Modern Design, Italian Sensibility: What Makes a Space Feel Cultured

jenn5997
Nov 5
3 min read

Toronto has no shortage of beautifully finished homes—but the ones that truly stand out have a certain depth to them. A clarity. A cultivated energy.

That’s what I learned in Milan. I moved there to do my Master’s in Interior Design, and what I found was more than a curriculum. It was a way of seeing—how the architecture, the materials, the light, the craftsmanship of everyday life came together to create spaces that weren’t just beautiful, but deeply intentional. I feel like I learned just as much from being in the city and connecting with designers and architects from around the world than I did from being in class.

When I returned to Toronto, it was with one purpose: to bring a piece of that sensibility home.

Italian design is about restraint, but it’s also about richness. It's tactile and clean at the same time. Materials are respected. Details are purposeful. There’s a quiet glamour to it all, whether you’re walking into a gallery, a café, or someone’s home.

At LN Studio, that’s what we aim to translate. Contemporary interiors with a hint of Italian flare—not in an obvious way, but in the way the space feels. Balanced. Grounded. And always thoughtful.

If you're drawn to the quiet elegance of this type of thoughtful design, there's a way to bring that into your home—without leaving the city.

1. Choose meaning over trend. Cultured spaces aren’t built on what’s popular, they’re built on what endures. Italians rarely design around what's “in”; they design around what’s true to the architecture, the region, the individual. Choose pieces with a story, a purpose, or a sense of place.

2. Embrace restraint as a form of refinement. A cultured interior isn’t crowded. It’s edited. In Milan, I saw homes with just a handful of objects, each one beautifully considered. Leave space for the eye to rest, and let strong materials, forms, or silhouettes take the lead.

3. Respect the materials. There’s a reverence for materials in Italy that makes even the simplest spaces feel elevated. Let stone look like stone. Let wood grain show. Avoid overprocessing or overdecorating. The material itself is the decoration.

4. Design with a point of view. Whether it’s a vintage chair from a local flea market or a contemporary pendant by a well-known designer, each choice should reflect the homeowner’s values and taste. Ask them about their travels, if they’ve picked anything up along the way. Ask them about the pieces in their home currently that mean something to their family. Cultured spaces always feel personal, and a little inquiry goes a long way.

5. Layer history and modernity. A sense of culture often comes from contrast: the tension between the old and the new. In Italy, it's common to see a centuries-old wall behind a sleek modern light. Bring that philosophy home by mixing contemporary lines with time-worn objects.

6. Let light do the storytelling. In Milanese interiors, lighting is atmospheric; its intent is to bring the architecture to life. Dimmable sconces, indirect light, and natural sunlight all shape the mood of a room. A cultured space knows how to shift with the day. Observe your patterns of living and determine which situational lighting makes sense for you.

Incorporating Italian design sensibilities into a Canadian context isn’t about copying a look, but rather, channeling a mindset. It’s about creating spaces that are not only elegant, but emotionally rich. Spaces that speak to who you are, where you’ve been, and how you want to live.

Want to inquire about translating these design principals into your home? Connect with us here!