Rigorous emotions

Val Seriana, Bergamo hills. Slim female figures, trapped in the eternity of art, greet the visitor at the entrance. One, squatting, evokes far-off worlds. The other, ethereal and proud, stretches out to gather the rays painted by the surrounding green valleys. On the top floor of an elegant building, the penthouse renovated by Zenucchi knows how to thrill. Hot emotion. In fact, the mixture of teak with Corian®, of chrome with dove grey, of the use of wood alongside marble is evident. Reassuring. And from a need: to reorganise the interior spaces with character. It all starts with a request: fully exploit the unused outdoor space. And from a need: to reorganise the interior spaces with character. Thus the brickwork is eliminated, and the wall changes face. Transforming to make way for the huge floor-to-ceiling windows. Or disguising themselves with surprising textures. There is wood. There is iron. There is resin. Every wall a discovery, and a world to invent. Eucalyptus wood panelling dominates in the living room, cement resin reigns in the entrance hall. Under the television, a bench made of Cardoso stone complements the fireplace with its open flames cutting through the waxed sheet metal. Reflecting the flames there are the irregular shapes of Massimo Castagna’s Tetris coffee table (2014, Gallotti&Radice).

Throughout the house, knotted and brushed oak parquet provides a soft uniformity, on which light curtains in neutral tones rest. Every detail is designed to reflect the style of its owners. Inconsistencies are becoming consistent. Contrasts are accentuated. The inconsistencies become consistent. Contrasts are accentuated. The aesthetic sense of art collectors is the leitmotif. The signatures are those that count, and tell the story of design. In the living room, the English charm of Charles & Ray Eames’ Lounge Chair (1956, Vitra) is reflected in Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni’s iconic Arco (1962, Flos). At its feet, Philippe Starck’s 241 Privè sofa (2007, Cassina) perfectly matches the large neutral beige rug that has been given new life. Franco Albini’s fun 834 Cicognino (1953; 2008, Cassina) is used as a remote control holder, while Sebastian Wrong’s Spun Light T (2003, Flos) gracefully and brightly separates the relaxation area from the dining room.

Here, the embracing profile of Philippe Starck’s Passion chairs (2007, Cassina) surrounds Eero Saarinen’s Saarinen Dining Table (1953-58, Knoll). Just above, Gino Sarfatti’s 2097-30/50 (1958, Flos) interprets ancient candlesticks with an industrial twist. The resulting atmosphere has something surreal about it. As if perfection were absolute here, as if the artistic immobility of the room wanted to act as a prelude to the infinity of the kitchen, model Duemilaotto by Piero Lissoni (2008, Boffi).