Misha wallpaper encased in glass forms the backdrop to custom steel kitchen bases by LC Atelier. A bespoke LC Atelier dining table is paired with Cassina’s Leggera chairs, while a Noguchi Akari lamp for Vitra provides a soft, diffused glow over the space.
Set within a historic building in the heart of Milan, Casa Lea by LC Atelier reimagines a residence that draws from the natural and urban beauty of its surroundings, thoughtfully mirroring the dynamic personality of its inhabitant.
With a commitment to preserving and restoring the original structure of this striking Milanese home, LC Atelier approached the design without a fixed brief. Instead, their observations of Lea—the homeowner—and her way of life inspired a space that reflects the cadence and quiet rhythms of nature. Honouring the residence’s historical features; the result is a composition of colour, light and surprise, all woven together to create a space that feels quintessentially and irresistibly European.
“We didn’t have a strict brief,” principal architect Lucrezia Calvi says. “Instead, we studied the apartment’s structure and the owner’s personality, allowing the project to emerge from there,” she explains.
A respect for the building’s original features informed every design decision. At the entrance, Joseph Kosuth’s Light Thinks—a piece from the owner’s collection—sits against Dedar’s seaweed-green Didgeridoo Wall wallpaper. Terracotta tiles, laid in a classic Italian herringbone pattern with a bindello border, bring warmth and a reference to the homeowner’s cultural heritage. “We wanted to work with natural materials that echo the homeowner’s roots in the Perugia region and bring that heritage into the heart of Milan,” Calvi says.
A custom LC Atelier dining table sits on terracotta tiles, paired with Gio Ponti’s Leggera chairs for Cassina. Thomas Waltman’s D5-TW-S side table by Vero International and a Noguchi Akari lamp by Vitra complete the space, alongside a Frame sconce by Violaine d’Harcourt.
Soft resin walls and flooring define the powder room, where Baxter’s Blade appliques frame a custom steel mirror above a bespoke steel sink. A sculptural bench by Grymsdyke Farm adds material contrast.
The living room introduces a restrained palette of natural materials alongside bursts of colour. A rug by Tapistelar, woven with agave and metal threads, centres the space alongside the Cassina Maralunga sofa by Vico Magistretti. Opposite, a custom open-pore travertine sideboard offers tonal and textural contrast. Beside a blue canvas, Circle wall lights designed by the studio for Matlight provide a soft glow through alabaster discs mounted on burnished brass. “The warmth we wanted to convey through the use of colour reflects the joyful personality of the homeowner,” Calvi notes.
The kitchen, custom designed by LC Atelier, is arranged across two levels and crafted from satin-finished steel, walnut, straw paper and glass. Cabinet doors are wrapped in Misha wallpaper behind framed glass panels, balancing function with subtle pattern. From here, a burnished brass staircase—also designed by the studio—connects to the upper floor. “The view from up there is truly stunning,” Calvi shares.
Circles wall appliques by LC Atelier for Matlight frame a living area anchored by Cassina’s Maralunga sofa, a Tapistelar rug and a Lyk Carpets pouf.
In the attic-level bedrooms, the original beams remain exposed, while materials such as straw for the wardrobes and velvet for the beds add texture and a sense of calm. A Vitra Noguchi Akari lamp brings gentle light to the full-height void at the centre of the home.
“This project very much represents our design philosophy,” Calvi reflects. “We were totally aligned with the homeowner; the process felt grounded, detail oriented and elegant.” Casa Lea is a considered response to both place and personality—quietly contemporary while remaining closely tied to its heritage.
The Solidified Reflection armchair sits beside glass and marble side tables by 6:AM and Sfrido Estate, softened by Dedar’s Fanfara curtains.
A custom LC Atelier bed upholstered in Dedar’s Adamo & Eva fabric anchors the bedroom, layered with a Society Limonta bed cover. Officine Morelli appliques provide soft illumination, while Marbera bedside tables and CMO Paris straw-covered wardrobes introduce natural texture and warmth.
