Napo Torriani Apartment
In the heart of Milan, within an elegant setting in the Foro Buonaparte area, the project involved the complete renovation of an apartment previously used as an office. The original layout, now outdated, no longer met the needs of contemporary living. Subsequent interventions had also compromised the original elements, such as the flooring, which lacked particular material or decorative value.
The project included the complete demolition of the internal partitions and a rationalization of access points, with the closure of one of the two existing entrances. The new configuration involved relocating the master area to the space previously occupied by the kitchen, allowing the living area to be expanded and enhanced. The layout includes two generously sized bedrooms, both with en-suite bathrooms. The master area also features a walk-in closet and a dedicated gym space.
One of the apartment’s distinctive features is the ceiling height, preserved in all the main rooms and enhanced with simply designed plaster cornices. Exceptions are the service areas such as bathrooms, the laundry room, and the master hallway, where a lowered ceiling accommodates a raised bed in the second bedroom.
The entrance, the first space encountered, was intentionally kept spacious and conceived as a hybrid area that can also function as a workspace when needed. It serves as a connecting space between the master wing, the second bedroom, and the living area. Dominating the scene is oak parquet laid in a French herringbone pattern, an element that dialogues with the wall moldings, period-style windows, and the decorated frames of the reveals. These, present in every room of the apartment, have been further enhanced through the introduction of custom-designed elements: structures that conceal the radiators, transforming them into benches or shelves, thus reinforcing the architectural identity of the spaces while introducing functional solutions integrated into the project’s language.
The living area is characterized by a custom-designed kitchen block in sage green lacquer with brass inserts and a white Carrara marble countertop. The tall volume incorporates access to the laundry room and extends into the living room, where it transforms into an open bookcase that integrates the television.
At the center of the space, an antique solid wood table with a concrete top creates a material contrast with the kitchen. Around it, T-Chair seats by Carl Hansen dialogue with the bespoke furnishings and with elements from different origins within the space. Lighting is provided by the Respiro suspension lamp by DCW éditions, while the walls feature Tube wall lights by the same manufacturer. The walls are enriched with Etruscan terracotta tiles, adding a warm, tactile note to the overall composition.
The living area is completed by a large wooden bookcase, once used as warehouse shelving, now restored and adapted to hold books and objects collected during the owners’ travels. The presence of elements from different cultures recurs throughout the apartment, contributing to a layered and personal environment.
Among the furnishings are several sofas, including the Extrasoft model by Living Divani, and the Chromatica lamp by Flos.
Moving toward the son’s bedroom, a shift in atmosphere is immediately perceived: the parquet flooring gives way to a grey resin surface, paired with blue tones in the furnishings. The space is organized on two levels: the lower level accommodates the play area and wardrobes, while the upper level houses the bed, set within a niche accessible via an integrated staircase. The en-suite bathroom echoes the room’s language, with essential surfaces and vibrant colors. Some antique elements are combined with more technical and contemporary details, such as Aim lamps by Flos installed on the ceiling.
The master wing adopts materials and color palettes consistent with the living area. The bathroom features Etruscan terracotta flooring and marmorino plaster walls, also used for the base of the washbasin, completed with a stone basin. The presence of steel elements such as the door, recessed furnishings, and CEA taps introduces a contemporary note that balances the material richness of the space.
Finally, the master bedroom is defined by a strong chromatic component. The walls and custom-designed furnishings are rendered in shades of blue, contrasted with an ochre-colored bed.
