Before & After: A Minimal & Streamlined Kitchen Reno in Milan

Written by

Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director at AT Media
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director at AT Media
For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat.
published May 18, 2016
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(Image credit: Séverine Piller)

Séverine Piller and her boyfriend Gianfranco loved this Milan apartment from the start—specifically the loads of natural light and great architectural bones. But Séverine, an interior designer, saw ways to improve the space to fit their modern tastes a little more. And one big change was the kitchen renovation.

(Image credit: Séverine Piller)

From Séverine:

As [the kitchen] is also the entry of the apartment, it needed to be functional and practical but still give a feeling of being spacious and inviting. I think we achieved this by designing this bar that also sort of functions as a sideboard while leaving the kitchen as open as possible.

(Image credit: Séverine Piller)

While there was certainly nothing “wrong” with the kitchen in this Milan apartment when Séverine and her boyfriend Gianfranco moved in, it didn’t quite fit their need for a more open-feeling kitchen or streamlined minimal aesthetic.


THE REST OF THE SERIES


(Image credit: Séverine Piller)

Replacing the table and chairs with a standing bar helped open the space. Removing some cabinets and replacing the see-through cabinets with all opaque doors helped minimize any sense of kitchen clutter.

(Image credit: Séverine Piller)

Small but sweet design details add interest without adding clutter. And a bold blue painted backsplash both anchors the small space and makes it fun.

(Image credit: Séverine Piller)

Thanks, Séverine & Gianfranco!