The Grand Salon at L’Appartamento 2026 by MAWD

MAWD | March and White Design has been selected to participate in the 2026 edition of L’Appartamento by Artemest, presented during Milan Design Week within the historic setting of Palazzo Donizetti. Now in its fourth year, the exhibition brings together a select group of internationally recognized studios, each invited to transform a room through a curated composition of Italian design and craftsmanship. This year’s theme, Italian Grandeur, reflects on the enduring influence of Italy’s artistic and material legacy, offering a contemporary interpretation of tradition at one of the most globally significant moments in the design calendar.

Inspired by the grandeur of Rome and its enduring artistic legacy, The Grand Salon by MAWD | March and White Design reinterprets classic Roman architecture and centuries-old craft traditions through a refined contemporary lens. Conceived as a rich, atmospheric space, the room is defined by a dramatic interplay of light and shadow, where chiaroscuro shapes a moody composition of geometric forms, soft transitions, and layered materiality. Deep reds are balanced by the warmth of wood flooring, touches of soft golden yellow, warm bronze details, and restrained blue accents, creating a palette that feels grounded, expressive, and quietly theatrical. Velvet seating and marble surfaces bring intimacy, permanence, and classical refinement, creating a room that feels elegant, immersive, and Roman.

The room is defined by a palette drawn from Rome, where color is experienced through material and atmosphere. Deep burgundy and rust tones are set against powder blues and warmer ochres, creating a layered composition that feels both grounded and luminous. The room unfolds with a sense of quiet intention. Proportion, texture, and tone are considered with precision, creating an environment that feels both composed and instinctive. The result is a space that invites occupation rather than observation, where the experience of design is defined as much by subtlety and restraint as it is by visual impact.
 

- Elliot March and James White

At the centre of the room, two burgundy Bio sofas establish the foundation of the scheme, setting both tone and proportion while acting as the primary point of orientation within the space. Their placement defines a central gathering area, conceived as both a social and spatial anchor. This is extended through a rust suede bench by VG New Trend and a series of custom-upholstered chairs by Lorenza Bozzoli, where subtle variations in fabric, fringe, and piping introduce shifts in texture within a controlled palette. Rosso Levanto marble tables deepen this composition, reinforcing the presence of red across different materials while adding a sense of weight and permanence.

Gold elements are carried through with consistency, most notably in the Barberini consoles, whose grid-like pattern subtly echoes the rhythm of the Rubelli drapery behind. This dialogue is extended through pieces by C.G. Cappelletti, creating moments of reflection and continuity along the perimeter. Overhead, a chandelier by Il Paralume Marina introduces a more contemporary geometry, its amber glass casting a warm, diffused light that enhances the richness of the room while softening the architectural envelope.

Sculptural works by Fonderia Artistica, including paired bronze torsos, are positioned as contemporary interpretations of classical relics, while the Caracalla bust offers a more direct reference to Roman history. This dialogue between past and present is further reinforced in the desk vignette by Dale Italia, conceived as a quieter, reflective moment that nods to Rome’s intellectual and cultural legacy. Nearby, the Kiss Tapestry by House of Ita introduces a layered narrative through textile, combining traditional techniques with a more unexpected visual language.

At the core of the project is a close collaboration with Artemest’s network of Italian artisans, whose work informs every layer of the space. Each element is selected not only for its individual beauty, but for its contribution to a broader narrative rooted in craft, heritage, and material integrity. The process moves beyond curation in the conventional sense, becoming an exercise in composition where objects, finishes, and forms are brought together with a shared sensibility.

This approach results in a living room that feels deeply connected to its context. Craft is not treated as an accent, but as the foundation of the design, expressed through a richness of materials and a clarity of detail that speaks to generations of expertise. In this setting, Italian Grandeur is interpreted with a sense of intimacy and permanence, where the value of each piece lies in both its origin and its presence within the space.

L’Appartamento by Artemest will be open from April 21 through April 26, 2026 in Milan.