Interiors: The fashion house | Daily Mail Online

The sofa is a vintage find from EBay that was recovered in a velvet by Rubelli.com. The astrology-inspired rug is a Missoni prototype

A joyful mix of colour and pattern, Margherita Missoni’s Italian home is as bright and beautiful as her family’s famous fashion brand   

Margherita in the dining room. The forest wall mural was handpainted by Pictalab

Margherita in the dining room. The forest wall mural was handpainted by Pictalab

With one of the most famous names in fashion, you may think it surprising that Margherita Missoni, granddaughter of Missoni founder Rosita, has chosen to take up residence in a small Italian town around 35 miles north of Milan.

Varese, however, is the Missoni family’s hometown, where Margherita grew up. ‘I have very deep roots,’ she says. ‘I love the provincial life, and it’s a good contrast to fashion and all that glitter.’ Working in collaboration with the studio founded by legendary designer and architect Aldo Cibic, Margherita and her husband, racing car driver Eugenio Amos, built a family home that feels both grand and intimate. ‘We wanted a house that changes with the seasons,’ says Margherita. ‘In the summer it’s flooded with light, and in the winter it feels warm and cosy.’

Part of the house’s intimate feel comes from the pieces that fill it. ‘I’m a hoarder,’ laughs Margherita. ‘I still have stuff I bought in New York when I was 20, which I took to Rome, to Milan, and now here. Everything tells a story.’ The spoils from these travels, along with Ebay and flea-market finds, are dotted throughout the house and mixed in with heirloom pieces.

The luminous yellow ‘Giallo di Siena’ marble in the bathroom is a nod to her grandmother rosita’s Milan apartment, where Margherita lived while at university

In the kitchen, stools found at a flea market surround a bespoke Dining table. For similar tiles, try the Mono Hex at Capietra.com

The luminous yellow ‘Giallo di Siena’ marble in the bathroom is a nod to her grandmother rosita’s Milan apartment, where Margherita lived while at university. In the kitchen, stools found at a flea market surround a bespoke Dining table. For similar tiles, try the Mono Hex at Capietra.com

A modernist sofa found on Ebay takes pride of place in the sitting room, where a Perspex screen by architect Andrea Branzi splits the space into two distinct areas.

‘My office is my favourite place in my home,’ says Margherita. The room is filled with her collection of daisies – her name means ‘daisy’ in Italian – and lit by a Murano glass chandelier by designer Paolo Venin

The wooden four-poster bed by Milanese sculptor and furniture designer Mauro Mori is the focus in the master bedroom, along with the bold zebra-print carpet. For a similar print rug, try Very.co.uk

‘My office is my favourite place in my home,’ says Margherita. the room is filled with her collection of daisies – her name means ‘daisy’ in Italian – and lit by a Murano glass chandelier by designer Paolo Venin. the wooden four-poster bed by Milanese sculptor and furniture designer Mauro Mori is the focus in the master bedroom, along with the bold zebra-print carpet. For a similar print rug, try Very.co.uk

Missoni is a brand associated with bright colour and pattern, and Margherita’s house is full of references to her heritage. The drawing room’s zodiac carpet is a Missoni prototype taken directly from the showroom floor. The 1960s Murano glass chandelier that hangs in the office was recovered from her grandmother Rosita’s storage unit. ‘My mother and grandmother occasionally give things away, and if you’re there on the right occasion you get lucky,’ she smiles.

Shop the look  

Channel Margherita’s vibrant style with lively prints and accents of bold colour

Stool, £69, cultfurniture.com, Pendant light, £175, matchimatchi.com, Leaf wall light, £60, grahamandgreen.co.uk, Wallpaper, £115 a roll, poodleandblonde.com, Rug (3ft x 5ft), £128, anthropologie.com, Cushion, £70, attpynta.com, Sofa, £4,500, Jonathan Adler, sweetpeaandwillow.com, Chair, £149, made.com, Plant pot and stand, £35, oliverbonas.com, Table, £195, oliverbonas.com, Vase, £55, couvertureandthegarbstore.com

Stool, £69, cultfurniture.com, Pendant light, £175, matchimatchi.com, Leaf wall light, £60, grahamandgreen.co.uk, Wallpaper, £115 a roll, poodleandblonde.com, Rug (3ft x 5ft), £128, anthropologie.com, Cushion, £70, attpynta.com, Sofa, £4,500, Jonathan Adler, sweetpeaandwillow.com, Chair, £149, made.com, Plant pot and stand, £35, oliverbonas.com, Table, £195, oliverbonas.com, Vase, £55, couvertureandthegarbstore.com

For more information, go to missoni.com. This is an edited extract from More Than Just A House by Alex Eagle (Rizzoli, £39.95). To order a copy for £35.16 with free p&p until 6 December go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3308 9193