Explore This Stunning Apartment in a Historic Palazzo Owned by Francesco Lagnese
There is a special feeling of coming home when you move into a building that holds memories from your past. When my partner, Nicolò Castellini Baldissera, and I were preparing to leave Casa degli Atellani, his family’s residence in Milan for five generations, we stumbled upon our current home – a top-floor apartment in a palazzo located in the Brera neighborhood.
This 1,200-square-foot apartment is situated in a building owned by Nicolò’s childhood friend, Bruno Sforni. The opportunity to move in arose during a casual conversation when Sforni mentioned that the apartment was available. In 2022, Bernard Arnault acquired Casa degli Atellani, which included the iconic Leonardo da Vinci vineyard at its core. This prompted us, along with Nicolò’s father Piero and other family members residing in the family estate, to search for new homes.
Nicolò had met Sforni during their high school years in Milan, where they shared a passion for the arts. He frequented his friend’s family residence, the Palazzo Recalcati Tagliasacchi, where he cherished moments in the drawing room overlooking the garden, with the magnificent trees of the Orto Botanico di Brera in view beyond the walls. Moving into this palazzo years later brought back fond memories for Nicolò.
The apartment required some updates, explaining why it lingered on the market for a while. However, Nicolò’s expertise in transforming spaces, both for himself and his clients, gave me confidence. Renovations were made to the kitchen and bathrooms, while the rest of the apartment underwent a transformation through strategic use of paint and textures.
Our terrace features a custom awning by Guido Toschi, complemented by folding chairs from Casa Tosca, a tablecloth by Lisa Corti, and silver tableware from Argenteria Dabbene.
As a figlio d’arte, Nicolò often draws inspiration from his great-grandfather, architect Piero Portaluppi, evident in his various design projects. Our apartment, constructed in 1523 and renovated in 1828, reflects Italian influences, such as the Visconti sun painted on the drawing room’s ceiling and the pastel-colored walls in the guestroom inspired by 18th-century Venice. The decor also reflects our love for travel and exploration.
Various items from Europe and Morocco adorn our home. The 18th-century cast iron bed in the main bedroom hails from Genoa, while the bed linens are by Morpho + Luna. Notable pieces include an antique pendant by Piero Portaluppi, an Austrian Biedermeier desk, and a 1967 red chair by Günter Beltzig. At Casa degli Atellani, we brought in a round Portaluppi table, a magenta and moss Agra rug, and a wall-to-wall library designed by Nicolò. Additional pieces, such as the kelly green sofa and striped living room curtains, were specially crafted for the space. The living room features a custom sofa and an Anish Kapoor artwork above a Baroque Italian commode. The vestibule showcases a hand-painted faux boiserie design, while the powder room displays Castellini Baldissera’s wallpaper designs. The primary bathroom features towels embroidered with initials, and the guest bedroom includes a portrait of Castellini Baldissera’s grandmother. Collaborating with PictaLab Milano, Nicolò enhanced various spaces with unique wall treatments, blending old and new elements seamlessly throughout the apartment. This personalized space reflects a lifetime of collections and memories, situated in a favorite corner of the city.
