasin in the 3-hole built-in washbasin from the TEXTURE collection, which has a chrome finish and faceted controls in the VERTICAL version.

In contrast, the SPILLO UP series of bidets, which are also chromed, add a more modern touch to a space that is already well-balanced.

The second restroom definitely has a retro-chic feel to it. The ceramics, which have traditional but square shapes, mimic the delicate mint green tones of the wallpaper. The classy white freestanding bathtub is finished with an external bath mixer from the TEXTURE series. It can still be seen from the primary bedroom. The TEXTURE collection always makes a comeback for the wash basin and bidet, declining in the 3-hole countertop version with a swivel arc spout and a single-hole bidet faucet, respectively.

This bathroom also favours the chrome finish, but the controls’ machining is ribbed (HORIZONTAL) and has a white cover.

Given his thorough understanding of the product and his design brief, the designer has, in fact been able to combine the options available, which for the TEXTURE series concern:

Black and white, white Carrara marble, and black Portoro marble; chrome, black chrome, brushed black chrome, brushed nickel, gold;
(Vertical, Horizontal, Cross) knob textures;
The regulation covers (chrome, black chrome, brushed black chrome, brushed nickel, gold, brushed gold, black and white, white Carrara marble and black Portoro marble).

It is therefore intriguing to observe how the same faucet collection, which is offered in various versions, readily adapts to settings with significant personalities, giving each bathroom environment a distinctive look.