Nestled in a creative quarter of Milan’s university district is Casa Fornasetti – a red-painted, stylish building that’s home to Barnaba Fornasetti, son of the renowned designer Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988), painter, sculptor, interior decorator, engraver of books and creator of more than 11,000 products. This quiet corner of Milan has escaped insensitive development, much to Barnaba’s relief. ‘Buildings here are still low, with gardens,’ he says. ‘We have tree-lined avenues.’
Casa Fornasetti was built in the late 19th century by Barnaba’s grandfather, Pietro Fornasetti, an early importer of typewriters. Barnaba’s father, Piero, was born in the house and Barnaba grew up there, too, in the 1950s, before leaving home to study fine art, ‘edit underground magazines’ and ‘renovate farmhouses’.
‘My childhood was quite lonely,’ Barnaba recalls. ‘I remember playing among…
