By Chiara Sebastiani
When Interior Design Becomes Listening, Connection and Shared Vision.
Sometimes the most authentic stories are born without too many calculations, almost by instinct. It is precisely from an intuition – or perhaps, as the name suggests, from a real “sixth sense” – that the identity of Sesto Senso, a Lucca-based company specializing in furniture and interior design, now led by Alessandra and Monica, takes shape.
Their paths crossed over time, after common studies in architecture and different professional paths. It was Alessandra who gave her first impetus, in 2005, when she decided to leave her job to embark on an adventure of her own. A clear, almost sudden passage: a trip to Paris, the choice of the first furnishings, and in a few months the opening of the store. “We quit in January and on March 19 we opened,” she says. A courageous start, which has also gone through complex years for the economy, consolidating over time until the recent transfer, in 2024, to a new, larger and more functional location.
Monica joined the project ten years ago, bringing with her skills and a complementary outlook. Today theirs is a balance built day after day, made up of continuous confrontation and a natural integration of roles: on the one hand a more creative and “volcanic” sensibility, on the other a deep knowledge of the world of design and its protagonists. “We discuss everything,” they explain, “every project is shared, even when it is followed by only one of us.
“The name itself, Sesto Senso, encapsulates a part of their philosophy. Initially born almost by chance, with the desire to avoid overly conventional labels, it has proved over time to be perfectly adherent to their way of working. Because designing an environment is not just a technical or aesthetic matter, but implies the ability to perceive needs, desires and habits that are often not explicit. This is where that intuition comes into play that allows you to transform a space into an authentic, tailor-made place.
Their approach to design always starts from a fundamental assumption: knowing people. Each project is the result of an in-depth dialogue, continues with careful inspections and develops through a careful analysis of the characteristics of the space, including strengths and weaknesses. Nothing is left to chance. “The important thing is to understand who will inhabit that environment,” they emphasize.
Only in this way is it possible to translate concrete needs into harmonious solutions, capable of combining functionality and aesthetics. Personalization is one of the distinctive elements of their work. Sesto Senso does not limit itself to proposing standard solutions, but builds unique environments, where every detail contributes to defining a precise identity. From the choice of materials to the design of custom-made elements, up to advice on colours, coverings and plasterboard structures, the service is complete and strongly oriented towards those who will live in the spaces. “We don’t like to standardize,” they explain, “each house must be exclusive.”
“This focus is also reflected in how projects are managed, regardless of their scale. Whether it’s a single room or an entire home, the commitment remains the same. “We never take anything for granted,” they say, “we approach every job with the same energy and passion.” An approach that over time has built a solid relationship of trust with customers, fueled above all by word of mouth and the continuity of the relationship even after delivery.
The customer profile is heterogeneous: from local to international, from first homes to residences in Versilia or abroad. There is no typical interlocutor, just as there is no single style. Rather, a tendency emerges to contaminate different languages, creating contemporary but never extreme environments, capable of dialoguing with the context and with the history of spaces. Even in the tradition of Lucca, often linked to family homes, more current elements are now inserted, in a balance that reflects the evolution of the way of living.
On the trend front, the focus is on innovative materials and increasingly sophisticated material combinations. Technical and high-performance fabrics, new generation melamine surfaces, handcrafted woodwork, decorative wallpapers and boiserie become tools to create coherent but dynamic environments. “We like to make different elements coexist,” they explain, “without rigidly following the rules.” It is precisely in this design freedom that their stylistic code is expressed.
A distinctive element of the new headquarters is the space dedicated to professionals: an area designed for architects and designers who want to work closely with materials, samples and concrete solutions. A place of discussion and collaboration, also born as a tribute to the memory of the architect Ezio Andreotti, to whom the history of that desk now at the center of space is linked.
In a constantly evolving sector, the themes of sustainability and technological innovation are also redefining design choices. Companies are adapting to new needs, introducing more environmentally friendly materials and processes. But beyond trends, what remains central is the relationship with those who entrust them with their space and the ability to interpret their identity.
So yes, maybe that “sixth sense” really exists. It is not something abstract, but a concrete sensitivity, refined with experience and nourished by daily confrontation. It is what allows Alessandra and Monica to transform each project into a story, each space into a place to live.
Info: Sesto Senso Srl, Via Don Lazzeri 25, località Arancio, Lucca / Tel. 0583 496230 / info@sestosensosrl.it / www.sestosensosrl.it
