Leading interior decorator Simone Haag is one of six international exhibitors – and the only Australian – taking part in the third edition of L’Appartamento by Artemest.

Set during Milan Design Week, L’Appartamento is a celebration of decoration, inviting interior designers and stylists to each transform a distinct room using only furniture, lighting, art and decor made by Italian artisans who sell through Artemest’s online platform.

This year’s edition will unfold within Palazzo Donizetti, a 19th-century building located on Via Gaetano Donizetti 48 that will open its doors to the public for the first time.

Palazzo Donizetti

Palazzo Donizetti embodies an eclectic fusion of architectural styles, demonstrating Renaissance grace, Baroque opulence and the delicate allure of the Liberty period. Its interiors boast high ceilings, detailed frescoes and a monumental elliptical staircase with a wrought-iron balustrade that connects the palazzo’s three floors.

Palazzo Donizetti

Six studios to show at L’Appartamento

This space is the canvas on which six internationally acclaimed interior design studios have curated their visions in isolation of one another. This year’s studios include Brigette Romanek (USA), Meyer Davis (USA and England), Champalimaud (USA), Nebras Aljoaib (Saudi Arabia), 1508 London (UK, Singapore, USA, UAE and Brazil) and Australia’s own Simone Haag.

Simone Haag

“As a curator of furniture as art, Artemest beautifully demonstrates what can be achieved with minimal architectural intervention – letting each piece speak for itself,” Haag tells Australian Design Review.

Haag has been tasked with decorating the first place visitors will see: the palazzo’s foyer. Artemest has described the foyer as “an elegant prelude to the experience, where natural textures meet bold compositions and colourful accents stand in perfect harmony with the palazzo’s original charm”. 

The brief

The brief was rather open – the studios had to loan objects through the platform that hadn’t featured in previous Artemest exhibitions. This was an easy task for Haag as a self-described “early adopter” of Artemest.

“As a decorator, my focus is on furniture, art, objects and styling. A key motivation for me has always been sourcing pieces that are rare, hard to find, or slightly off the radar,” she says. “It almost feels like my little secret is out.”

Haag felt “instant affinity” with a few pieces and laid claim to them early. 

Haag’s Artemest selections include: (L-R) Cleo Chandelier by Bottega Veneziana, Mama Vase by Andrea Maestri and Onda New Lightweight Marble Chaise Longue by Dimarmo

“Interestingly, I didn’t start by planning how to furnish the space and then sourcing the pieces. Instead, I did the reverse – I discovered pieces that spoke to me first, then considered how they would find their place within the space. It’s a shift from my usual approach,” Haag says.

Both the sourcing and then sketching out the object placement was done remotely without her ever having stepped foot in Palazzo Donizetti. 

The process

While Haag usually likes to at least walk inside the space she is decorating, this project lacked a number of other constraints that can often make an everyday client project challenging, such as budget, timeframe and logistics. The primary drivers for the exhibition were the pieces rather than the purpose of the space and so Haag was really able to listen to her intuition and instinct.

Haag’s Artemest selections continued: (L-R) Gold Dragon Chair by Giulia Ligresti and Pandora Silver Pouf by Studio X

The context did, however, present some hurdles. Her particular room – with its decorative ceiling and wallpaper – was protected by a heritage overlay, meaning Haag couldn’t hang any pictures or curtains. A number of doors, openings and windows also made the space “tricky”.

What can we expect in The Foyer at L’Appartamento?

According to Artemest, the result of Haag’s vision engages with the palazzo’s architectural and design language.

“Australian decorator Simone Haag has drawn on its Italianate resonance, allowing the beauty of its historic fabric to sing against the intentional juxtaposition of contemporary collectible art and design crafted by Italy’s modern-day design vanguards,” The Foyer’s design concept reads.

Sketches of The Foyer

Haag has artfully arranged an eclectic selection that includes the striking Gold Dragon Chair by Giulia Ligresti, the anthropomorphic Mama Vase by Andrea Maestri, the stout Kyl Beige Pouf by DalMoto, the luxurious Onda New Lightweight Marble Chaise Longue by Dimarmo and The Foyer’s floating centrepiece: the Cleo Chandelier by Bottega Veneziana.

To see The Foyer finished and in the flesh, visit L’Appartamento between 8 to 13 April from 10am to 5pm at Palazzo Donizetti, Via Gaetano Donizetti, 48, 20122 Milano.

Palazzo Donizetti

Images supplied by Dada Goldberg.

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