Downtown Milan is pulsing with frenetic energy just a few blocks from the apartment belonging to entrepreneur and risk management consultant Enrico Guarnerio.
An island of serenity for Enrico and his family, as soon as you step inside, you enjoy a fulfilling silence. The structure of the building – a villa from the early 1900s that is situated in a thriving green area with private gardens – is divided into three apartments, one for each level and each of them characterised by large spaces. Light flows in from the four sides of the house, all of them with full-height glazing.
"I had already set eyes on this charming apartment house some years before," Enrico recalls. "At the entrance, there was a sign saying one of the apartments was for sale, but for many reasons – mostly the usual lack of time – I didn’t call. A little while later, I found out that some friends had just finished the process of buying it. I felt it was a real pity that I didn’t make the call, but sometimes things work out when you least expect it."
Enrico continues, "Incredibly, after a few months I found out the owners had decided to sell the attic – a 3,500sqft apartment that was even more suitable for us. Within five days, I made the purchase official; this time I didn’t waste a single minute and called right away. The space was in terrible condition, but there were details that allowed us to imagine its potential – very high ceilings decorated with old stucco, wood and glass period-doors, the decorations of reconstituted marble flooring that were visible through the dust, the tall windows overlooking the vegetation…" He adds, "The idea of recovering the original features of this beautiful dwelling always appealed to me. Now that it has become our cosy family nest, [my wife] Luminosa and I often recall the facts that brought us to live here just by chance."
The restoration works and furnishings were carried out by well-known interior designer Francesca Neri, together with her collaborator Diletta Stazzi. Though the extensive works proved to be a great challenge, the duo made it possible for the Guarnerio family to move in within seven months. Francesca made plans to revive all the original features present in the space – including the parquet floors, stucco, reconstituted marble, doors and handles – and she executed this with the help of some of the top craftsmen in Italy. Meanwhile, volumes and materials were redefined to meet the needs of a more contemporary lifestyle.
Throughout the apartment, there’s a balance struck between the sinuous elements – such as the curved details of the doors, windows and plaster ceiling roses – and the contemporary-style furnishings. As well as myriad small details, the latter includes the couple’s choice of large 1950s chandeliers, a sizeable table by Draga Obradovic and an ultra-modern kitchen by Boffi.
"I can’t say what my favourite corner of the house is," professes Enrico. "Each and every room has its own identity and a well-defined style – the living room, the corridor, the bathrooms and the bedrooms are all unique spaces. This said, the wide volumes allowed me to create my own private studio, equipped with all the latest technologies, which Francesca knowingly adapted to my character and taste. Though it’s part of the living room, all I need to do for my private working space is close the door. This is great luxury for me, as I can enjoy the beauty even while I’m concentrating on other things." As Fyodor Dostoevsky famously wrote, "Beauty will save the world" – and breathing in the atmosphere from this home is the truth of this statement realised.
Styled by Francesca Davoli; photography by Monica Spezia | Living Inside
See also: This Custom Benetti Yacht Could be Mistaken for a Lavish Mansion
See more of the home in the gallery below:
