A Milan micro‑apartment becomes a playful living space.
Graphic designers Giovanni Cavalleri and Cecilia Bianchini transformed a 45 sqm (484 sqft) flat into a home that feels more like a gallery than a conventional dwelling. Their vision blends personal memorabilia with adaptable furniture, creating a setting that supports both work and social gatherings.
A Gallery‑Like Entrance Guides the Flow
The pair enlisted Associates Architecture to redesign the entryway. A low metal shelf runs the length of a floor‑to‑ceiling wall, holding everyday items while a custom aluminium bookshelf stretches across the narrow corridor. Hung from the ceiling, the unit keeps the floor clear and showcases larger objects. On the opposite side, framed posters and friends’ artworks turn the hallway into a daily exhibition. Bianchini describes the shelf as the “backbone of the house.”
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Kitchen and Living Areas Double as Entertainment Hub
Continuing the shelving along the kitchen ceiling, they kept the cooking zone full‑sized despite the compact footprint. Stainless‑steel cabinets conceal an oven, a compact fridge and ample hidden storage. An integrated extractor sits in the stovetop, freeing the wall above for a blank surface that becomes a projection screen after dark. A freestanding metal unit serves as a pantry and also holds the projector, making late‑night movie marathons effortless.
“We really, really love having friends over,” Cavalleri notes. The dining and lounge share the same open zone, anchored by a custom table on wheels. A simple flip changes the tabletop from yellow to blue, shifting the room’s mood in seconds. The sofa lowers its backrest to become a guest bed, illustrating the space’s adaptability.
A floor‑length white curtain, taken from Cavalleri’s mother’s house, hangs from a taut metal wire rather than a traditional rail. Because the ceilings are low, the fabric is folded and tied with a simple band so it doesn’t pool, offering privacy without bulk.
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Key details: the flat measures 45 sqm; aluminium shelving runs the full length of the corridor and kitchen ceiling; the kitchen wall remains bare for projection; the custom table flips colour; the sofa converts to a bed.
Both designers say the layout supports their professional routines and social life. By keeping storage off the floor and allowing major pieces to shift, the home remains airy while accommodating book collections, client meetings, and dinner parties without feeling cramped.
