Milan Apartment Transformation Featured
The Observer detailed how a cramped two-bedroom Milan flat was reimagined into a harmonious, elegant space showcasing Italian design principles through layout changes, material upgrades, and cohesive styling. Interior designer Jill Seidner shared a three-element kitchen approach using light wood cabinetry, matte stone tile, and warm antique brass to create high-end looks.
- Contemporary Milanese design, the style at the heart of modern Italian design, often emphasizes architectural clarity and tactile richness, utilizing materials like glass, brass, dark wood, and polished stone. - Key principles of Italian interior design frequently include a blend of classic and contemporary elements, prioritizing high-quality materials and craftsmanship. A warm and neutral color palette is often used, with tones like beige, ochre, and terracotta, to create a sense of luxury and sophistication. - Common materials in Italian interiors include marble for flooring and countertops, luxurious leather for furniture, and earthy terracotta tiles. Dark woods such as walnut or mahogany are also central to Italian furniture design, valued for the warmth and detailed craftsmanship they allow. - The design of the apartment, which was originally dark and featured impractical elements like a large marble column, was reimagined by the architectural firm Olbos Studio to maximize natural light. They achieved this by removing non-structural elements and placing the new dining room in the center of the apartment. - The project also focused on creating a dialogue between the apartment's interior and its post-modern exterior, which features clean geometry and concrete circular planters. This was accomplished through details like an arched interior window and a teal blue bookcase that interacts with the outdoor elements. - The "three-element" kitchen approach is likely a reference to the "kitchen work triangle," a concept developed by efficiency engineers Lillian and Frank Gilbreth in the 1940s. This principle focuses on the functional relationship between the three main work areas: the sink, the refrigerator, and the stove. - For optimal efficiency in the kitchen work triangle, the distance between each of the three elements should be between 4 and 9 feet, and the total length of all three sides of the triangle should be between 13 and 26 feet. - Jill Seidner, a Los Angeles-based interior designer, comes from a family involved in the design and building industry and offers both full-service and online interior design.
