Among the iconic names of Made in Italy design, Porro, founded in 1925 in the heart of Brianza and this year celebrating its 100th anniversary — has been selected for the prestigious renovation project of the Embassy of Italy in London.

The second and third floors of the historic 1868 building, located at 4 Grosvenor Square — the official residence of the Italian Ambassador Inigo Lambertini and his family — have undergone a meticulous transformation led by Nick Vinson of the studio Vinson&Co, in collaboration with Fiona Lamb and the team at Avanti Architects, responsible for the project’s technical and bureaucratic aspects.

Conceived to celebrate the vitality and innovation of Italian design, the project masterfully combines tradition and modernity, creating a harmonious dialogue that enhances the building’s historical architecture while embracing the distinctive character of the finest contemporary design, represented by over 50 prestigious brands.

In this context, the craftsmanship and attention to detail that have always distinguished Porro could not be absent. The brand plays a key role in the project with its Storage system of wardrobes and walk-in closets, designed by Piero Lissoni + CRS Porro. Offered in numerous variants, this system epitomizes the brand’s endless possibilities for customization, both in spatial configurations and in the choice of finishes and accessories — confirming its vision of design that is both tailored and sophisticated.

In the Ambassador’s dressing room, the refined elegance of the Storage hinged-door wardrobe with Iron doors in transparent glass and Iron frame was chosen to create a subtle dialogue with the original 1930s cabinetry, carefully restored. The structure and interior fittings, crafted in matt Blu Reale lacquer, are distinguished by refined and functional details: shelves with integrated lighting, a bent shoe rack, a suspended chest of drawers, and a trouser holder with drawer. The black metal components complete the wardrobe’s contemporary and sophisticated aesthetic, perfectly blending with the deep, distinctive blue tone selected for the bespoke design — a bold and unconventional choice, symbolically evoking the color of Italy.

In the Ambassador’s grooming area, conceived as an intimate and functional space dedicated to personal care, a Modern desk by Piero Lissoni, in natural oak with an integrated drawer, stands out in contrast against the light blue wall.

For the Ambassador’s wife’s dressing room, an L-shaped Storage composition was selected, featuring a cuvée metal structure, white cherry interiors, transparent shelves, and an inclined shoe rack — all equipped with an integrated lighting system that creates a luminous effect, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the wardrobe. At the center of the room stands the Acquario central chest of drawers by Piero Lissoni, whose transparent glass structure combined with cuvée and white cherry details echoes the wardrobe design, lending a sense of harmony to the space. Natural aged leather accents complete the composition, adding an exclusive and sophisticated touch. The layout is completed by the Reflection mirror by Piero Lissoni with a cuvée frame.

In the Ambassador’s bedroom, the Offshore bedside tables by Piero Lissoni, made of solid natural hemlock, are the perfect complement to a calm and refined environment. The central hole detail allows access to an internal container with a removable tray. 
The Offshore bedside tables by Piero Lissoni were selected also for the magenta presidential suite and for the brown guest suite.
In the dining room, the space is defined by the clean, geometric lines and striking glossy finish of the Origata console by Nao Tamura, presented in rosso cina lacquer. With its minimalist design, this piece creates a visually impactful presence — ideal for enhancing both contemporary and classical interiors with a subtle flair.
Moving up to the third floor, which hosts several guest spaces, the sitting room features an Offshore sideboard with three doors and three drawers, finished in open-pore avorio lacquer: the interior are in maple wood, while the metal legs and handles feature a refined Iron finish.

In the Coat Room, attention is drawn to a Storage wardrobe with mirror doors, the main structure in white cherry, and external sides and interior door panels in matt “sugar-paper” blue lacquer. The internal fittings are also in white cherry for a cohesive design, while the metal parts are offered in a sophisticated cuvée finish, adding a final touch of elegance to the wardrobe’s overall aesthetic.

PROJECT SHEET
Destination: UK Italian Ambassador’s apartment.
Location: Westminster London - UK
Year of completion: 2024.
Client: Italian Government 
Contractor: Prime Property Group 
Architect: Avanti Architects 
Interior Design: Vinson&Co
Porro Products: 3 Storage wardrobes, 1 Acquario island, 1 Reflection mirror, 1 Modern writing desk, 6 Offshore bedside tables, 1 Offshore sideboard, 1 Origata console.
Photography credits: Beppe Brancato