Derek C. Blasberg, a journalist specializing in arts and fashion, explores in his new column, The Dispatch, the intimate connection between his two friends Lauren Santo Domingo and Martina Mondadori and the world of great interior designers, François Catroux and Renzo Mongiardino. These two women, iconic figures on the international fashion and design scene, share their experiences of living in residences designed by these masters of interior decoration. This article traces their journey and the lessons they have drawn from their collaboration with these visionaries.
The Legacy of the Masters of Design: Mongiardino and Catroux
Mongiardino and Catroux are two giants of interior design, each with a distinct yet equally influential aesthetic. Renzo Mongiardino, born in Genoa and active in Milan, was renowned for his modern baroque style, where he incorporated historical elements, rich textiles, and trompe-l’oeil illusions. He drew inspiration from theaters and loved playing with faux marble and painted wood to create illusionistic atmospheres. His clients included figures like Gianni Agnelli and Aristotle Onassis, personalities who sought to combine wealth and tradition in their homes.
On the other side, François Catroux, the “king of cool,” offered a more modern and streamlined approach. Born in Algeria, he established himself in Paris with his sophisticated and minimalist style, combining contemporary lines with antique pieces. His work for the international jet set, including the Rothschild family and Greek and Arab princesses, catapulted him to the top of global design. Each of these designers had a unique approach: Mongiardino with his taste for dramatic opulence and Catroux with his vision of refined modernity.
Belonging to a World of Dreams
Martina Mondadori, founder of Cabana Magazine, grew up in a Milan apartment decorated by Mongiardino. Her mother, with whom Mongiardino had a friendly relationship, gave him carte blanche to transform their family apartment into a theatrical space, filled with rich colors and trompe-l’oeil. Mongiardino’s influence shaped Martina’s aesthetic, who today runs a magazine and a brand that advocate a maximalist and eclectic style, drawing inspiration from classic Italian interiors while adding a touch of modernity.
Lauren Santo Domingo, for her part, is the co-founder of Moda Operandi and artistic director of the Tiffany Home collection. After her wedding in 2008, she called upon François Catroux to decorate her Parisian apartment. He brilliantly restored her 18th-century townhouse, bringing a subtle and elegant modernity to it. This space became a true showcase of her sophisticated lifestyle, hosting memorable parties where fashion stars and influential personalities mingled.
Design Lessons Learned Over the Years
Both Lauren and Martina learned valuable design lessons by working with their respective interior architects. Lauren, who at the beginning of her collaboration with Catroux was a newlywed without children, learned the importance of nonchalance and balance in decoration. According to her, a home should not be too “polished”; it must be alive and reflect the people who live in it. Catroux passed on the idea that every space should combine old and modern, a lesson she also applies to her passion for fashion, mixing vintage clothing and contemporary pieces to create unique and timeless looks.
For Martina, Mongiardino’s most valuable teaching was that decorating a home takes time. It is not simply about filling a space with decorative objects, but about creating a warm and welcoming living place, a process that can take years. In her own apartment, the transformation was a long project, with Mongiardino coming in person to show her mother and her friends the final touches, sometimes after evenings spent at La Scala.
The Transformative Power of Design
Martina and Lauren share the conviction that design can truly transform daily life. For Lauren, the process of decorating her home in Paris evolved with her family life. Her favorite room, the living room, is a perfect blend of lounge and nightclub style, ready to host both casual evenings and more formal events. She compares interior design to creating the perfect outfit: it is about finding the balance between old and new to make each space unique and personal.
For Martina, creating Cabana was a way to express her passion for interiors and share her love of art objects and historical furniture. Through her magazine, she not only created a platform to promote an elegant lifestyle, but also succeeded in bringing together a global community of design enthusiasts. The Cabana store in Milan, as well as the book Cabana Anthology, bear witness to this passion and to how Mongiardino’s aesthetic continues to influence her work.
Conclusion
Lauren Santo Domingo and Martina Mondadori live in spaces that reflect not only their love for design, but also their ability to transform these spaces into dynamic and welcoming living places. By collaborating with two of the greatest interior architects of the 20th century, they learned that the secret to a successful interior lies in the balance between tradition and modernity, luxury and simplicity. Their experiences show how design, when done with passion and intention, can truly enrich daily life and create homes that are much more than just places where one lives.
