Founded in 1883 by by Milan-based entrepreneur Lorenzo Usellini, Satinine (pron.: Sa-tee-neen) initially imported toiletry articles, but eventually evolved into a renowned fragrance house after World War I. Late last year, the storied brand was revived by seasoned industry professionals Andrea Galletti and Ridgely Cinquegrana of Profumieri Milano, a perfumery laboratory, and given the refined sensibilities of the hometown crowd, a standalone Satinine boutique was an inevitable next step. Occupying a unit on the ground floor of a historic building situated around the corner from the majestic Duomo, the Satinine retail space a.k.a. Officina Milanese welcomes shoppers in fittingly alluring settings created by Italian designer Mara Bragagnolo.
Taking the brand’s storied past into account, the chosen design codes are a contemporary reinterpretation of a Milanese perfumery and local architectural tradition, while city-specific elements, such as rigor and innovation, have also been blended in. Additionally, the store takes ample cues from the entrance halls of historic Milanese buildings, transitional spaces where grandeur and elegance is merely part of a proper welcome. Dark oak panels, alternated by sleek glazed tiles, and terracotta flooring with a sinuous pattern form the warm backdrop for a monumental counter featuring matching oak sides with recessed sections and a monumental marble top with inlaid metal and a built-in sink. It’s flanked on one side by a smaller equivalent with a lacquered burl wood top – mind you, the Satinine brand name is inlaid in elegant mother-of-pearl lettering – with metal trimming and vaulted sides.
Needless to say, all furnishings have been custom-made by hand. Special attention has been given to the lighting, which has been designed in collaboration with designer Martina Frattura, comprising various sleek sconces and desk lamps. The adjacent private room, concealed by a door composed of cathedral glass partitions, invites shoppers into an entirely different setting. Furnished with a sofa, ottoman, chair and side tables, and all in a soft green hue, it’s intended as a curatorial space, it features a setting that’s constant transformation, hosting collaborations and temporary installations, while projecting Satinine into a constant dialogue with the world of design and art. The new Satinine store carries the full range of fragrances, home fragrance diffusers, and soap bars. © superfuture
Satinine
Via Giuseppe Mengoni 4 (Duomo)
20121 Milan
Telephone +39 352 0854183
Daily 11am-8pm
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