Project 01 · Milano
120 m² · Interior Design
HOUSE OF FRAMES
An early-1900s Milanese apartment transformed into a guest house while preserving the character of the original home.
The project began with the building itself. Its monumental Art Deco façade and green marble entrance contrast with the intimate atmosphere of the traditional Milanese courtyard, where the warm afternoon light reflected by the surrounding yellow façades gently fills the apartment. Rather than redesigning the space, the project embraced what was already there. Original cement tiles, herringbone parquet, period doors and architectural details became the backdrop for colour, wallpaper, art and carefully chosen furniture, giving each room its own identity with only minimal structural intervention.
The intention was never to create a conventional guest house, but a home with its own identity—where every room offers a different atmosphere and every space reveals an unexpected detail. The architecture itself inspired the name House of Frames, reflecting the idea of giving every room its own distinct frame and identity.
01
THE ENTRANCE
Designed to make a lasting first impression, the entrance introduces the visual language of the house from the very beginning. The original black-and-grey cement tiles are paired with a bold floral wallpaper, creating a dialogue between historic surfaces and contemporary decoration.
A framed artwork and the sculptural Roly Poly chair complete the composition, while a vintage vase filled with sweets offers a small and unexpected gesture of welcome.
02
THE rose room
This room combines a soft colour palette with the character of the original apartment. Peach walls, floral wallpaper and linen curtains create a warm, intimate atmosphere, while the original patterned cement tiles bring rhythm and contrast to the space.
Furnished with only a few essential pieces, it preserves a sense of openness, allowing colour, texture and natural light to define the room.
03
midsummer night
The room takes its name from the Midsummer Night wallpaper by Wall&decò, which became the starting point for the entire interior. Shades of green, taupe, brass and rust repeat throughout the room, creating a quiet composition enriched by subtle contrasts in texture and material.
Frida Kahlo’s iconic Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird offers an unexpected encounter upon arrival, while the warm afternoon light and small balcony complete the atmosphere.
04
the kitchen corner
Designed around contrast, texture and a deep dark-leather palette, the kitchen corner embraces a deliberately moody atmosphere. Brown walls create an intimate backdrop, while the custom resin-coated table, with its warm honey finish, captures the changing reflections of the day beneath Tom Dixon brass pendants.
A restrained mix of sculptural dining chairs and a classic Eames DSR introduces balance rather than symmetry. Beyond the original glazed doors, a vibrant David LaChapelle artwork becomes an unexpected focal point, while the courtyard window fills the space with the warm afternoon light that transforms the room throughout the day.
05
into the jungle
Conceived as an unexpected journey, the bathroom contrasts the clean simplicity of its white tiles with a rich composition of natural textures and graphic details. Raw jute curtains filter the daylight, soft textile drapes replace rigid enclosures, while brass accents and a striking patterned floor introduce warmth and rhythm.
At the end of the room, a colorful leopard artwork becomes the final detail—bringing a playful finish to a narrative space.
06
The Last Frame
Closing the sequence, the final frame returns to where it all began.
A tribute to the uniquely Milanese contrast between architectural elegance and the quiet intimacy found within.
