CASIRAGHI RESIDENCE
FABRIZIO CASIRAGHI
One of the prominent architects and interior designers in the Paris scene, is the Milanese born Fabrizio Casiraghi who was educated as an Architect and Urban Planner at Polytechnic University in Milan. He trained and worked under the wing of the notable Dominique Perrault as well as Dimore Studio. In 2015, he established his own eponymous studio, where his clients have since included a mix of private residences, hotels and restaurants, as well as boutiques that include Lemaire, Kenzo, Aurelie Bidermann and Cire Trudon.
The Milanese designer has defined his own design philosophy as “free modernity that isn’t opposed to the past but rather incorporates historical references, a discrete ambience and a taste for the intimate while also being daring with combinations and through the imaginative use of light and space”.
Although the designer is accustomed to working on large residences internationally, when it came to purchasing his own apartment, the 34 year old was not too concerned with the number of square meters that the space would occupy. In fact, his own apartment measures 40 square meters with lavishly high ceilings that reach 4 metres in height, creating the illusion of space to this intimate canvas. Instead, his main priorities were concerned with his desire for the apartment to be able to accomodate two terraces, where he would be able to enjoy drinking his rosé under the sun, as well as a fireplace where he could entertain his guests by casually reclining in front of it whilst eating homemade risotto.
Casiraghi’s signature style is known to create a space that has been layered with time that feels as though it has been ‘lived in’, as he is completely adverse to it bearing any notion of it being ‘new’. His own residence is exemplary to this concept, which although the apartment was only just completed 18 months ago, it carries this essence that it has been inhabited for quite some time; perhaps even a decade as the designer would like to suggest. Just like any of Casiraghi’s projects, he is able to construct a story that unfolds within each of these layers that tell of beautiful journeys over the decades that have been collected like a treasure trove with each reveal.
In the living room, a warm and intimate setting has been composed with a classic terracotta coloured lounge that sits opposite the marble fireplace, and casually rests on a 1940s Persian rug. Suspended above the lounge is a carved wood panelled artwork that the designer bought in Palm Springs, with other works in the room that include a series of graphic artworks signed by his ‘papa’, who once worked for the art department at the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. A mirror by Victor Levai that has been decorated with fabricated coral, hangs above the fireplace and manifests the illusion of space by evoking the light from the terrace into this cosy room. Further tales of travels are depicted in this scene as momentos collected from Egypt in the form of ancient Egyptian sculptures and bowls are found, masks from Kenya, a lamp from Sweden, and pouffes from Morocco.
Through one of the double arches, it leads us into the breakfast nook and kitchen, where the second outdoor terrace can also be found that is parallel to the one found in the living room. Here, Casiraghi has chosen to pair American walnut cabinetry with a zinc oxidised finish to the splash back that is reminiscent of the designer’s ‘lived-in’ philosophy and draws reference to the silvery Parisian rooftops. A Danish artwork from the 1940s is incidentally propped up above the kitchen bench top that effortlessly melts within the set. This muted kitchen stands adjacent to the nook where the designer has chosen to apply an Uzbek kilim to the banquet seating, and is contrasted with a white Josef Hoffman table and fruit basket that pulls in with the Enrico Castellani artwork, which hangs above the nook.
The same vibrant warmth that we initially received in the living room has been mirrored in the bathroom. Here the expedition in time continues with handmade tiles by The Douglas Watson Studio which takes us to Ancient Greece through the figures that have been illustrated in black and terracotta. The designer has also chosen to continue this terracotta theme by painting the bathroom in the same hue.
Casiraghi’s love for intricate details such as handles and hinges which stem from his time volunteering at the 1930s Italian Mansion known as the Villa -Necchi -Campiglio becomes even more apparent with the specification within his own home.
Ascending through the white lacquered staircase, a sconce by Green River Project is a subtle gesture that guides us to what shall be revealed in the upper chambers. In the bedroom, Casiraghi has lacquered the walls and cupboards in what is called a Portofino Olive, which also mirrors any objects in view, thus creating another illusion to create space. Linen drapes by the Milanese house Arjumand’s World not only cancel out the light and noise from the busy street within this space, but also continues the passage into the Eastern world. Above the bed is a set of vintage sconces by Marcel Guillemard that softly illuminate the room, where the star printed cashmere bedspread by Saved in New York shines even more brightly and takes one into a deeper slumber of magnificent and foreign journeys.
Casiraghi’s residence can be likened to a captain who has journeyed across the seas and to far and distant places, as we find an eclectic melange of fascinating pieces collected from all over the world. Although on the surface it might appear that they have been spontaneously arranged, in reality it is a testament to the designer’s exceptional curatorial skills. It is emblematic of the designer’s philosophy of free modernity that is blended with numerous references, which creates this intimacy. This unrehearsed essence is what truly invites Casirgahi’s guests into his beautiful world, but more importantly his home.
PHOTOGRAPHY | ROMAIN LAPRADE