House by the Lake: visiting Katerina Fabrizio

Caterina Fabrizio, head of the Dedar family company, transformed the white house of the 1950s in the style of rationalism with the help of bright wallpapers, fabrics and art objects from around the world

Caterina Fabrizio’s house overlooks Lake Como on one side and the hill on the other Brunate.

Photo: ANDREA FERRARI

An absolutely white house built in the fifties forced Caterina Fabrizio to return to the places of her childhood – Lake Como. “It was love at first sight,” the hostess recalls. — After many years in Milan, I could not imagine that I would be able to live on the lake again. But this house, nestled on Brunate Hill, has sunk into my soul. The palm trees swaying steadily against the background of the snow-white facade inspired dreams of a new way of life, where I freely let the children go for a walk, as it happens only in small towns, and every day is filled with a sense of peace and freedom.”

Photo: ANDREA FERRARI

Together with her brother Raffaele, Caterina Fabrizio runs the Dedar company, which their parents founded in 1976. “It was Raffaele who took on the role of architect and gave tangible form to my dream of an open, bright space,” says Katerina. — He carried out a radical restructuring of the house, removing the internal partitions and combining the apartments into a common space, into which the building was divided. We have converted the tower, originally reserved for staircases, into a series of small rooms on three floors.”

The winter garden occupies a room under the roof. Wallpaper Jardin d’osier, Dedar for Hermès. Vintage rattan chairs, designed by Joe Columbo, 1960. The sofa with white linen upholstery is made to order, the pillows are made of silk velvet from Dedar.

Photo: ANDREA FERRARI

“Here I calmly let the children go for a walk, which is possible only in small towns”

The dining area of the living room. Furniture and lamp from Sweden, 1960s. On the far wall is a painting by Rodolfo Arico and a silkscreen by Cy Twombly.

Photo: ANDREA FERRARI

The architectural structure of the fifties was artfully rebuilt, but retained its inherent rationalist style. The staircase now passes through the main part of the room, going under the very roof, where a completely unexpected winter garden is arranged. In contrast to the snow-white rooms, it represents a different universe: the tone is set by wallpaper with a pattern of luxurious jungle and a large terrace overlooking the lake coming out of the room.

A fragment of the living room. A table made of wood and bronze, designed by Angelo Mangiarotti.

Photo: ANDREA FERRARI

In the bathroom: an Italian painting from the 1930s, a Ceramica Flaminia sink, and a custom-made shower cabin.

Photo: ANDREA FERRARI

“My house is like a huge tent of nomads. It is flooded with light from the lake and keeps the memory of travel”

The textile decoration of the house is based on Dedar fabrics. The only exception is Indian duri cotton carpets.

Photo: ANDREA FERRARI

For help in interior design, the hostess turned to her friend, architect Vittorio Locatelli, who, together with Carlo Ninki, founded the London studio Oneroom, associated with interior design, art, fashion and photography. Trusting the expert eye of Vittorio, a hunter of unusual things, Katerina picked up the furniture of the rooms one by one. “It was important for me not just to bring everything collected over the years of traveling around the world to my new home,” says Katerina. — But I also tried to preserve his Italian identity.”

In the living room: modernist furniture, works of art and objects brought from travel. The sofa, for example, was bought in California and upholstered in Alexander mohair velvet from Dedar. Tables, designed by Joe Ponti. On the wall is a painting by Rodolfo Arico. Swedish lamps of the 1960s. Indian duri cotton carpets, the beginning of the XX century.

Photo: ANDREA FERRARI

The building of the 1950s was completely rebuilt, but retained its inherent spirit of rationalism

Guest bedroom. The dark-painted wall contains drawings, photographs and many signed works, including the creations of Lucho Fontana, Enrico Castellani and Robert Rauschenberg. Chair, designed by Charlotte Perrian. Hanging lamp Tobia Scarpa, 1962.

Photo: Andrea Ferrari

As a result, the creations of Joe Ponti (Gio Ponti), Tobia Scarpa (Tobia Scarpa), Ico Parisi (Ico Parisi) side by side with furniture from Northern Europe, nameless French chairs next to the objects of the famous Charlotte Perriand (Charlotte Perriand), Indian duri carpets and oriental figurines of warriors. “In addition to everything, there is an unusual play of light and shadow, which is created by the two-way orientation of the house to the lake and to the hillside—” says Katerina. – The palm trees in the garden and the air of freedom that is breathed here evoke memories of the California West Coast. Sometimes it seems to me that my house is a huge tent of nomads, filled with light from the lake, love of wandering and ease of being.” www.dedar.com