Mayfair meets Milan at this London townhouse-gallery

Italian designer Mario Milana of Casa Milana likes to describe his design as milanesità. Not only does the word capture the elegance and design heritage of Milan, his hometown, it playfully echoes his surname, ‘weaving together identity and place in a quiet yet intentional act of creative wordplay,’ he says. The designer and his partner, Colombian-born Gabriella Campagna, have created a little corner of milanesità in London as an exercise in cross-pollination between the two capitals. Their immersive installation ‘Two Rooms’ launches this week at 32 St George, a Mayfair exhibition space located downstairs from the contemporary art gallery Lamb.

Invited by Lamb founder Lucinda Bellm, the designers have visualised two immersive spaces: one representing the wellness and enjoyment of domestic life, the other the creativity and spontaneity of work. With Milana’s background in Italian craftsmanship and Campagna’s in somatic therapy and movement, they were well equipped for the task — particularly as they say their design philosophy is rooted in wellness, presence, and connection.

Visitors are invited to be ‘present’ in the presence of the pair’s new furnishings, including the low 1970s-style armless La Piccola sofa upholstered in Fortuny fabric and placed in the ‘domestic’ room. This sits upon one of two new handwoven rugs that draw inspiration from Italian and Moroccan terrazzo, collaborations with the rug-weaver Beni. The new Proto series includes a desk in the ‘work’ room made from curved oxidised iron piping and a leather-lined drawer. The Proto oxidised-iron mirrors are in the domestic space. These pieces — along with hand-blown glass lamps, cane chairs and an etched fibreglass screen — are crafted by artisans from Brianza, spiritual home of the Italian craftsman.

Over the course of the exhibition, in situ until April 2026, the spaces will host sound baths and meditation sessions as a way of expanding beyond the exhibition model.