Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: An Effortlessly Stylish Apartment in the Heart of Milan
An architect has put her stamp on this 19th century apartment with a mix of industrial pieces and classic designs against a white backdrop
It’s not always easy for an architect to stay focused when renovating his or her own home. There’s time to reflect on decisions, and there may be a temptation to try to make everything perfect. For Milan architect Selina Bertola, however, renovating her own home was less challenging than she expected. ‘Strangely, I had it all pretty clear from the beginning,’ she says. ‘My ideas have been gradually pared down and the various phases of designing and building have followed one another naturally.’
Perhaps that’s because the home is full of history and character, without being extravagant, and has a fabulous location overlooking one of the most spectacular corners of the city.
Perhaps that’s because the home is full of history and character, without being extravagant, and has a fabulous location overlooking one of the most spectacular corners of the city.
Bertola began the renovation, which lasted six months, by enhancing existing structures and elements. The wooden ceiling beams, which had previously been hidden, were exposed, treated and stuccoed.
The apartment’s structural walls would not allow for a major reorganisation of the layout, so the only wall torn down was in the living area, to create an airy, comfortable space.
The apartment’s structural walls would not allow for a major reorganisation of the layout, so the only wall torn down was in the living area, to create an airy, comfortable space.
The kitchen incorporates industrial design elements: hexagonal cement floor tiles, a warehouse-style ceiling lamp and iron and wood shelves.
The kitchen opens into the living room. To separate it from the other rooms in the apartment, Bertola conceptualised it as a box that can be closed or opened.
The rug is a 17th century piece given to Bertola by her grandfather, who purchased it in the 1970s in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The rug is a 17th century piece given to Bertola by her grandfather, who purchased it in the 1970s in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The windows between the kitchen and the dining room open to allow for a chat between the cook and dinner guests. The dining table is by Maisons du Monde, featuring cast-iron tripods on wheels in lieu of table legs. It integrates beautifully with the kitchen box and can be expanded to accommodate larger parties.
Like the rest of the kitchen, the marble worktop was custom-made to complement other features, giving the home an extra touch of personality and warmth.
Check out 10 ways to harness the beauty of marble
Check out 10 ways to harness the beauty of marble
As an architect, and particularly as a Milanese, Bertola couldn’t resist the charm of a few famous 20th century designs. The RAR rocking chair by Charles and Ray Eames for Vitra is seen here in the foreground. In the background, beside the bookcase, sits a lounge chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, reupholstered in a vibrant ochre fabric.
The master bedroom embodies simplicity. The furnishings and linens, for example, are all in shades of white or cream, and are enlivened only by the contrasting blue panel behind the headboard. The only decorative touches are two silk lanterns from Vietnam.
The mirror in one of the bathrooms is positioned directly in front of the window. The mirror is hooked to a rotating bar, allowing the window behind to be fully opened and the space to be ventilated.
The round pendant light was once part of a London bar, and the one to the left is from Belgian company Flamant.
See ways to give your bathroom a dash of designer style
The round pendant light was once part of a London bar, and the one to the left is from Belgian company Flamant.
See ways to give your bathroom a dash of designer style
In the other bathroom, the basin rests on a stand made from an antique Singer sewing machine table’s cast-iron base; the wooden top ties in with shelving found elsewhere in the home.
Patterned cement tiles on the floor contrast with the white metro wall tiles that climb up to the ceiling.
TELL US…
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Patterned cement tiles on the floor contrast with the white metro wall tiles that climb up to the ceiling.
TELL US…
What do you think of this Milanese home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here Selina Bertola and her husband
Location Milan
Size 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Architect: Selina Bertola of Nomade Architettura
Navigli, one of the most famous and liveliest neighbourhoods in Milan, is named after the five famous canals that are a magnet for anyone looking to enjoy an evening stroll or a cocktail. Here Bertola found the home of her dreams: a traditional, 19th century apartment with a balcony.