Italian loft

We designed this 5-meter-high loft in an old metal factory in milan. The goal was to pay homage to the original industrial use of the building while avoiding minimalism and preserving the open plan. Innovative materials and finishes are on full display in the living room. The glass stairs add an unexpected lightness, and it has been used oxidized copper films to achieve the appearance of the wall behind the sofa. This home exemplifies what we mean by an "italian style loft:" it's open and fluid yet intimate, warm and seductive. Most of the leather furniture in this apartment is very dark, with the exception of a single red chaise next to the bookcase. In the loft there is no physical separation between the rooms, but the zones, or rather, the functions, are characterized by materials and colors. In this case, inside the living room we wanted to 'narrow' the reading area with a chaise longue in a strong color contrast. In the dining room the concrete floor's been finished with epoxy resin mixed with powdered metals and its appearance is softened considerably. The dining room walls were inspired by the “case cantoniere” [keeper's cottages] typical of the italian railways, with the characteristic red color. In this case, we simulated a broken plaster, as if it had been ruined by time. In the kitchen stainless steel covers the cabinetry and work surfaces. The extensive use of stainless steel does lend a commercial air to this room but it doesn't feel cold or industrial. The sink was constructed of reinforced concrete and covered with a spanish tile that mimics iron. In the bedrooms we used wood floors: a french oak flooring, built using the old, recovered beams. The parquet is made using the first layer of beams, which bear the marks of time. The second bathroom appears to have more vintage-appearing fixtures, a style not used elsewhere in the apartment. The third bathroom shows a completely different style from the other two baths. The sink in the laundry was was done with the same technology as the master bath, concrete, but instead of ceramic-coated, we used the glossy resin which, once dried, has taken an intriguing crackle effect.