Curating Italian Design for Collectors Worldwide: an interview with Marta Leo
VoyageLA asked to interview our founder, Marta Leo, about MadInteriorArt. Here is the full conversation, as it originally appeared in the magazine.
We'd love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My foundation in the art world began in the heart of Milan's Brera district. I grew up completely immersed in the history and strict canons of classic art and interior design. Yet, while that environment instilled in me a deep respect for traditional heritage, I found myself equally captivated by the boundless possibilities of emerging technology. I realized early on that my true calling was to forge my own path and merge these two worlds, applying the potential of the internet to the timeless beauty of art. This vision led me to create MadInteriorArt by Maden.
When I launched the platform in the early 2000s, our initial focus was the Italian market. But my ultimate goal was to transcend physical borders. Through MadInteriorArt, I built a direct, digital bridge connecting Milan to collectors around the world. Today we curate a highly eclectic, sophisticated collection: exquisite Murano glass vases, Space Age rugs, vintage Cartier alarm clocks, iconic Fornasetti lighting, classic Christofle tableware, and striking visual art such as Alexander Calder lithographs and original Patrick Nagel posters spanning the 60s through the 90s.
We regularly ship curated pieces to discerning collectors across Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. In Southern California our pieces have found homes in some of the most beautiful estates in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Malibu and Pasadena.
Would you say it's been a smooth road?
I wouldn't call it a smooth road, but perhaps not for the reasons people might expect. The logistical side of the business has not been the most difficult part of the journey. The true struggle is the hunt itself. Finding that one truly unique, beautiful piece is a relentless, unending challenge. It is never just about sourcing inventory; it is about discovering the right Murano vase, the right Space Age rug, the absolute perfect vintage cocktail shaker.
This constant search began the exact moment I started MadInteriorArt, and it has never stopped. There is no finish line in this business. You have to remain completely, obsessively focused on the intrinsic value and absolute beauty of every single object you intend to offer your clients. Because the curation must be flawless, the search is never easy. That continuous quest for perfection means the road is never entirely smooth, but it is exactly what makes the work so deeply rewarding.
Let's talk business. What should we know?
At MadInteriorArt we are a digital gallery and design platform specializing in highly curated, elite interior pieces and art. We are known for our bold, eclectic catalog that seamlessly blends different eras, mediums and styles. A client might find striking Piero Fornasetti pieces paired with exquisite Murano glass vases, or rare Alexander Calder lithographs situated next to a vintage Cartier alarm clock. We specialize in the extraordinary.
What sets us apart is our distinct DNA. I bring rigorous, traditional Milanese expertise and apply it to a highly modern, digitally forward platform. Many dealers restrict themselves to one specific era or style, but we are not bound by time periods; we are bound entirely by intrinsic beauty, quality and rarity. We don't just sell objects, we curate an elevated lifestyle.
What I want readers to know is that MadInteriorArt is a living, meticulously curated collection. Every single item, whether it is classic Christofle tableware for hosting, a breathtaking Murano glass centerpiece or a stunning 1980s Ottavio Missoni rug, is hand-selected with obsessive attention to detail. Our offerings are designed to bring unparalleled character, history and sophistication into the most beautiful homes in the world.
Risk taking is a topic people have widely differing views on. We'd love to hear your thoughts.
To me, risk is absolutely essential for growth. If you never take a risk, you remain confined to what is already comfortable and known, which is the exact opposite of what art and design should be.
My biggest risk was undoubtedly the very creation of MadInteriorArt. I grew up in a highly established, respected and traditional environment, and the safe and expected path would have been to stay within it. Instead, I took the leap and built a digital platform in the early 2000s, at a time when selling high-end interior pieces and art online was a massive gamble. The prevailing thought was that discerning collectors needed to see and touch a Murano glass vase, a Cartier clock or a Missoni rug in person before purchasing. Trusting that I could use technology to build a bridge across the world and sell elite design completely digitally was a tremendous leap of faith.
There is also a constant, daily aesthetic risk in what we do. Curating a catalog that boldly mixes eras and styles, placing a 1980s piece next to classic antiques or Space Age designs, is a risk in an industry that often prefers strict categories. But both of those risks paid off beautifully. Taking that leap allowed me to build a loyal global clientele. Whether in business or in interior design, if you are not taking risks, you are not creating anything memorable.