Antonio Aricò’s Milan studio may be small in size, but it has a big personality. Located within a former factory in NoLo (north of Loreto in Milan), the 48-square-metre apartment meets the practical demands of city living while reflecting the varied interests and working life of its owner – a designer, artist and creative director.
When Antonio bought the apartment in 2013, NoLo was still largely industrial and residential. ‘At the time, it was a gamble,’ he explains. ‘But, with its diverse energy and eclectic architecture, the neighbourhood appealed to me straightaway.’ Since then, NoLo has become one of the city’s most creative quarters, attracting a plethora of artists and designers.
The space itself has a distinctive look. ‘The flat has an unusual triangular layout with a long diagonal wall,’ explains Antonio. Two windows face a pale building opposite, so the apartment enjoys ‘soft, diffused natural light throughout the day’.
Rather than dividing the apartment into smaller rooms, Antonio has kept it as a single, open space. ‘Compact homes are often designed with a lot of clever ideas,’ he says, ‘but they can end up feeling quite sterile and impersonal.’ Antonio was looking for something more grounded. ‘It was important for me to remember where I come from. I wanted one room, with the bed at the centre, as it brings back memories of my childhood, when my cousins and I would all sleep together on my grandparents’ bed.’
That statement bed, tall and a little oversized, sets the tone for the rest of the apartment. ‘The bed sitting at the centre is, in part, a homage to Vincent Van Gogh’s The Bedroom,’ he explains. ‘Even though it’s a tight space, I wanted it to contain all the elements of a large, welcoming room.’ Antonio ensured the walls also create a dramatic atmosphere, hand-painting them with mythical figures in a classical style – a tribute to Jean Cocteau’s ‘Greek profile’ drawings and artworks.
Much of the furniture was designed by Antonio and made by his grandfather Saverio Zaminga, a carpenter from Calabria. ‘I was inspired by the pieces seen in 1970s homes,’ he says, ‘mixed with memories of my childhood in southern Italy.’ Wooden shelving holds books, ceramics, prototypes, study models and personal objects, gathered together to tell the story of Antonio’s professional and personal life.
What to Read Next
The compact corner kitchen was also handmade by Antonio’s grandfather, with closed cabinetry that keeps the space largely clutter-free. Pale wood has been given a soft-pink wash with a light water-based glaze and complements the dusky-pink matt tiles.
For Antonio, interior design is never about trends. ‘It’s not like fashion. With clothes, we communicate with everyone we meet. A home is different, it’s more private, and we only share it with the people we choose. That allows us to drop any mask and be ourselves.’
His Milan studio, he concludes, captures the eclectic spirit of his early thirties. ‘Now, I’m working on a new house in Calabria and I’m sure that will reflect how I’ve changed.’
Take a closer look around the apartment below
