The floor of an apartment is sometimes overlooked. It’s often simply a spot to lay out rugs and place furniture. In this 750-square-foot apartment in Monza, Italy, however, it’s a key element of the design by Studio Latino, the architecture and design firm founded by Irene Nocerino and Matteo Lattuada. The team chose a bold, fresh, and slightly irreverent sky blue color for the floor; it runs throughout the home and sets the tone for each space.
That choice transforms what is usually a neutral element into the starting point for an interior that isn’t afraid to play with color, even within the confines of a 750-square-foot space. A pink bathroom, playful furnishings, and colorful accents take center stage without needing to be perfectly coordinated: They meet, contrast, and interact, creating a cheerful, personal, and surprising atmosphere. This floor isn’t just a backdrop in this home. It sets its rhythm.
The famous Lampe de Marseille, designed by Le Corbusier for Nemo Lighting, hangs above the dining table.
©Specchi Studio.Walking on blue skies
The blue chosen for the floors is more than an interesting aesthetic element—it was also the starting point for the entire design of the project. Colored resin covers most of the existing floor, transforming a blank surface into the signature element of the home. The color flows seamlessly through the hallway and living area, guiding the eye and creating a visual continuity that makes the different rooms feel like part of a single, unified space.
In the living room, a Teddy sofa by OMHU sits above a Super Rock rug featuring a graphic and textural design inspired by the shapes of rocks, by Bethan Laura Wood for CC-Tapis.
©Specchi Studio.The blue floor takes center stage, with the rest of the house revolving around it without ever matching it precisely. White, wood tones, red, and pink alternate and play off one another. Red tiles brighten up the kitchen, while the pink ones in the bathroom introduce a softer, unexpected touch.
The result is a deliberately imperfect balance, made up of contrasts and playful combinations, in which that light-blue floor ends up doing much more than simply covering a surface: It brings the sky into the home.
The custom kitchen, constructed by local artisans, features a minimalist design and red tiles that echo the home’s color palette.
©Specchi Studio.
The hallway leads to the bedroom, which includes a famous LC4 chaise longue by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand, shown here in a vintage version by Cassina.
©Specchi Studio.
In the bedroom, the Swirl rug by Univers Uchronia for CC-Tapis makes a bold color statement. The nightstand and lamp are from Zara Home.
©Specchi Studio.A playful design
The character of this home reflects its residents: a young couple passionate about photography, art, and technology, who have chosen to surround themselves with objects that tell a story, without ever taking themselves too seriously. The space features iconic pieces and whimsical touches, from a Super Rock rug by Bethan Laura Wood to a Swirl rug by Univers Uchronia (both for CC-Tapis) to the famous Lampe de Marseille by Le Corbusier for Nemo Lighting.
There are also Plia chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, a plush Teddy sofa by OMHU, and a vintage LC4 chaise longue by Cassina, along with custom pieces crafted by local artisans. The result is a blend of design, vintage items, and artisanal creations that follows no specific rule except one—everything must have personality.
A pair of Plia folding chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli.
©Specchi Studio.It’s a home that embraces color, combines different shapes, and leaves room for a touch of whimsy. Because even high design can sometimes simply have some fun.
The shower enclosure was custom-made by local artisans.
©Specchi Studio.This article first appeared in AD Italia.