JDF Suite

We’re just around the corner from the Quadrilatero della Moda, Milan’s top fashion shopping district. The view of the piazza is dominated by the Duomo, a masterpiece of Gothic art. We’re in the very heart of Milan – the capital city of Design, Fashion and Style. Milan clamours for our attention. Its lights underscore the presence of the world’s top brands, amid views of the city as it once was. This remains Italy’s most international rendezvous point. With its air of glamour – a glamour uniquely refined and indeed unrivalled worldwide − the location has lost none of its appeal.

The idea was to work with one of the most Milanese of all the city’s landmarks and sights, and to do so without relying on threadbare clichéridden approaches or the excesses of globalism. This was the thinking behind the design project for Suite JDF. The absolute value, here, is the place itself. It’s all more “out” than “in”. The large window looks out onto the esplanade of the square, Piazza del Duomo. The panorama is quite unique. Visitors will want to remain on the balcony to admire the view of the bustle of pedestrians, overshadowed by the impassive mass of Milan’s great cathedral.

The value of the project consists in what the guests will actually come away with – what they will recall about their stay, like a postcard, when they think back to Milan and the suite that was theirs. This is much more an “in” value than an “out” value, made up of emotions, memories, sensations and wellbeing. This is why the design solution for Suite JDF incudes warm materials and colours, and simplicity and linearity in the forms (albeit enriched with markedly textured surfaces and the kind of details that reward careful examination).

The anteroom or lobby consists in a corridor space the refined decor of which is provided by hand-decorated paper work, with drawings of the parks and sights of Milan (by Misha), with lively playful lighting from small luminous tubes (provided by Flos, the company responsible for lighting throughout the suite).

The bathroom and wellness zone features a large free-standing bath (by Globo, providing all the sanitary ware) and a shower (angled toward the window looking out toward the Duomo). On the other side we have a top with double washbasin with hydro-nozzle taps/faucets and fittings (by Hansgrohe) providing sustainable water-use convenience. Thanks to the small LED courtesy lights, guests will be able to enter the bathroom without the glare of the bathroom lights bursting in on the darkness that enveloped them as they slept. The space’s surfaces are entirely in a warmly mellow resin cladding (by HD by Chimica Italia).

The key feature of the bedroom is the four-poster bed (by MDF Italia, providing all the furniture) positioned centrally in the space facing the square, shielded by a light, textured linen veil. The walls are a bright red. A sense of intensity, warmth and passion is perfectly created by the top quality paint (provided by Francesca’s Paints), not to mention the boiserie constructed by Giovanni Fiorito starting out from the design project by Jacopo della Fontana. Here, old boards were used that had been recovered from restoration of the hotel’s shared spaces.

The light diffusion solutions consist in LED light projected from the moulding onto the ceiling, a standard lamp, hanging lamps on the bedside tables, and lamps on the writing tables. Completing the furniture and furnishings are two armchairs, a number of pouffes, a mirror resting against the wall, and comfortable balcony seating. The classic warmth of oaken bordered herringbone parquet is a throwback to the style of the homes of Milan’s aristocratic class. An experience most definitely to be re-experienced!

Architetto: Jacopo della Fontana
Progettista: Jacopo della Fontana
Committente: Town House Duomo by Seven Stars