“The beauty of imperfection and the sense of the unfinished, key elements employed by the creative duo Barbieri Magalini in the renovation of their unique and ever-changing home in the heart of Verona. They have lived and worked in Milan for 15 years, and everything they create radiates flashes of their manifesto, such as the passion for beautiful imperfection and the fascination with the unfinished, because it leaves a door open to imagination.”
“Manuel Barbieri and Marco Magalini practice a mental and aesthetic synergy that is rooted in a panoramic and humanistic vision of the project, with an artisanal soul oriented toward design, summarized in the mantra ‘Always for love’. Their home is a complete declaration of love for design, creativity, and life, a place in constant transformation and a focus of inspiration for those who inhabit and visit it.”
“Serpentine, the Adige River flows through Verona, like one of the treasures of the city of love where Casa Caleido is located, like a cultivated stone. It is in the historic district of Borgo Venezia in a Liberty-style building that its owners, Manuel Barbieri and Marco Magalini, of MM Company, have reinterpreted with very personal codes.”
“The renovation project, the result of joining two apartments, encompasses two approaches: wrapper and content. The first preserves original elements of the building, framed doors and decorative cement tiles, while the restoration of the original finishes respects the initial structure. The content reflects the eclectic vision of the creative duo who celebrate ‘raw beauty’ and incorporate influences from Brazil, Venice, and Morocco, a stylistic manifesto, fusion of different eras and architectural traditions.”
“The design of the spaces is imbued with a mixture of primitive materials — marble, walnut, iron, and concrete — focused on craftsmanship and custom design. Most of the furniture has been created by the designers as part of the Collezione Caleido, which includes iconic pieces such as Blue Sea marble dining tables, walnut benches, and a sideboard with zigzag-grained doors, manufactured in Italy by expert craftsmen. Additionally, the lamp collection — lighting is one of their passions — includes pieces by recognized designers such as Gino Sarfatti and Max Ingrand.”
“One of the distinctive elements is a textile wall conceived by Dooor and made of sound-absorbing velvet. It divides spaces fluidly, adapting to different uses, such as dinners, parties, or exhibitions, and symbolizes the flexibility and creativity that defines the philosophy of its owners.”
“The color palette is inspired by earth tones and is completed with details such as terracotta tables, Colombian baskets, and Venetian glass. The dining room is the core of the house, connects the rooms, and reflects the designers’ love for cooking and hospitality. Their tableware collection includes 100 unique glasses, art deco cutlery, and ceramics from around the world, in homage to gastronomy and conviviality.”
“Furthermore, the bathroom is inspired by Moroccan riads, incorporating an elephant-gray plaster bathtub, accessible through a ‘Caleido Arch’, between Arabic and Venetian, which follows the leitmotif of arches in this kind of Riad in Verona.”
“This evolving home is true to the spirit of the unfinished and, among its future plans, is transforming the garage into a winter garden, creating a space full of tropical plants that will complement the overall aesthetic of the house.”
Ph. Beppe Brancato, styling Giulia Taglialatela
