Family
Just outside Milan, the historic Fratelli-Rossetti family home, reimagined in color by Giulia Fratelli
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Giulia Rossetti, Marco Laganà, and Felice, 10 months old
There’s the Italy of sun-drenched leisure, immortalized by Slim Aarons in Capri, and then there’s the other Italy — the industrious, creative one born from the post-war industrial revolution, where textile factories and leather workshops shaped a nation. Legnano, a small town just north of Milan, is very much part of the latter. This detail is crucial: here, you step into a temple of timeless Italian elegance (say it in one breath for maximum effect), right in the heart of a family whose success is built on... shoes.
Giulia Rossetti carries the legacy of Fratelli-Rossetti, a legacy so intertwined with her family’s history that it’s hard to imagine one without the other. As she says herself, they are inextricably linked. And they come together here, in this beautiful home just outside Milan, built for her grandparents in the 1970s by Piero Pinto, the interior designer and architect who also created the brand’s iconic logos. It’s a tall order to move into such a soul-filled space decades later without either losing its spirit or falling into nostalgia. But for the young Giulia, who’s built her own brand of jewelry, Giüro, based on the ethos of “a promise of light,” there was never any question of succumbing to the past.
Together with her fiancé, Marco Laganà, and the Milanese antiquarian and decorator Raimondo Garau, Giulia has managed to inject new life into these walls, infusing them with joy, a fertile imagination, and an unapologetic love for color at every turn. Here, old meets new: the original furniture, the grandmother’s wisteria, the petrol-blue kitchen, all coexist with the couple’s fresh touches — olive-green walls, playful ceramics, bold canvases, and cheerful textiles. “Each room is a fragment of our story,” says Giulia, her voice a melodic invitation as she opens the door to her home. Who knows? Perhaps in a few decades, we’ll be asking little Felice the same questions — Felice, the Italian word for happy?
Location
Milan
Author
Elsa Cau
Photos and videos
Constance Gennari, Gautier Billotte
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TSF
Who are you, Giulia?
Giulia
I’m Giulia, GIÜRO, a mother, and almost married.
TSF
What’s your background?
Giulia
I’ve always been passionate about accessories. After attending an artistic high school (an Italian specialty, focused heavily on arts like design, history of art, drawing, sculpture, and painting), I decided to delve deeper by studying jewelry design. After an internship in Paris, I pursued a master’s in high jewelry and watchmaking, which led me to work in the luxury sector. But I felt the need for something lighter, more colorful, and irreverent. So, from the very serious world of haute joaillerie, I transitioned to costume jewelry with Marni, where I had the chance to explore my creativity, before returning to the family business (Rossetti). There, I took on the challenge of focusing on bags and accessories. During the pandemic, my beloved GIÜRO-Land was born — the great passion I’ve never let go of, which, with the creation of my first apina, has led me to where I am today.
TSF
I may be uncultured. What does your apina mean?
Giulia
Not at all, I love that you asked! In Italian, ape means bee. Apina is like a little nickname for a small bee. It became the symbol of my first necklace and, over time, it’s evolved into a little talisman that represents my brand.
TSF
What kind of environment did you grow up in, and how did it shape your taste?
Giulia
I grew up in an environment where beauty, craftsmanship, design, art, and antiques were part of daily life. Attention to detail, sensitivity, and curiosity were passed down to me from a very young age, and over time, I’ve learned to absorb what’s around me like a sponge. Whether through travel, encounters, or objects I come across, I’m always looking to capture inspiration and reinterpret it through my own lens — a process that still defines me today.
TSF
We’re here at your home. Tell us the story of this place.
Giulia
More than just having a story, this house is my story. It was my grandparents’ home, the heart of my family, a place where I’ve breathed in love and beauty since I was little. I have so many memories here; it’s more than just a place — it’s a sensation that’s followed me all my life. Designed by architect Piero Pinto, a great interior designer and close friend of my grandfather, his creative vision is also behind our stores. The house still holds astonishingly modern details to this day: for example, the living room curtains, which disappear into the walls thanks to an ingenious system. The ceiling was even raised to give them a space worthy of them, almost theatrical. We still have the original curtains! There are also the two alcoves in the living room, designed for this very open-plan space, which allows for fluid movement and gives an airy and contemporary feel. Everything here was imagined with a sense of timeless elegance. There’s a true stylistic thread that connects this home to the Rossetti brand, linking our professional and personal lives. It reminds me every day of my family’s history, and I’m proud to live in a true piece of architectural and design history — in a house that’s incredibly functional and filled with soul.
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"Our favorite room is the dining room. It’s incredibly inviting — there’s something about that round table, about the mirrors that reflect fragments of the house without ever directly showing the guests. It creates a gentle depth, a kind of magic."
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TSF
What’s it like living in this family home, wearing an inheritance like that?
Giulia
This is where I grew up, and when I think back to my earliest memories, the film of my life begins at the gate of this courtyard: my father arriving, climbing the stairs, and going upstairs. Today, I walk the same path with Felice. One of my strongest memories is triggered by the scent and sight of the wisteria on the terrace. Every spring when it blooms, I immediately think of my grandparents. I remember my grandmother waving to me from the balcony, the smell of the wisteria in the air — even today, when I see it elsewhere, I’m instantly transported back here. The living room has always been a very warm, welcoming space — large and open, designed to gather with friends, talk, and spend time — without distractions, meaning without a TV (it’s in another room)! There’s even a vinyl player and a full audio system, with speakers and installation designed by my grandfather himself — not to mention a little bar, just for digestifs! Everything was thought out to enjoy the space with others. But our favorite room is the dining room. It’s incredibly welcoming — there’s something about the round table and the mirrors that reflect fragments of the house without ever showing the guests directly. It creates a soft depth, a kind of magic. Since we’ve moved back here, we’ve already hosted many friends, and every time they tell us they feel right at home. That’s the greatest gift this house continues to give us.
TSF
Did you do a lot of renovations when you moved in?
Giulia
Absolutely not! If only we could go back in time… long live the 1970s!
Precisely because this house holds such special value, we chose to bring in the only person we trusted completely to preserve the spirit of the place: our dear friend Raimondo Garau, an antiquarian in Milan since the 1980s. He’s also, in our opinion, a true visionary! He helped us preserve the soul of these spaces, with just a little "twist" of modernity and freshness. For example, Raimondo helped us choose new wall colors that still respected the original atmosphere. We also reupholstered the sofas using the same palette chosen by my grandparents. Finally, Raimondo encouraged us to make certain decisions that, in retrospect, seem essential: to preserve the original wooden furniture in the house, keep the iconic blue of the kitchen as it was, and create nods to these original choices to breathe new life into the old... In short, his support was invaluable. He has worked in all our homes, and each one has its own identity, shaped by his sensitivity and attention to history.
TSF
What kind of atmosphere or style did you want to create here?
Giulia
I’ve always loved that every space Marco and I inhabit really feels like us. An unexpected detail, like a Pink Panther mask found at a market, a framed post-it, or a rug with our initials... each object tells a part of our story. We want the spaces to speak our language, to be personal and unique. Each room is a fragment of our history, a memory to relive — and I can’t wait to share it with Felice!
TSF
Tell us about an object or work you particularly love here.
Giulia
It’s hard to choose just one object, but I think what I love most is the mirror arrangement in the dining room. It’s a piece we live with intensely: we work there, have dinner with friends, play with Felice. The mirrors enlarge the space by reflecting the other rooms, creating a unique sense of continuity. I also love our custom rug with our initials: it started as a drawing, became a pendant, and then a rug we walk on every day — one that Felice will soon cross in his first steps.
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"More than just having a story, this house is my story. It belonged to my grandparents, it was the heart of my family — a place where I’ve breathed in love and beauty since I was a child."
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TSF
What are your current or upcoming projects?
Giulia
Above all, our wedding! We can’t wait to make this dream come true. Since Felice’s arrival, every day is a new life project, which gives me incredible energy. What I love most about GIÜRO is the freedom to express myself through creativity — from jewelry to rugs, objects to projects. Each experience enriches me, and every day I’m excited to spark new ideas.
TSF
What are your favorite pieces from The Socialite Family collection?
Giulia
I’m a huge fan of stripes, so when I saw the Rotondo armchair with its blue and burgundy stripes, I immediately imagined it in Felice’s room: the colors remind me of the carpet, and it makes me think of a shirt of Marco’s that I love. I can already picture myself sitting there, telling him stories to help him fall asleep!
TSF
What are your favorite local spots?
Giulia
Sole di Ranco, by the lake: our special refuge when we’re in the countryside. In Milan, our must-visits are La Latteria for its simple and delicious dishes, Mandarin 2 for authentic Asian flavors, and Massimo’s gelato — a must-stop every time we’re in the city!
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