VoyageLA Interviews Marta Leo, Founder of MadInteriorArt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marta Leo.

Hi Marta, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My roots in the art and design world run incredibly deep, but my personal journey is defined by the digital age.

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 through my father, the prominent antiquarian Michel Leo, and his historic space, Galleria Michel Leo—a cultural staple for over forty years. Yet, while this 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 boundless potential of the internet to the timeless beauty of art. This vision led me to create my own company: MadInteriorArt by Maden (www.madinteriorart.com).

MadInteriorArt is the true protagonist of my career. When I launched the platform in the early 2000s, our initial focus was the Italian market. But my ultimate goal for the website was to transcend physical borders. Through MadInteriorArt, I successfully built a direct, digital bridge connecting Milan to Los Angeles.

Today, MadInteriorArt curates a highly eclectic, sophisticated collection that speaks directly to the West Coast aesthetic. Through the site, we offer everything from exquisite Murano glass vases and Space Age rugs to vintage Cartier alarm clocks, iconic Fornasetti lighting, and classic Christofle tableware. We also deal heavily in striking visual art, such as Alexander Calder lithographs and original Patrick Nagel posters spanning the 60s through the 90s—alongside many other extraordinarily beautiful, elite design pieces curated specifically for a high-end clientele.

Because of the international reach MadInteriorArt has achieved, our largest and most loyal client base is now in Southern California. We regularly ship our curated pieces to highly discerning collectors, including prominent figures in Hollywood’s entertainment industry and the finance sector. Our pieces find their homes in some of the most beautiful estates across Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Malibu, and Pasadena.

Ultimately, my story is about taking the inspiration of a rich, Milanese heritage and using my platform, MadInteriorArt, to bring a unique curation of elite design directly to Los Angeles.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t call it a smooth road, but perhaps not for the reasons people might expect. The logistical side of the business—creating the digital platform and building that bridge between Milan and Los Angeles—hasn’t 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, or the absolute perfect vintage cocktail shaker. This constant search is a daily challenge that 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.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and 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. On our site, http://www.madinteriorart.com, 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 the rigorous, traditional expertise from my family’s historic Milanese antiquarian background 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.

Brand-wise, I am incredibly proud of the trust we have established with some of the most discerning collectors in the world. Knowing that high-profile individuals in Hollywood and the finance sector rely on MadInteriorArt to furnish their estates in Bel Air, Beverly Hills, and Malibu is a tremendous honor. I am incredibly proud that we have successfully taken a refined Milanese soul and given it a powerful, global voice.

Ultimately, what I want your readers to know about our brand 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 that 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—my father’s historic gallery in Milan’s Brera district. The “safe” and expected path would have been to simply stay in that physical space and follow his exact traditional footsteps.

Instead, I took the leap to build a digital platform in the early 2000s, at a time when selling high-end, elite interior pieces and art online was a massive gamble. The prevailing thought was that discerning luxury collectors in places like Los Angeles 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, traditional categories.

But both of those risks paid off beautifully. Taking that leap allowed me to build a loyal global clientele. I truly believe that whether in business or in interior design, if you are not taking risks, you are not creating anything memorable.

Contact Info: