Creative consultant and footwear designer Ada Kokosar has furnished her period Milan apartment with favourite items from her time in New York, as well as with striking, colourful pieces sourced from online auctions, Italian designers and international artists
Words BECKY DONALDSON
For Ada Kokosar, fashion and interiors “speak the same language” – and the stylist, consultant and founder of shoe brand Midnight 00, has an enthusiastic passion for both. After living in New York for eight years, Ada moved back to her native Milan three years ago to find a home with boyfriend, Saverio Schiano Lomoriello. While she was still travelling between the two cities Ada happened upon a listing of what looked like the perfect apartment, located in vibrant Porta Venezia. Saverio wasn’t available on the day she booked a viewing so she went alone and instantly fell in love with the 80-square-metre terrace, a rarity in central Milan. “I sent him a video and we took it right away,” she enthuses.
As well as the alluring terrace, the apartment’s location was ideal. It is directly adjacent to Indro Montanelli Garden, a major historic park in Milan, where the couple walk their “big dog” Lana; and there is also an abundance of clubs, bars and restaurants. “It’s known as ‘the rainbow area’ and it is very cool with a lot of energy,” she tells us.
Ada also fell for the apartment’s many authentic 50s features. “All the details are very beautiful,” she says of the marble hallway tiles, geometric parquet flooring in the living room, wood-panelled cladding, glass-panelled doors and shiny black bathroom with original fixtures and fittings.
“Basically, all we needed to do was paint colours on some of the walls. And then, of course, there was this huge terrace, so I needed to buy lots of plants – that was the biggest job I had to do.”
Much of the furniture was shipped from the modern loft space Ada had previously rented in Tribeca – including a brass and chrome coffee table by designer and sculptor Paul Evans. “It’s one of my favourite pieces, I bought it from a friend when I was living in New York.
“It was quite an expense, I had really invested in the piece so, when I moved to Milan, I wanted to bring it with me.” Because of its weight, the shipping was very expensive. But it was worth it: “I’m very touched to have it because it reminds me of the time I was living in New York.” The piece now sits in the centre of her living room with collectables and ceramics by Fornasetti placed on top.
Ada’s burgeoning collection of furniture and objects
