ZEST FOR LIFE

With its palette of sunny sorbet shades and space-enhancing design, this Milan apartment is full of good vibes

- Rachel Christie & Laura Mauceri

Hailing originally from the rolling hills of Tuscany, Giulia and Giacomo made the move into Milan's hip Isola district in 2019 when they fell in love at first sight with this beautiful apartment located in a Liberty-era (Italian variant of Art Nouveau) building. North of Porta Garibaldi station and next to Porta Nuovo, Isola is the perfect blend of old Milan, with its historic houses and metropolitan vibe, and new, evidenced by artisan shops, vintage stores, chic restaurants and cool bars.

Although the apartment had been renovated a decade before, as parents to two young children, the couple needed it updated a little in order to function better for family living. So they consulted a family friend, Monica Merra, who owns the architecture and interior design practice Ameno Architettura.

"The previous renovation had eliminated many of the original, more distinctive elements of the apartment,' says Monica. "The space felt somewhat disconnected from its historical charm, and, overall, it was not well-suited for a young family."