A Sicilian, in Milan

Conceived as the creative's very personal refuge, the apartment tells of the dual desire to tell the emotions of Milan in the mid-twentieth century, while at the same time evoking everything that for Zuccalà is synonymous with home through intense references to Sicilian culture.

He tells us that he thought of it as "a Milanese traveler from the other century" would have done, combining paintings and ceramics from the island tradition such as a Caltagirone vase, and pieces from the purest history of Italian design such as ceramic objects by Ugo La Pietra; a bedspread recovered from a white “cuttunina” with Sicilian embroidery, and a Carimate chair designed for Cassina by Magistretti, the most Milanese of designers, placed at the entrance to the house.

The space between light and freedom

In this apartment, there are two elements that have tuned in to Lelio Zuccalà's heart: light and freedom.

The double exposure, first of all, because it opens the doors to infinite possibilities of chiaroscuro. The natural light that illuminates the bedroom during the early hours of the day in spring finds itself dancing, once again, with grace in different corners of the house throughout the day.

The rooms, organized around the central element of the corridor that acts as a pivot for the entire plan of the apartment, are constantly illuminated according to different perspectives and take on renewed faces from time to time, depending on the play of shapes and volumes, shadows and lights.

In addition to the natural predisposition to the luminous project, the apartment has been able to win over the owner with large and 'bare' spaces. Environments that lent themselves perfectly to the idea of ​​a nest of Zuccalà, who felt at ease when faced with the possibility of thinking about the complete definition of white spaces.

In this way the rooms have come alive with objects and decorations, furnishings and accessories that define the personality of the owner, merging with his personal history.

"I am convinced that the house, I mean one's own, must transform itself into an incoherent context, the result of one's own experience, work, travel, and therefore in perennial dynamism, where harmony is given by chance, by taste and by the objective beauty of things, which must remain independent".

This is how situations and corners are born, brought to life by splashes of color that find themselves coexisting without wanting to, but which establish a confident and absolutely unexpected conversation. But decidedly effective.

A graceful dance of objects

Multiple styles converge and blend in every corner of the apartment: Zuccalà gives shape to an intimate interpretation of beauty, understood as what gives him a feeling of well-being. The choice of a seat (a true passion of the art curator), prevails over the entire range: thus, over 25 chairs from different companies and models give shape to a dining space dedicated to hosting friends and relatives.

The same goes for the kitchen: with industrial sink and steel worktop, it was purchased by a pizzeria so that it can accommodate numerous dishes.

"Many of the objects I own - he tells us - are the result of endless trips around Italy; often they are gifts from artisans I work with. They have such a personality that composing a coherent assembly would end up mortifying them, as well as boring me. For this reason I love to hang, without paying attention to the colors and shapes, different plates, many of which are broken, therefore lived, if not even in a second life".

A guided tour of the living area

Once you have passed the entrance, the iconic Ufo lamp by Stilnovo welcomes you into the atmosphere tailor-made for the personality of Lelio Zuccalà. Here, therefore, the graceful alternation of research elements, decorations and works of art begins; the geometric Berber carpet stands out, which placed on the floor redesigns the parquet floor, between primitive colors and shapes.

Continuing along the corridor, you come across the rooms interrupted by an authentic dark walnut wall signed by the Sicilian architect Ico Parisi: a true work of art that hosts books on photography, design, music, art and cinema.

At the end of the long walkway that crosses the house, a storage room and walk-in closet seal the passage between the bedroom and the living area. The latter, very large, faces west and is characterised by an ancient parquet with small square strips, designed for relaxation and as a place to cultivate reading.

The bedroom

The sleeping area also tells of an eclectic world, fueled by non-strategic but predestined choices. In fact, they create a visual magic that needs little explanation.

With numerous books to accompany every corner, the protagonist is the double wicker bed designed by Del Lago, flanked by an antique deco-style sideboard on which are placed an original sketch by Giuseppe Veneziano and a graphic lithography by Bruno Munari, as well as a single flower bottle in cement, an idea by the multifaceted designer Pietro Russo.

Also worthy of note is the Fontana Arte lamp, and on the wall a silkscreen by Tano Festa, a leading exponent of the Roman school of the 60s and 70s.