Today we will show you interiors in the Art Deco styleat the villa of the Italian architect Osvaldo Borsani. You will be surprised how modern and relevant what was created in the 1940s looks This year, the roomble.com portal, together with the famous antique dealer and collector Stefano Urbinati, held a unique architectural tour. About 20 architects and designers visited the private villa of the architect Osvaldo Borsani, located in Varedo (near Milan) and converted into a closed design museum. Architect Natalia Guseva, who visited the villa with us, was so delighted with what she saw that she decided to share her impressions with readers. Natalia Guseva, architect In 1986, she graduated from the Art College, in 1994 - from the Moscow Architectural Institute, Faculty of Housing Construction. Now she is the head of her own design bureau Guseva-Style, which was created in 1998. Since its foundation, the team of professionals it has assembled has been able to successfully implement many projects of varying degrees of complexity. This building, which is rightfully considered a historical monument, has something to surprise and delight the sophisticated designer. The building is located in the small town of Varedo north of Milan and was built next to the furniture factory Atelier ABV. This factory belonged to Gaetano and was well known and respected. Two sons, two brothers, two future legends of the great era of Lombardy design, Oswald and Fulgenzio Borsani, could observe the creation of wooden chairs, tables and other furniture from childhood and take part in its production. The sons continued their father's business, and today the Techno company is recognizable and prestigious. Roomble: Many people know the chaise lounge "P 40" and the folding sofa "D 70" - the first models presented by the furniture factory Techno S. P. A., which was founded by the Borsani brothers. Today it is a large international company that is recognized all over the world. The factory works mainly with non-standard objects and famous designers, embodying bold ideas.
In 1943, when I was still a young architectOsvaldo Borsani was at the height of his career, designing a villa for his father Gaetano that is a rare surviving example of Osvaldo Borsani architecture. The last occupant of the house was Carla Borsani, the wife of Fulgencio, his cousin and business partner. Since the house has been in the Borsani family throughout its history, little has changed in the last 70 years.
Natalia Guseva:— Unfortunately, such a treasure of design history has remained unknown to many. And this is, of course, a missed opportunity for all design lovers, because Villa Borsani presents a fascinating mixture of two styles, two approaches that defined Italian design in the 20th century: traditionalism and modernism. Having seen the villa in person once, one can understand the place of Osvaldo Borsani in the history of Italian design. Our opinion: — Osvaldo Borsani made an enormous contribution to the architecture and design of 20th-century Italy. For his homeland, he is like Fyodor Shekhtel for Russia, or like Le Corbusier for Europe — and the entire architectural world.
Natalia Guseva:— The hall surprises with the modernity of its design. The weightless staircase made of glass and marble, the contrasting marble floor with a geometric pattern, the ultra-modern metal sculpture by Agenor Fabbri — all of this is still relevant today. Many interiors in a similar style grace the pages of fashion magazines.
Rectangular leather sofas, coffee table made ofwood and glass in the living room look modern. These pieces of furniture are relevant today and will most likely be relevant for many years to come. Osvaldo Borsani not only designed the house himself, but also thought out the entire design of the villa down to the smallest interior details. And to create some elements, such as the fireplace portal, Osvaldo invited famous Italian artists.
Incredibly beautiful fireplace with ceramicsThe tiles made by Lucio Fontana form a link with the dining area. The smooth marble countertop with its dynamic natural pattern echoes the whimsical lines of the fireplace.
Natalia Guseva:— A cozy study made of wood, a simple but luxurious bedroom with an intricate dressing table, a bathroom with a touching mosaic pattern, numerous cabinets and niches — everything is amazingly thought out, laconic, convenient and functional. At the same time, the overall impression of the interior does not lose its decorativeness, which is one of the important elements of the Art Deco style, the reading and understanding of which I saw in this house.
