Patina of the past?

Vincenzo De Cotiis is a perfectionist, a visionary even. As an architect and designer he transforms spaces and their furnishing and defines them into a coherent universe, harmonious and yet strange – even gently dissonant.

His apartment which he shares with his wife Claudia is on the first floor of a palazzo from the eighteenth century in the heart of a residential area of Milan.

What I find extraordinary is the depth and almost abyss like quality to the applied materials on all surfaces. It’s a fascinating beauty – your eye is caught by the shimmering and strangeness all one glance. The magic here is the juxtaposition of rich and “poor” textures, matt and shiny, elements of the past and minimalist volumes. Nothing is left to chance here.

Revealing ancient frescos and original paintings hidden under layers of wallpaper in a sympathetic renovation – rather than making all surfaces pristine. Colours of ochre, saffron yellow, dusty grey, powder pink and green almond, so specific to Italy – they now give this inside his undeniable charm.

Story by Nic-Kaiko Follow him on Instagram kaiko_design

 

Photographs: Paul Lepreux