Luxury in Milan

So moving right along here..... Let's visit Milan, Italy, for our next stop. Of course, no one does it like the Italians do. Italy holds a special place in my heart as my grandparents on both sides came from Italy. My maternal grandparents, Atilio and Aida Zazzetta, were from a small town called San Benedetto del Tronto, in Ascole Piceno -- a beautiful fishing/coastal town by the Adriatic Sea. My husband and I honeymooned in Italy and, as you may have read in earlier posts, I made a decision right then and there that if I ever had a little girl, I would name her after the most beautiful city in the world, Roma.

Roma is now 5 years and always asks me when we will visit her namesake city. Soon, my dear, soon (I hope!).

I absolutely love to travel -- not that I have done it since the kids were born. But when I do, especially now with young children in tow, I like to really savor the place. For that reason, I have opted in many instances to rent an apartment rather than to stay at a hotel. There is not only more privacy I find, but it also enables you to really do a place the way the locals do (i.e. shop for groceries, cook some meals in, relax with a glass of wine on the balcony, etc.). I also love to see how people's design styles change from place to place.

There is a multitude of websites that offer apartment rentals in all parts of the world. There is even an exchange home website where members exchange homes for a period of time. They come to visit your lovely city and home and you go to theirs in Paris, Rome or some place equally as glamorous.

There is an apartment in Via Giuseppe Mercalli, in Milan, Italy, that I absolutely adore. Never stayed there personally, but it is on my bucket list (which is getting longer by the minute). This stunning 400 sq. mt. on 3 levels was thought by a internationally-known artist, who combined the iron and glass structure of an ancient industrial laboratory with her modern art pieces and classical furniture to create an atmosphere of high style and maximum comfort.

The modern entrance, which sets the tone for this architectural gem, leads to the huge living space with its high ceilings.

Here, hidden skylights flood the room with light, and concrete-framed glass panels stand out cleanly against the smooth original flooring. The choice of comfortable couches, luxurious rugs, modern and exotic sculptures, and precious paintings give the room a feeling of warmth.

This floor hosts, hidden by mirrors and walls, a large dining room that comfortably accommodates 12 persons, and a professionally equipped gourmet kitchen with an additional dining nook. Both the living and the dining room open on a verdant patio.

I adore the combination of modern, linen covered sofas with the antique desk and chair and modern art. Both the Roma sofa and the sofa chaise from my own design line would fit right in in this room.

The swedish style dining chairs contrast the modern table and minimalistic room. In fact, because it is so minimalistic, your attention is naturally drawn to the simplistic beauty of the antique chairs.

The kitchen...

Again, antique, white washed chairs blend right in with the modern decor.

The night and relax area, on the upper level, features two double bedrooms with en suite baths. A separate stairway leads to the quiet study-library, guaranteeing complete privacy.

A gilded round mirror breaks the stark modern lines in the bathroom.

This magnificent home has been featured in several magazine and movie productions. This and other equally magnificent apartments throughout the best cities in the world can be viewed and booked through Gentili & Roy.

And if you can't just drop everything and fly out to stay here, don't feel alone. If anything, I love sharing these photos with you as they serve to inspire me in my own design ideas.