Located in Brunswick and Vaucluse, respectively, two family residences transformed by Studio Minosa reveal a design practice fluent in a language of considered living.
Across both projects, co-director and interior designer Simona Castagna demonstrates a recurring philosophy: spaces that feel elevated, personal, shaped by natural materials, Italian craft, and exhibit an architectural precision Poliform—from the Saint-Germain sofa to the Artex kitchen system—plays a central role in both homes, its design language a natural fit for Studio Minosa’s commitment to refined simplicity. In this extended conversation, Castagna shares insights across both projects, on materiality, bespoke detail, and the power of an intentional interior.
In partnership with Poliform Australia.
Brunswick Residence
The home feels both elegant and grounded. How did your choice of materials, finishes, and furniture contribute to achieving this balance?
Simona Castagna: We worked with natural materials and tactile finishes to create depth without excess: lime-based microcement, ribbed glass, warm oak, and textural fabrics. Poliform pieces were integral to this language. Their quiet sophistication and soft curvature brought balance to the home’s architectural precision, adding calm, clarity, and comfort.
Fabrics complement stone selections, timber tones echo the artworks, and refined metal details add a gentle lift without overpowering the spaces. Every choice was made with an artistic eye and the design precision that comes from 25 years of experience.
Artwork was selected early in the process, guiding the palette and emotional tone of each room. Each space was considered as a whole: materiality, art, furniture, and daily rituals all shaped together to create harmony.
Poliform furniture features prominently across the home. Why were pieces such as the Koishi coffee table, Koishi side tables, and Jane bench ottoman the right fit?
Simona Castagna: The Koishi tables have a beautiful sculptural restraint—organic yet architectural. They adapt easily to family life, shifting position and purpose without interrupting the flow of the room. Their soft forms allow for comfortable gatherings, avoiding sharp corners in busy areas.
The Jane ottoman introduces softness and versatility. It can be a seat, a footrest, or simply a moment of pause within the room’s composition. Together, these pieces embody the duality we were seeking: strength and softness, elegance and ease, all while supporting the family’s daily rhythm.
How does Poliform’s design language align with Studio Minosa’s approach to spatial refinement and bespoke detailing?
Simona Castagna: Poliform and Studio Minosa share a belief in purity of line, authenticity of material, and the quiet confidence of restraint. Every detail has intention. Their craftsmanship mirrors our own commitment to precision in joinery and thoughtful detailing: nothing demands attention, yet everything contributes to a balanced, harmonious whole.
The Poliform Cover wardrobes system used throughout the bedrooms exemplifies this alignment. The leather fronts, refined lines, and perfectly resolved junctions demonstrate a design language built on clarity and sophistication. These pieces sit comfortably within the architecture, elevating the rooms without overpowering them. It’s a natural synergy—a shared dedication to refined simplicity, honest materiality, and spaces that feel effortlessly resolved.
In the living area, the Poliform Saint-Germain sofa and Koishi coffee table anchor the space with sculptural elegance and effortless comfort, blending Italian refinement with everyday family life.
“Balancing heritage and modernity meant crafting spaces that felt both familiar and elevated—an “old soul, modern life” sensibility.”
– SIMONA CASTAGNA, STUDIO MINOSA CO-DIRECTOR & INTERIOR DESIGNER
Pictured: the Poliform Le Club armchair.
In the primary suite, the Poliform Cover wardrobe introduces a sense of luxury alongside the herringbone timber floors—its considered finishes and understated presence offer a continuation of the Senzafine collection’s balance of beauty and utility.
“Poliform’s craftsmanship mirrors Studio Minosa’s commitment to precision: nothing demands attention, yet everything contributes to a balanced whole.”
– SIMONA CASTAGNA, STUDIO MINOSA CO-DIRECTOR & INTERIOR DESIGNER
The interplay of dark timber, stone, and metal lends the Artex kitchen a quiet gravitas—punctuated by a single architectural pendant.
Vaucluse Residence
How did the materials and finishes inform the home’s overall atmosphere?
Simona Castagna: Material restraint was key since the home already had a strong architectural presence, so the kitchen needed to support rather than compete with it. The grooved door fronts introduce subtle texture that creates movement in the light throughout the day, depth without visual noise. We selected finishes echoing the broader palette: natural stone, warm tonal timbers, and refined metal accents. The result is a kitchen that feels calm, precise, and quietly luxurious.
The Artex kitchen is a centrepiece of the Vaucluse residence—what drew you to this system?
Simona Castagna: The decision began in Milan when we encouraged our clients to visit the Poliform showroom during a trip, knowing that experiencing the brand in context often transforms how people understand its systems. When they encountered the Artex displays, the response was immediate. What resonated was the refinement—the grooved vertical detailing carries a quiet architectural rhythm that aligned perfectly with the language of the Vaucluse home. Artex offered that balance: highly resolved without ever feeling decorative.
Were elements customised to reflect how the clients actually live?
Simona Castagna: Always. While the Artex system is exceptional in its standard form, Poliform’s real strength lies in its adaptability. Storage zones, appliance integration, and preparation areas were all arranged around the household’s daily rhythm—the goal being a kitchen that feels intuitive and effortless, while maintaining the architectural clarity of the design. These decisions begin with listening.
Were there spatial complexities that Poliform’s systems helped you navigate?
Simona Castagna: Every home has moments where precision is non-negotiable and in Vaucluse, the architecture demanded that both the kitchen and wardrobes feel completely integrated with the building. Poliform’s modularity allowed the joinery to resolve seamlessly against walls, ceilings, and architectural junctions—giving us the confidence that each element would sit within the home’s framework without ever feeling forced.
How did collaboration with the Poliform team influence the sourcing and curation of furniture and systems?
Simona Castagna: Our relationship with Poliform spans more than 20 years. This longstanding collaboration is built on shared values, respect, craft, and a genuine desire to improve people’s lives through design. Their understanding of proportion, tone, and texture made the selection process seamless, and their willingness to customise ensured every piece sat perfectly within both homes. It felt like a true creative partnership.
“Every home has moments where precision is non-negotiable. In Vaucluse Residence, the architecture demanded that both the kitchen and wardrobes feel completely integrated with the building.”
– SIMONA CASTAGNA, STUDIO MINOSA CO-DIRECTOR & INTERIOR DESIGNER
A procession of spaces—primary suite, dressing, and bathroom—unified by Poliform’s resolved Fitted wardrobe system against a palette of concrete, timber, and deep lacquer, while a cluster of Lee Broom Crescent pendants lends a glamour to the whole.
