The Milano Serafino Dell'Uomo project

Founded in Milan in 2003 by Britt Moran and Emiliano Salci, Dimorestudio is a full-service, global architectural and design studio that spans residential, retail and hospitality projects, in addition to, producing furnishings, textile and lighting designs under the name of Dimoremilano. Artsper opens the doors to Dimoregallery in Via Solferino, Milan, which displays a rotating installation of 20th century great masters and contemporary designers.

1. Hello Emiliano and Britt! Your home, Milano Serafino dell'Uomo, features an extensive collection of art. Do you consider yourselves as avid art collectors?

No, we don't specifically consider ourselves as avid art collectors but we do believe there is a strong connection between object, furniture and art. For us, art and design are the same thing and should be considered as equally important entities.

On the left: the Milano Piazza Grandi project and on the right: the Milano Solferino project

2. Would you say that art plays an important part in the interior and architectural projects you design at Dimorestudio?

Yes definitely, most of our residential projects are directed by the art our clients already possess. We are always asked to create an 'ensemble' displaying their favorite pieces within our designs. It also occurs that our clients ask our team to search out design pieces that can be included in the final project.

3. Are there any emerging artists that you have encountered recently that have inspired current or future projects you both are working on?

Yes, we are particularly taken by Steven Parrino's work.

4. What other inspirations, beyond art, influence your designs? Does a location or cultural context in terms of a project's surroundings affect your creative outlook, for example?

Our design has always been inspired by the incredibly creative world of fashion, master films and the creativity of the great masters of XX century design, with inspirations from the golden era of the 50s, 60s and 70s, from figures like Giò Ponti, Nanda Vigo, Gae Aulenti and Osvaldo Borsani, that are coherent with the Dimorestudio aesthetic.

Furthermore, a project's surroundings ALWAYS affect the creative look, the space, the location in terms of the building, the neighborhood, the city, the fauna and flora. For example, in our recent hospitality project, Villa Sheherazade in Tunisia, we really respected the surroundings. Being set on the coast, the space had to breath a sense of calmness, peace, letting the light and the wind in, a littoral atmosphere.

On the left: the Milano Serafino Dell'Uomo project and on the right: Emiliano Salci co-founder and creative director and Britt Moran co-founder and executive director at Dimorestudio

5. Your interiors are nostalgic, yet contemporary in their atmosphere. Is your preference more contemporary or historic in terms of artistic styles?

We get lots of inspiration from what we like to call a historical atmosphere and we always place a Dimore twist with our signature colors and materials on our ideas. The company's vision consists in bold, unexpected, color saturated designs and in the creation of richly alloyed and layered atmospheres and spaces. The sophisticated aesthetics of each project rests on the art of contradiction: it is dramatic yet contained, opulent yet controlled, fearless yet rooted in the cool classicism of 20th century antiques, and Milan's own stern rationalist architecture and mid-century design lore.

6. Finally, can you tell us more about Milano Serafino Dell'Uomo?

In 2020, just as the pandemic was hitting, Emiliano Salci started restyling his new Milan apartment. The ground floor of this 1940s building opens into a palm tree and exotic plant garden. Characterized by saturated colors and dim lights, Salci's now-complete home is the full expression of his personal taste.

The main hallway, which is painted an intense orange tone, displays an oval mahogany table by American Modernist George Nelson, vintage armchairs by Piero Portaluppi, and Ignazio Gardella lighting. The flooring is covered by a custom leopard print Dimorestudio carpet that continues into the studio, which is decorated with vintage furnishings that include an Eero Saarinen stool, Jean Prouvé shelving, and a Serge Mouille sconce.

The relaxed nocturnal atmosphere is replicated in the living area, which is a deep maroon with black lacquered windows and door fixtures. In the middle of the room a bright blue, L-shaped Vico Magistretti sofa sits beside a Dimoremilano round table and on a Turkish rug. Along the wall is a Giulio Zappa bookcase, displaying Salci's collection of coffee table books and chinese vases. The walls are decorated with Ignazio Gardella sconces and Enrico Castellani artwork, hanging behind a collection of antique candlesticks.

One room is completely dedicated to Emiliano Salci's clothing collection, which hangs floor to ceiling, hidden behind Dimoremilano satin purple curtains. In the middle of the room are a 1970s sideboard by Giotto Stoppino and Lodovico Acerbis, a floor lamp by Flos and a ceiling lamp by Angelo Lelli. Finally, the bedroom displays a large Luciano Frigerio bed, and a Carlo Mollino chair that sits beside the window overlooking the garden.

The Milano Serafino Dell'Uomo project