Home Tour | Milan Pied-à-terre by Tutto Bene

Set within a historic turn-of-the-century palazzo in Milan, this pied-à-terre by Tutto Bene reflects their vision for a versatile home that balances historical integrity with modern minimalism.

For Felizia Berchtold and Oskar Kohnen of interior and architecture studio Tutto Bene, their apartment is at one with their design ethos—simple, nuanced and measured. Located in a palazzo in Milan’s Magenta district, the century-old apartment was formerly an office and has been redesigned as a responsive home and workspace for the pair, who divide their time between London and Milan.

“There was no formal brief for this apartment. It grew from our desire to create a home that mirrors the rhythms of our daily life and work,” says director and interior designer Felizia Berchtold. “Given the home’s compact scale, we designed every corner to invite particular moments—working, cooking, gathering—and moving through the areas follows a gentle choreography of use.”

The apartment’s interiors are ‘restrained yet decadent’. Informed by the original terrazzo floors and the verdant terrace beyond, the redesign strikes a dynamic balance, celebrating heritage through a modernist lens.

A material palette of silver leaf, rosewood and marble echoes traditional Italian craftsmanship, while the furnishings embody a simple modernity that bridges eras. Drawing inspiration from Kazimir Malevich’s seminal Black Square artwork, the black Kubus in the integrated living and office area anchors and divides the space with its simple form, fostering a dialogue between historic and modernist design. Likewise, in the kitchen, the cabinetry is composed of geometric squares intricately layered in silver leaf—an ‘inherently fragile’ material applied by artisans onto paper backing to preserve its integrity.

“This brings a human touch to an otherwise minimalist space, showing that the process and the hand behind the material can imbue a space with presence and depth,” Berchtold says.

Maya Romanoff’s Precious Metals collection features on the kitchen cabinetry, where fine silver leaf is hand-layered with chopsticks onto paper backing and finished with a topcoat for durability.

A sterling silver ‘Ciotola Conchiglia’ bowl by Maria Luisa Belgiojoso, designed in 1981, complemented by Venini Murano glass vases.

Elsewhere, solid materials such as marble and stone are strategically integrated to reflect Milan’s rich material lineage. “In Milan, stone is everywhere—unlike our London home, where wood predominates—so we embraced the city’s inherent solidity while weaving in a luxury you can feel in everyday interactions with the space,” Berchtold says.

Classical plasterwork and historic detailing throughout the space are another ode to heritage. Similarly, the one-hundred-year-old wisteria located on the terrace is an enduring reminder of the apartment’s legacy. Other standout moments include the Trompe-l’œil mural by Oskar, a 1940s Lalique glass mirror and gilt-iron console by Luigi Colli located in the entry, and Japanese Shunga prints by Eizan Kikugawa in the living area. A calming neutral colour palette is accented by playful moments of yellow and green—mint-green French doors and architraves, and butter yellow walls—instilling a joyful warmth.

Honouring the building’s architectural legacy, the apartment retains its grandeur through a distinctive contemporary perspective, true to Tutto Bene’s exacting signature style. “Ultimately, the apartment inspires and sustains the way we choose to live,” Berchtold says.

A considered piece, the chrome and rosewood table provides a versatile workspace with a quiet material presence that complements the home’s restrained aesthetic.

Art is curated with restraint, in a discerning spatial narrative that embraces heritage alongside modernist design sensibilities.

In the primary bedroom, ‘A Speckled Egg’ by Olga MacKenzie in sheepskin and ‘Atom’ table clock by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, crafted from cast brass and patinated with brushed details.

More than a functional storage piece, the black Kubus, composed of fabric panels, serves as a visual divider within the integrated living and work areas.

Historical motifs, including a cast of a Roman Bacchanalia, serve as a visual connection to antiquity, reflecting Italy’s layered history.

“The apartment is sparsely furnished with intention, with each piece chosen, designed or built by us,” Berchtold says.

Abundant with palm trees and a century-old wisteria, the terrace infuses the apartment with natural light and greenery, dissolving the perceived threshold between indoors and out.