Historic Villa Interior Design in Lugano, Switzerland
Nestled in a unique location overlooking the breathtaking Lugano Lake, this historic villa interior design project began when a Los Angeles–based client acquired the property with the intention of transforming it into a one-of-a-kind contemporary retreat. What started as a request for a custom dining table gradually evolved into a substantial interior design project, shaped by trust, flexibility, and a close collaborative process.
The project focused exclusively on the interiors, shaping each space through custom furniture, tailored adaptations, and a material language carefully balanced between historical character and contemporary sophistication. From the dining room and living room to a formal home office and a more informal work area, every intervention was designed to respond to the client’s lifestyle while preserving the atmosphere of the villa.
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Year: 2024
Project Type: Custom Interiors
Residence Type: Historic Villa
Location: Lugano, Switzerland
Areas in the Project: Dining Room, Living Room, Family Room and Home Office
Exclusive Products: Biloba Bar Cabinet and Benagil Coffee Table
Iconic Pieces: Galapinhos Sofa, Fontaine Dining Table and Anjos Dining Chairs
Inside the Design
This project was defined by a highly collaborative and evolving design journey. The client first approached Greenapple with a very specific request: the development of a custom Fontaine Dining Table for her historic villa in Lugano. The first version of the table was developed in close dialogue with the client, including the selection of a marble sourced in Italy. However, just as production was about to begin, the client changed her mind.
Rather than treating this as a setback, Greenapple embraced the change with patience and understanding, returning to the beginning of the process to develop a completely new design direction. A new material was selected, this time Noir Grand Antique marble sourced from France, and the table was redesigned accordingly. This openness, flexibility, and willingness to restart the process proved essential in building the client’s trust. Later, she shared that very few companies would respond with such understanding when a client changes direction so late in the process.
That Art Deco inspired dining table became the starting point for a much broader intervention. What began with a single bespoke piece expanded into the design of the full dining room, living room, a formal home office and a more informal office created specifically for the client herself.
Several other pieces were created or adapted specifically for this residence. The Benagil Coffee Table was developed exclusively for the project, while the Galapinhos Lounge Chairs were conceived as an adaptation of the Galapinhos Sofa, creating a cohesive seating arrangement in the living areas. The Biloba sideboard was reimagined as a bespoke bar cabinet, designed to accommodate different types of glasses and bottles while integrating a refrigerated compartment. For the office area, Greenapple also developed the Lugano Desk, an exclusive design combining marble, leather, and brass details, conceived as a sophisticated and functional extension of the home’s interior identity.
The relationship with the client remained central throughout the project. After the initial design stages, she visited Greenapple in Portugal and spent the day with the team, experiencing firsthand the brand’s production capabilities, material expertise, and craftsmanship. That visit deepened the connection behind the project, strengthening the client’s confidence in both the process and the people involved.
The result is a layered and highly personal interior, where custom design, iconic pieces, and architectural sensitivity come together in a unique interpretation of historic villa interior design, balancing contemporary living with the character of a remarkable home.
“Thank you so much today for your time, creativity, warmth and hospitality. It was a wonderful day of fantastic creativity and work. (…) Thank you for showing us your years of hard work. It was really incredible to see all that you’ve built.”
