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A few months after our first encounter with Fanny Bauer Grung and David Lopez Quincoces, we’re about to meet them again. We’re not meeting them in one of their latest creations; this time, they are welcoming us to their own apartment. It gives us the chance to enjoy treading once again the pavements of the emblematic Brera region in the centre of Milan. It’s next to the Sforza Castel that we start our visit, in a classic 20th century building. On the first floor, to be precise. Hardly have we entered, that we are already spellbound by the impressive size of the rooms. Vast dimensions that set off the original wooden floor, that has been preserved with exceptional care. And then the light. Everywhere. Generous. The stage is set! In a style very personal to them, our hosts let their hearts do the talking. Artworks, very dear to them and whose history they have studied. Curios too. Souvenirs from their extensive travels, carefully arranged almost in choreographic style, in the midst of a host of works of art. Almost exclusively Italianate, their design pieces are a declaration of their love for Italy, a love that began more than ten years ago. For neither she (Norwegian) nor he (Spanish) are originally from Italy. They are lucky enough to have met each other there. The chance of a lifetime. An adventure that will first lead to them founding their agency. Then 5 years ago Fanny joins David at his studio, Quincoces-Dragò. Alongside talents from across the whole world, the couple shine forth. Establish themselves. Projects come flooding in. The most famous galleries ask for them, including the Six Gallery, subject of lots of media attention, for which they were to be entrusted with the interior design and the unusual curation of artworks. As in their home, their taste is exquisite. Carefully studied even down to the colour of the walls; dark grey for the private areas, white for the rest. A fabulous place waiting to be discovered.
Fanny, David: who does what in your duo?
It’s very much a mix – we work together and come to conclusions together through confrontation. However, David starts out with the idea of a layout, he is very creative with space, and then I will starts with the atmosphere/ materials.
What part of Milan are we in?
Close to the castle! right in the middle of the city and the historic parts of Milan.
Tell us the story of this apartment. How long have you lived here?
We moved many years ago from the previous apartement in which we lived. Fanny had moved into my old flat, which was wonderful, but smaller and slightly more masculine, of course. Eventually as the office grew, we realized we needed more space and wanted to optimize both flat and studio, so we moved into this apartment thinking we would have our office here as well for quite some time. However within 8 months we outgrew the flat as well, and moved to proper offices, which was very nice, as we got the entire flat to ourselves, since we love it so much, it feels great.
How did you furnish it? What kind of atmosphere did you want to create?
The flat is a typical Milanese flat, with tall ceilings and beautiful original decor, and we wanted to keep just that, all its orginal feeling which is so welcoming and wonderful. We are however contemporary in our work, so we furnished it with both old and new pieces, like we do in our interior projects. There are pieces by our friends, like the great library by Pietro Russo, and pieces done by David like the George’s chair for Living Divani. There are also vintage pieces that we have found throught the years and pieces by those we admire the most, like Castiglioni. Some were key in creating the atmosphere like the carpet by Altai Gallery in Milan, whilst others are more subtle.
Are there any pieces from the Six Gallery – which you are responsible for curating – or others from your own range of designs?
No we currently dont have any Six Gallery pieces, many sold! But we do have some of Davids designs for the companies he works with like Living Divani or Lema, although he is quite shy and would rather not have too much of his work at home.
Tell us about your art collection. Where did the pieces come from? How do you like to showcase them?
We love art, we both studied History of Art before studying architecture, hence it is very intertwined in our work and something we always look at for inspiration. We are lucky to have some great artists like Gianni Politi (triptych in living room) and Goldschmied & Chiari (mirror like work in office) that are close friends and that is very inspiring.
The flat is a typical Milanese flat, with tall ceilings and beautiful original decor, and we wanted to keep just that.
Did colours play an important role in the design of your interior?
Yes in the sense that we wanted to keep it very natural and neutral, so not a lot of color – we painted the very private areas of the apartement dark grey, to oppose the more public ones, but other than that in the decor everything is wood white, or natural green evoking nature.
Who are the masters (designers, artists, etc.) who inspire you in your work and in your daily life?
So many! As mentioned art has always been a big inspiration. Anyone from Donald Judd, to Eduardo Chillida to Frank Stella have contributed greatly in our work, and continue to do so.
What is your latest news here in Milan and abroad?
We have many exciting projects going on from commercial to private residences. we are particularly excited to finish a townhouse in London and a villa in Miami.
Photography: Constance Gennari – Text: Caroline Balvay @thesocialitefamily
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