Milan’s magnificent history cannot be considered without mentioning the house of Visconti. The family rose to power in the early 13th century, ruling the Italian capital of fashion and design for almost 200 years. The name continues to command respect today, propagated by the likes of celebrated film director Luchino Visconti and jewellery designer Osanna Visconti di Modrone. Famed for her distinctive, dramatic pieces, Osanna’s creativity isn’t confined to beautiful baubles. Just one look inside her family abode – situated a few steps from the Duomo in the heart of the city’s historic centre – shows that her talents are equally weighted in furniture and interior design.
The sober facade of the 16th-century Renaissance building that houses the apartment occupied by Osanna, her husband (gallerist Giangalleazo Visconti) and their daughter Madina (a fellow jewellery designer) reveals little about the treasures that lie within. The original frescoed ceilings and walls that bear the patina of passing time pay homage to the home’s rich heritage, while a monumental collection of modern art and furniture from Osanna’s own assemblage, as well as key pieces from prominent Italian designers of the 1950s and ’60s, provide counterpoints to the understated elegance of the setting.
See more: A family creates their dream home in the heart of downtown Milan
Photography: Fabrizio Cicconi | Living Inside