Milanese spirit

Interior design by Studio Marco Piva

From the interior designers:

Located in a newly built residential building in the Washington district of Milan, the apartment unfolds over three levels and is designed for a family of five. 

The project naturally interprets the typically Milanese dialogue between history and innovation. 

A neighbourhood characterised by historic buildings and a strong presence of green spaces becomes the ideal context for a contemporary urban villa project that embraces modern design while maintaining a deep sense of warmth and balance.

Living – enhancing perception of space

The living area opens into a spacious double-height living room that enhances both natural light and the perception of space. 

The interiors are designed to accommodate everyday family life as well as moments of social gathering. 

A large sofa becomes the focal point of the room – an invitation to conviviality, relaxation, and lingering.

Dining – graphic character

The dining area is organised around a large table with clean lines, framed by dark volumes and suspended lighting that emphasise its graphic character. 

The decorated wall adds depth and identity, defining an elegant and convivial space designed for everyday sharing.

Kitchen – balancing function and discretion

Behind a sliding door lies a compact and efficient operational kitchen, organised in an L-shaped layout to concentrate all functions within a practical workspace. 

Matte black volumes interact with a light marble-effect countertop, while a wooden snack counter introduces a warm and informal touch. 

The result is a technical yet refined environment, perfectly balanced between functionality and discretion.

Intermit patio – achieving privacy and tranquility

The living area extends naturally outdoors, creating continuity between interior and exterior spaces.

Large openings connect the living room with a sheltered urban patio, furnished as a true outdoor room. 

The pergola filters the light and defines the convivial area, while perimeter greenery ensures privacy and tranquility, isolating the space from the surrounding urban context. 

It becomes a measured and refined extension of the living area, designed to enjoy outdoor living throughout the seasons as an integral part of the home.

Sculptural staircase – merging function and aesthetics

The staircase on the ground floor becomes a central architectural element within the living space – a light and contemporary gesture that crosses the room without weighing it down. 

Cantilevered steps and a transparent glass balustrade emphasise the double height and amplify natural light, creating a continuous dialogue between the different levels of the house. 

More than a simple vertical connection, the staircase becomes a design statement that merges functionality and aesthetics, contributing to the airy and sophisticated atmosphere of the home.

The colour palette is delicate and refined. 

Neutral tones – ivory, sand, and warm greys – interact with the warmth of natural wood parquet flooring. 

Dark volumes introduce depth and character, while subtle accents of colour, carefully applied in decorative elements and textiles, animate the space without overwhelming it.

Material palette – a luminous elegance

Material choices express a luminous and essential elegance: light surfaces and graphic details are paired with fluted-effect wallpapers in the bedrooms and marble-effect finishes in the bathrooms.

 Suspended furnishings and clean lines complete functional yet refined environments, conceived as spaces for everyday well-being—timeless, understated, and elegant.

Children’s bedrooms – introducing personality

The children’s bedrooms share the same design language, interpreted differently according to the needs and personalities of their occupants. 

One room is conceived as a more essential and functional space, characterised by a sober and orderly atmosphere with neutral tones and practical materials. 

The other bedrooms maintain the same formal clarity while introducing a softer and more intimate dimension: enveloping fabrics, light palettes, and discreet decorative details accompany both study and rest areas. 

These are bright, balanced, and versatile environments designed to evolve over time alongside their inhabitants.

Lighting – welcoming atmospheres

Lighting is conceived as an integral part of the project – discreet yet highly functional. 

Targeted fixtures and integrated systems highlight architectural volumes and support the various functions of the home, while the large suspended light in the living room becomes a scenic feature that emphasises the verticality of the space and acts as an iconic element of the project. 

The lighting is carefully calibrated, never intrusive, and designed to create welcoming atmospheres that can shift throughout the day.

Character plus – creating an authentic, personal feel

The project deeply reflects the identity of the homeowners, translating their tastes, habits, and aspirations into measured and coherent design choices. 

Each space emerges from a thoughtful dialogue between everyday needs and aesthetic sensitivity, giving shape to a home that feels authentic and personal.

In summation – elegance without ostentation

The result is an apartment that expresses a contemporary Milanese spirit: elegant yet never ostentatious, respectful of the urban context, rational in its solutions, and attentive to atmosphere. 

This apartment is now a space designed to be truly lived in, where architecture supports everyday life with discretion, comfort, and refined lightness.

Story by: Trendsideas