High above Milan’s Piazza Sempione and Arco della Pace, an urban retreat sits on the top floor of a historic building designed by architect Vittoriano Viganò. Walk out onto the terrace, and the intoxicating scents of the Mediterranean fill the air. The homeowners, Dora and Marco, instantly fell in love with the penthouse. They had a vision for their new home: a green outdoor area that would be a seamless continuation of the apartment, where they could enjoy the colors and fragrances of nature while sitting in the heart of Milan. The designers, Lupettatelier, working with Cecilia Avogadro, focused on the existing terrace, which felt like a magical destination at the end of a journey through the apartment’s interiors.
Situated between the living room and terrace, a large window fills the interior living space with natural light and green hues that set the tone for the entire apartment. Not only that, the window serves multiple purposes, as the wide oak frame allows it to be used as a reading nook, too. Beside the Carrara marble dining table by Fratelli Levaggi, the frame also allows the colorful geometry of the terrace’s Ceramica Bardelli tiles to pop.
The pink-and-green palette of those tiles outdoors call to the colors of the cc-tapis carpet inside. This defines a welcoming seating area with two sofas and a Chinotto armchair by Azucena. Facing the window is a custom bookcase designed by the architects in the same shade of green as the walls that anchors the living space. The doorways to the office and kitchen were painted a dynamic burgundy hue.
The neutral-toned kitchen, by Cesar, is Dora’s favorite part of the apartment—it’s here that the family often gathers. Exuding authenticity, its appealing touches include a set of handcrafted ceramics and a warm gold mirror next to white Louis Poulsen wall sconces. The area culminates outside, beyond the glass door, amid the scents of fruit trees and herbs.