50ml Boutique Two: from an empty shop to a perfume boutique

The first time we visited the space that would become 50ml, it was an empty shop on two floors in Porta Romana, Milan, with white walls, a laminate floor and blue blinds over the windows. Fabio and Matteo Stringhini wanted a perfume boutique that would tell the story of scent through natural materials, low light and soft earthy colours. This is how the space changed, from the first walk-through to opening day.

What we found

Behind the clean white surfaces, the building needed a lot of work. Once the false ceilings and the old finishes came down, we found bare concrete, old brick and a basement stair that had to be completely rebuilt. The strip-out gave us a clear view of the structure and of what the new layout could be.

Drawing on the walls

Many decisions were made directly on site. We sketched details on the walls, checked the drawings with the builders and tested terracotta colours and tiles at full scale before choosing them.

A botanical mural

Upstairs, the Perfume Bar is wrapped by a 6 by 7 m mural painted by hand by the artist Nastia Gladushchenko. It shows plants and flowers used in perfumes from around the world, and it grew on the wall day by day, from the first outlines to the last layer of colour.

Walnut, made to measure

Walnut brings warmth and drama to the whole boutique. Wall panels, shelving, tables and the staircase were all made to measure in the workshop, then fitted on site piece by piece.

Light and the staircase

The stair between the two floors became one of the key moments of the shop. Walnut lines the walls and the steps, and a concealed light runs along the handrail, so the way down feels warm and quiet.

The final details

In the last weeks the lights were aimed, the shelves were filled and the curved terracotta counter took its place. Downstairs, organically shaped tables form a flexible space for displays, events and one-to-one consultations.