If there’s one event not to miss during Milan design week, it’s the unveiling of the new Casaornella – the marvellous Milanese home and showroom of Maria Vittoria Paggini. Every year, the self-taught interior designer gives her apartment a full makeover to mark the occasion.
The current iteration is a tribute to a slower pace of life, perhaps a necessary response to the whirlwind of the post-pandemic years, which have coincided with Paggini’s meteoric rise and establishment on the design scene.
‘Although I’m the first to say that life needs to be lived to the fullest, I also believe moments of rest are just as important – if not more so,’ says Maria Vittoria, who found inspiration for the scheme in the rich coastal cultures that line the Mediterranean basin: ‘I wanted to bring a slice of that laidback rhythm to my home in the heart of Milan.’
One look at her apartment and it’s clear the only rule here is that there are no rules. ‘Although it’s nearly impossible, I strive to let my imagination run wild, staying away from any kind of reference and inspiration,’ she explains, adding: ‘I want my raw emotions and aesthetic language to take the lead.’
The home’s central rooms – an exotic animal-print kitchen, a living room evocative of Morocco’s courtyards and a versatile space that transforms from wardrobe to convivial bar – are connected by pointed arched openings influenced by a blend of arabesque and gothic design. When asked about them, Paggini lights up, confessing she’d love the opportunity to design a church – unsurprising, perhaps, given her penchant for ornate geometry, opulent materials, iconographic imagery, bold colours and sculptures of body parts.
‘The ceilings are always a great opportunity,’ she continues, glancing upwards in the living room at her interpretation of a modern-day fresco. ‘I love to decorate them because they don’t intrude on the rest of the design.’ Floors, walls and curtains, too, become canvases for expression. In many parts, they showcase the work of her trusted entourage of artists (Michele Chiocciolini, Tatiana Brodatch and Alberto Alicata, to name a few), who are invited to leave their distinct imprint on Casaornella’s transformation.
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Nearly every corner and object has been touched by Paggini’s creative hand. ‘I tend to change anything I can from its original form,’ she says. ‘Pushing things to the extreme gives me immense pleasure.’ She also partners with a number of established brands; for example, her bed and bedside tables are part of her ‘Motel’ line for Softhouse.
Most textiles are by Pierre Frey, though some curtains feature a second layer of fabric adorned with artwork by Chiocciolini. The antique-lace curtains were once a tablecloth belonging to her mother, which she repurposed for this project. Ceramic tiles, often covering the most unlikely of surfaces, are by Quintessenza Ceramiche. Even vintage furniture has been reimagined – Maria Vittoria simply can’t help herself.
Fluidity of space is another signature of her design language. Openings without doors, multifunctional spaces and a bedroom accessible both from the main hall and the bathroom encourage flexibility, perfectly suited for Maria Vittoria’s lifestyle. She hosts monthly dinners at Casaornella with one playful condition: among the guests, three must be strangers – to her, her friends and each other – selected from her Instagram followers.
After a successful first run, she says the format has injected fresh energy into her soirées. Stepping into her home is akin to being transported to another place and time. The apartment reads like Maria Vittoria’s giant moodboard – ironic, joyful and brimming with positive vibes. casaornella.com
