The Gray

Material championship. "Très chic" in the (design) lion's den. Anyone choosing a Milan location between the Duomo and La Scala to challenge the local design gurus on their home territory is allowed to be provocative, but a good idea or two won't go amiss either. The Ciompi Studio team (who also work for Gucci) have pulled out all the stops and take us on a magical mystery tour through the wonderful world of materials: wild-grained wooden washstands and the same wood, embellished with silver leaves, at reception – next to modernist columns with spot lighting on black steel. In the lobby, a hanging sofa gently swings and invites you to chill out in the here and now.