Beautiful Italian Art Deco - My visit to the Villa Necchi Campiglio

WARNERS BAY, Australia - Nov. 24, 2024 - PRLog -- INTRODUCTION:
This isn't just any villa. Tucked in the heart of Milan, this 1930s gem by architect Piero Portaluppi was originally designed for a wealthy industrialist, Luigi Campiglio, and his wife.

DETAILS:
Fun Fact 1: this house was featured in the movie 'House of Gucci'
It served as the moody den for Rodolfo Gucci (played by Jeremy Irons) where he reminisced on his days as an actor and brooded about his son Maurizio's marriage to Patrizia (Lady Gaga).
Fun Fact 2: Tilda Swinton fans may also recognise this Villa from the 2009 film 'I am love': a memorable and elegant Italian film we adore.
Sobering Facts: In World War II the building was occupied by the Italian Fascist army, while the family moved to the countryside.  After the war, the Necchi-Campiglio family recovered the villa and in the 1950s, architect Tomaso Buzzi, was commissioned to provide decorative details that aligned more with the sensibilities of the 18^th-19^th centuries. This was commonly interpreted as a decision to shift away from the perceived modern 'fascist' connections.  Art Deco purists will be able to pick these 1950s embellishments.  Thankfully, the Art Deco interiors are still strongly asserted.

What's to love? It's got all the elements of classic Art Deco—the kind of clean lines, curves, geometric forms, and rich materials that make my furniture-obsessed heart skip a beat. The villa starts its story with its striking facade: curved marble stairs topped with a curved roof, featuring circular insets for lighting.

Walking through the Villa Vecchi Campiglio feels like stepping into a time capsule, with each room showcasing Italian Art Deco whimsy combined with Italian rationalism. Portaluppi had a way of taking classic Art Deco and giving it a quirky, Italian twist. I found myself admiring everything from the marble floors with their intricate black-and-white inlay to the elegantly appointed rooms that still looked ready for a high-society cocktail party circa 1935.  Somehow, it still felt relevant and modern.

No expense was spared in the design. In addition to beautiful materials and expansive living and personal spaces, the building included electric blinds, central heating, and a dumb waiter (of course).  And here's the inspired part: elements from the villa's interiors offer endless possibilities for today's furniture and interiors. Links to my images and film are here Beautiful Italian Art Deco - Villa Necchi Campiglio - Art Deco Co (https://artdecoco.com.au/beautiful-italian-art-deco-villa...)
My love for Art Deco design inspires my online store Home - Art Deco Co
Nerrida (Founder - Art Deco Co) (https://artdecoco.com.au/)