Dainelli Studio’s sartorial approach to space and object

Leonardo and Marzia Dainelli, protagonists of this new episode of Behind, are the founders of Dainelli Studio and partners in both life and work. They have shaped a practice based in Milan that spans interior design, product development, and, more recently, self-initiated production. 

Founded in Tuscany in the early 2000s, the studio later relocated to Milan to strengthen and expand specific phases of its work. The move marked a strategic step: closer proximity to companies, artisans and the industrial network allowed them to develop projects with greater depth and precision. Milan’s dynamic environment, they explain, has offered the results they were hoping for, even if it demands constant energy in return.

At the core of Dainelli Studio’s identity lies a continuous dialogue between interior and product design; Leonardo and Marzia approach them as interconnected layers of the same process. Products often emerge directly from interior commissions, designed ad hoc to reflect the character of a specific space, its history and the client’s brief. This method creates a coherent ecosystem in which furniture, materials and architecture speak a shared language.

Their background in product design has shaped a rigorous approach to proportion, detail and engineering. Even within residential renovations or hospitality projects, the attention typically associated with industrial development remains central. Technical feasibility, construction logic and material performance are considered from the outset. This discipline enables them to oversee each phase closely, from concept to execution.

Working as a duo further reinforces this structure. Leonardo and Marzia constantly exchange roles, offering each other both support and constructive critique. The process is defined by dialogue: ideas are tested, refined and sometimes challenged. This internal confrontation, rather than diluting authorship, strengthens it. The result is a body of work that evolves steadily, guided less by trends and more by the ambition to create spaces and objects that feel timeless.

In their interior projects, this aspiration often translates into interventions that stitch together past and present. Restoration and conservation play a significant role, especially in historic buildings where the existing architecture becomes an active component of the design narrative. Custom elements are developed to fit the proportions and character of each apartment or villa, reinforcing a sense of continuity.

This sartorial dimension is essential. Every project is conceived in relation to its specific context, avoiding standardized solutions. The studio’s stylistic code emerges through calibrated gestures: balanced compositions, measured geometries and a domestic atmosphere that privileges comfort without excess. Forms are often simple, almost primitive, yet defined by precise proportions. 

Material research is another defining element of their practice. Growing up in Tuscany left a strong imprint, particularly in their relationship with stone. Marble, deeply rooted in the region’s cultural landscape, appears consistently across both interiors and products. 

A more autonomous expression emerged with the launch of their self-produced collection, Atelier. Conceived through independent research and developed entirely under their direction, the collection crystallizes many of the studio’s recurring themes: attention to Made in Italy production, material authenticity and a search for balanced proportions. Here, the creative process unfolds without mediation, allowing Leonardo and Marzia to define not only the design but also the final decisions that shape each piece.

Through their work, Dainelli Studio articulates a coherent approach rooted in dialogue: between disciplines, between past and present, between two designers who continuously challenge each other. By bridging interior and product design, and by grounding each project in proportion and material awareness, Leonardo and Marzia Dainelli shape environments and objects that seek durability beyond seasonal trends. In doing so, they position their practice within a broader reflection on contemporary Italian design, one that values continuity, craftsmanship and a quiet sense of permanence.