Every interior design is a microcosm, a mirror of a distinct personality. Behind it lies the work of those who can turn dreams and visions, tastes and passions, into reality. Managing to leave their own distinctive mark every time.
Design and Architecture. This is the solution behind the acronym that gives the name to DnA Associates studio, born in 2009 in Milan from the encounter between Camillo Maggi and Arnaldo Puglia, a true conceptual claim of interior design focused on refined stylistic and functional tailor-made. Federico Mazza joined the “Project,” creating a multifaceted dynamic that branches out into diversified concepts, including private residences, commercial spaces, exhibition areas, and product design.
In the three locations of Milan, Dubai, and San Marino, different tastes and personalities are interpreted, projects where the character of the clients stands out but where the personality of the home itself is also distinguishable. All this, leaving “a footprint” that makes the studio recognizable for its refined approach to contemporary design, with classical influences that transform the timeless concept into one of the most up-to-date interior visions internationally. We met Camillo Maggi, one of the minds behind the studio and among its founders.
House AR – Milan ©DnA Associates studio.
It is said that every home has a soul: is it true, and should it be indulged, or can any environment be revolutionized?
Every space is revolutionizable, regardless. It’s easy to start from scratch and begin designing anew. The most fascinating part of my job is precisely recognizing the style and history of the environment in which I am called to intervene, thus its soul, and marrying it with the client’s desires, needs, and wishes. A project where these unique characteristics are maintained and enhanced through contemporary ideas and personalized solutions will always be stronger and more communicative than a “blank canvas” simply filled with new materials and furnishings.
House M – Milan ©DnA Associates studio.
What interests clients the most when they seek the help of an interior designer?
Nowadays, most clients are prepared and confident in knowing their own style; they come with mood boards where they have already included details and products for each environment. We discuss, we confront each other, I understand where they want to “get.” Having done that, my work focuses on dividing the interiors to maximize and make the most of the available spaces, in relation to the needs that have been requested of me: one must not forget that a home should simplify our way of living and make us feel good.
For this reason, I always have to keep in mind what is the final result that a client has in mind. Once this second step is settled, we move on to furnishing accessories, decoration, colors, and here my experience comes into play, as I enhance and strengthen the proposals and ideas brought by the clients, understanding and elaborating on them, putting them into action, as well as knowing when to say no to wrong ideas.
House RI – London ©DnA Associates studio.
What are the sources of inspiration that guide your creative work, especially when it comes to developing a specific style for a project?
We live in a world where information and images come from every direction, and one must know how to grasp them and be curious. I am, otherwise, I couldn’t do this job. There isn’t a particular source of inspiration; rather, it’s the desire to always learn something new and understand how that thing or that craftsmanship is done and realized. Studying, understanding, and knowing in detail a material, a style, or a design gives me the mastery to make them “mine” and reintroduce them in my projects.
Villa J – Bali ©DnA Associates studio.
Are there details or design elements that you consider indispensable for creating aesthetically harmonious and beautiful spaces?
A space is undeniably beautiful and harmonious when it is furnished with a precise style and taste, when there is sophistication in the materials, the furnishings inserted within it, and the details are studied, designed, and realized to communicate with each other. Stand-alone pieces, even if of excellent design, do not have the power to create an atmosphere simply because they are famous or beautiful. They must be inserted into a context that enhances them..
House GR – Milan ©DnA Associates studio.
What are the main factors you consider in designing functional and welcoming interiors?
Interior design is a game of balances, starting from its conception. Every project must be studied on the intrinsic relationship between people and the spaces they will have at their disposal. It’s a fundamental detail that, if respected, allows an interior to automatically be welcoming. Regarding functionality, my approach starts with simplifying movements within the space itself: the fewer movements one makes, the more functional the space will be. This is how comfort is born, from the ease of action and use of individual elements within a room.
Beefbar – Milan ©DnA Associates studio.
Beyond passing trends and fads, is there a true style that defines contemporary homes?
Precisely because trends are transient, the most contemporary interiors have a style that doesn’t follow specific trends but rather forms a conceptual bridge between classic and modern. Lately, the same companies working in this sector propose styles and finishes that are timeless but technologically advanced. There isn’t a single path devoted to extreme minimalism anymore, which is now considered somewhat dated, but rather a return to a timeless style and décor, with influences that can be aesthetically defined as vintage, mixing different eras, making them perfectly adaptable to different tastes and visions.
Camillo Maggi of DnA Associates studio.
Cover: House M – Milan ©DnA Associates studio.
