Like a curtain rising on a stage, the vibrant red of this home immediately captures attention, transforming what was once an unremarkable apartment into a colorful and captivating set. This historic home, located in one of Milan’s most chic areas, with its white walls and terrazzo floors, was a neutral space waiting for transformation. The client, long fascinated by Parisian aesthetics and the atmosphere of the Moulin Rouge, sought something entirely different from their primary residence: a dream of a second home that could become a retreat inspired by the theatrical world, immersing them in a flamboyant atmosphere during their short stays in Milan.
The transformation, completed in just one month, required interventions both significant and meticulous. The walls were adorned with hand-painted boiserie and upholstered in luxurious velvet reminiscent of theatrical curtains. For such a project, it was crucial to select the finest fabrics, ultimately choosing premium materials from the Hermes Casa and Dedar collections. Special attention was given to the ceilings, where decorations were first created on paper and then applied to the walls, producing a three-dimensional effect that mimics bas-reliefs. In the bedroom, a grand canopy bed dominates the space, surrounded by a collection of oil paintings that dress the walls. Every element was chosen and placed with the precise intention of contributing to the overall theatrical effect.
The result is an apartment transformed from a living space into an immersive environment, a uniquely habitable stage. Deliberately over-the-top and richly decorated, the space presents itself as a theatrical set—opulent for everyday living but perfect for short, memorable stays. Like a luxury hotel suite, this apartment offers the client an escape into another world, where excess becomes the norm and theatricality reigns supreme. It is a space that does not aim to be practical or functional but instead to amaze and transport those who enter into an entirely different dimension, far removed from everyday life.