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INTERIOR & DÉCOR, but with a twist

A Milanese Duplex Where Past and Present Intersect

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Set atop a 1930s residential building in the heart of Milan, just minutes from Piazza Cadorna, this duplex penthouse redefines the notion of urban living. Distributed across the fifth and sixth floors, the apartment is the result of a substantial renovation project led by architect Matteo Italia of Italia & Partners. The intervention reconciles the historical character of the building with a contemporary sensibility, avoiding nostalgia while retaining a dialogue with the past.

From the street, there’s little indication of what lies above. But behind the understated façade, the apartment opens onto four terraces, a rarity in this part of the city. This outdoor presence plays a decisive role in shaping the atmosphere of the interiors, dissolving the boundary between inside and out, and creating a sense of suspension above the urban fabric.

Courtesy of Monica Spezia/Living Inside
Courtesy of Monica Spezia/Living Inside
Courtesy of Monica Spezia/Living Inside
Courtesy of Monica Spezia/Living Inside

The layout has been completely reworked. The fifth floor houses the main living areas, including a large open-plan living and dining room, the primary bedroom suite, and kitchen. Originally fragmented and darkened by decades of successive alterations, the space has been opened up both horizontally and vertically. The centerpiece is the double-height salon, into which a mezzanine partially cantilevers – an architectural gesture that introduces volume, light, and perspective. The sixth floor, once sealed off with a solid concrete floor, now floats above the main space thanks to a transparent glass platform, allowing natural light to filter through and creating visual continuity between the levels.

Attention to light has been central to the project, not just as a technical or atmospheric tool, but as a structuring principle. Tall windows, glazed partitions, and soft, indirect lighting schemes help to articulate space without enclosing it. The main living area connects to a large, 70-square-meter terrace planted with grass, which includes a small golf practice area – an eccentric but personal touch requested by the owner. A second rooftop terrace offers expansive views over Milan’s skyline.

Courtesy of Monica Spezia/Living Inside
Courtesy of Monica Spezia/Living Inside

Material choices reflect a desire for timelessness rather than trend. The original herringbone parquet has been preserved and restored, while new elements – custom wood paneling, bespoke marble surfaces, and tailored metalwork – introduce layers of craftsmanship without excess. The kitchen and bathrooms feature refined materials like Calacatta marble by Molteni&C. and Pietra d’Avola by Salvatori, used with precision rather than opulence. Custom-made pieces—such as the glass partition by Rimadesio or the bespoke washbasins by Salvatori – reveal a measured approach to luxury, rooted more in detail than in display.

Furnishings are selected with consistency and restraint. The coffee table by Molteni&C. features a custom finish; the dining table by Rimadesio is paired with chairs from Maxalto. Textiles by Dedar, wallpapers from Hermès, and complementary cushions in the living area tie the space together chromatically. The staircase connecting the two levels is lined with Fornasetti’s "Nuvole" wallpaper, adding a quiet narrative layer to the vertical transition.

Courtesy of Monica Spezia/Living Inside
Courtesy of Monica Spezia/Living Inside
Courtesy of Monica Spezia/Living Inside
Courtesy of Monica Spezia/Living Inside

Outdoor areas are furnished with pieces from Missoni Home, including chaise longues, cushions, and decorative elements that lend character without excess. Lighting is another carefully considered component: wall fixtures by Tom Dixon, pendant lamps by Michael Anastassiades for Flos, a dramatic chandelier by Nemo above the dining table, and concealed perimeter lighting by iGuzzini contribute to a layered, ambient glow throughout the home.

Courtesy of Monica Spezia/Living Inside
Courtesy of Monica Spezia/Living Inside
Courtesy of Monica Spezia/Living Inside
Courtesy of Monica Spezia/Living Inside

The result is a residence that avoids grand gestures in favor of cohesion and subtle complexity. Rooted in Milan’s architectural legacy yet reimagined for contemporary life, this duplex finds its identity in light, material richness, and a continuous interplay between interior and exterior. Elevated above the city, both literally and conceptually, it offers a refined but unpretentious way of living – fluid, open, and quietly attuned to its surroundings.

GALLERY

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