Casa degli Atellani in Milan turns into a wallpaper, narrated by Nicolò Castellini Baldissera, grandson of the architect Piero Portaluppi and heir to the historic Milanese palace, which signed the collection.
Portaluppi Herbarium by Nicolò Castellini Baldissera and Pictalab in Alcova
There Atellani’s house in Corso Magenta in Milan is one of the most iconic and fascinating historic buildings in the capital of Milan. Located not far from Cenacle of the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie and bordering the vineyard Leonardo da Vinci, the magnificent building from the fifteenth century is one of the greatest examples of the architect’s work Piero Portaluppi who restored and decorated the old residence, which also belonged to Ludovico il Moro, Duke of Milan. Thanks to Portaluppi Herbariumthe collection signed by Nicolò Castellini Baldisseranephew of Portaluppi, e.g. Pictalabis the famous garden room at Casa degli Atellani recreated on the wallpaper.
Nicolò Castellini Baldissra signs Portaluppi Herbarium in collaboration with Pictalab
Nicolò Castellini Baldissera in cooperation with Pictalab, a Milanese decoration workshop, has on the wallpaper recreated the decoration of the entrance to the family home characterized by naturalistic elements of Portaluppi, the greatest protagonist of Milanese architecture in the early 1900s. The collection has the title Portaluppi Herbarium and was exhibited on the occasion of Milan Design Week 2022 at Alcova spaces, from 5 to 12 June 2022. We interviewed Nicolò Castellini Baldissera, grandson of architect Piero Portaluppi, about his new collection and his participation in Fuorisalone 2022.
Portaluppi Herbarium installation in Alcova
How was the Portaluppi Herbarium collection created?
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The Pictalab team led by Orsola Clerici and Chiara Troglio made a relief of the fresco ordered by my great-grandfather’s arch Piero Portaluppi for the entrance to the Atellani house, using craft techniques they managed to transform it into a very modern wallpaper in 8 color variants.
Nicolò Castellini Baldissera with Orsola Clerici and Chiara Troglio in Pictalab
What are your visual, artistic, cultural references?
I am eclectic, my references range from Egypt to Jasper Jones passing through ancient Rome and the Italian Renaissance.
When did you realize you were an interior designer?
I grew up in a family of collectors and architects, at the age of four I was already rearranging objects in my parents’ house …
The frescoes from Casa degli Atellani will be an exclusive wallpaper collection
What should the modern home be like?
I always focus on a mix of antique pieces and modern avant-garde, and am always mindful of the story of the family living in the room.
Are there any colors and fabrics you prefer?
Surely the intense and monochromatic colors combined with fragrant textures like velvet and brocades.
Portaluppi Herbarium and Casa Tosca furniture by Nicolò Castellini Baldissera
How do you choose the color combinations in your creations?
It depends on the surrounding environment, on the light and also on the taste of those who order the project.
What must never be missing in a home?
Color.
The installation “Do not judge a book by its cover” by Nicolò Castellini Baldissera at the Statale di Milano for the Interni exhibition during MDW2022
What did it mean to be Piero Portaluppi’s nephew for your work?
A school of beauty that has been inherited for generations.
What are the trends that emerged from this design week?
Bringing nature “inside” seems to be a very present theme, there is a desire for greenery and plants and the concept inspired for the Herbarium Portaluppi project.
Some details about Portaluppi Herbarium