Italian-American design duo Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran, founders of Dimorestudio, continue to dominate the luxury interior design world more than two decades after establishing their Milan-based studio in 2003. The pair will celebrate their 20th anniversary at the Milan Furniture Fair in 2026, marking two decades of creating compelling narratives through design, transforming nostalgia into creative material, and consistently reinventing the past for contemporary spaces.
At the most recent Milan Furniture Fair, Salci and Moran were once again the talk of the event, with their collaborations with luxury brands Loro Piana, Yves Salomon, and Hosoo drawing widespread attention. Despite being established players in the design world since 2006, when they first made waves at the Milan show, the duo remains at the forefront of luxury design innovation. Their success was almost immediate following the studio's founding, and they have maintained their position as an unshakeable reference point in the luxury universe for over twenty years.
When asked about the enduring appeal of their work, the duo, who speak with one unified voice, explained that they introduced a design language that wasn't being used at the time. "When we showcased it at the Furniture Fair in 2006, it really caught the public's attention," they said. "It was carried by journalists, particularly French ones. Since then, the press has never stopped supporting us. We were lucky." However, their success extends far beyond luck, rooted in their commitment to experimentation and bold creative choices.
Reflecting on their breakthrough moment in 2006, Salci and Moran noted that Milan's design codes at the time were dominated by white, black, and gray. "We brought a lot of color," they explained. "We immediately took the side of experimentation." Working with limited resources, they exhibited in what was then an off-center and unknown district of Milan – an area that has since become highly frequented following the installation of the Prada Foundation. "We thought we'd receive 10 people, but word-of-mouth worked and we had 35,000!" they recalled.
Nearly twenty years later, at the 2025 Salon, they remained the stars of the show. They describe the annual Milan event as "the only time of the year when we do what we want." While they work with remarkable clients who seek out their unorthodox approach, they must still adapt to brand DNA and various constraints, particularly in hospitality and retail projects. "We learn a lot from them," they acknowledge. "But the Salon is the place where we truly express our creativity. And it's also these freely imagined exhibitions that trigger the desire of new clients: it's a virtuous circle."
Over two decades of evolution, the duo admits they have "unfortunately aged" but notes that their partnership now functions more fluidly. Moran handles more of the commercial side and client relationships, while Salci focuses on the creative aspects. "We are more mature in terms of structure, and this shows in our achievements," they explained. When asked to define their current style, they reference a recent client who called them "ambassadors of contemporary classic" – a description they find quite accurate, even though they consider themselves still avant-garde.
"Certainly, we love the past, but not from a historical point of view," they clarify. "We are rather guided by the idea of what the past could have looked like, how we would have liked to live in 1930, in 1970... We draw inspiration from these periods, but we interpret them. It's never about recreating the old. It's a creative nostalgia." They look toward specific styles that are timeless and transpose them into a contemporary aesthetic.
This nostalgic element appears to be fundamental to their approach. "Our loved ones regularly point out that we are nostalgic," they acknowledge. "Undoubtedly nostalgia reassures us. Perhaps it allows us to connect with furniture, with objects that we identify with more easily." However, they emphasize that this is a "creative nostalgia" – they look toward specific, timeless styles and transpose them into a contemporary aesthetic.
Several projects have marked significant milestones in their career. The renovation of the Grand Hotel et de Milan, with its 95 rooms, was a turning point. In the restaurant sector, Caffè Burlot in Paris, created at the request of Thierry Costes, was equally major. "Working with one of the greatest restaurant entrepreneurs was an incredible opportunity," they noted. In retail, the VIP salon created for Fendi in Rome stands as a great success. "People continue to ask us for the reference of the paint we used on the walls!" they laughed.
Storytelling has become increasingly central to their work over time. "We have this will. And more and more. Storytelling has become central over time, because in our heads, there are always a thousand ideas that we must express!" What they created for Loro Piana at the latest Milan Salon illustrates this approach perfectly – a scenography with its lighting and sound scenario that created an immersive brand experience that went far beyond traditional furniture display.
