Lightness of touch How a villa on the edge of Lake Como tells the story of one design dynasty’s deep bond

On the edge of Lake Como, a picturesque villa tells the story of one design dynasty’s deep bond and the unbreakable link between history and innovation

Children run tirelessly in the garden, occasionally taking a dip in the glistening waters of Lake Como to mitigate the fierce heat of summer. There is a holiday feeling in the air in the small, pretty village of Griante, where Alessandro Sarfatti, co-founder of lighting brand Astep, enjoys long, languorous days in the sun with his wife, fellow designer Yasmin Edgecombe, their sons, Isaac and Benjamin, and older daughters, Filippa and Kaisa.

The family is now based mainly in Copenhagen, where Alessandro moved in 2013 before launching his business, but they still feel drawn every year to spend quality time at this villa. Purchased in 1958, it was originally renovated by Alessandro’s grandfather Gino Sarfatti (the famous Italian lighting designer, founder of Arteluce, and mastermind behind many of the pieces reissued by Alessandro’s firm today) and his friend, architect Vittoriano Viganò, a key exponent of Italian brutalism.

Signs of the pair’s inventive approach to the design of this home are visible in the windows, large for that time and placed in a way that cleverly frames the landscape, as well as in the sculptural internal staircase and the exposed iron beams, added to one side of the building to support a terrace that houses a sunny, glass-encased study. Their ingenuity ensures that nothing interrupts the views of the outdoors. Bespoke low sofas, designed especially for the villa by Viganò, maintain sight lines, while an ‘Infinito’ bookcase by Franco Albini breaks up the open-plan living area without halting the path of light through the home.

The furnishings are almost all by great masters of Italian design but, as would be expected, the lights are the true stars here. As well as original lamps by Gino Sarfatti, there are prototypes, re-editions and new products – some by Alessandro and some by his father, lighting brand Luceplan’s founder Riccardo Sarfatti. Everywhere you look, there are pieces that testify to the creative talent and vision that unites three generations of this family.

‘I was the age my son Isaac is now when my father, my mother [Sandra Severi] and Paolo Rizzatto started the Luceplan adventure,’ recalls Alessandro. ‘I remember the choice of the name, their enthusiasm and the energy.’ It’s the same passion that he now channels into Astep in a continuation of this lighting dynasty’s story. ‘This house has a strong emotional and symbolic value for me,’ adds Alessandro. ‘It is, in some ways, the synthesis of my personal and professional history.’ astep.design

‘This house is, in some ways, the synthesis of my personal and professional history’

Breakfast area Separated from the living room by a Franco Albini ‘Infinito’ bookcase for Cassina, this cosy corner features more Harry Bertoia ‘Side’ chairs around another bespoke table designed by Gino Sarfatti and Vittoriano Viganò. Above hangs a ‘SB Cinquantotto’ pendant light designed by Santi & Borachia for Astep in 2019 Study Located in the villa’s greenhouse-like extension, this sunny workspace features tall ‘Paludis’ chairs by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias and a ‘Model 566’ table lamp by Gino Sarfatti, reissued by Astep

Portrait Alessandro Sarfatti and Yasmin Edgecombe work at the dining room table. In front of them is an original ‘Model 548’ lamp by Alessandro’s grandfather Gino Sarfatti – now resissued by Astep

Dining room ‘Costes’ chairs by Philippe Starck for Driade surround a table designed by Gino Sarfatti and Vittoriano Viganò, and made by artisans, especially for this home in the early 1960s. The ‘Model 2065’ wall lamp by Gino Sarfatti – a pendant version is reissued by Astep – looks contemporary against the wood panelling Living room Timeless furnishings tell this family’s relationship with design. The low sofas are bespoke by Vittoriano Viganò, while the ‘ETR’ coffee table is by Charles and Ray Eames for Vitra. A ‘Model 537’ table light by Gino Sarfatti sits on the deep stone windowsill, while two original ‘Model 232’ wall lights by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce frame the view. The floor lamp is the ‘VV Cinquanta’ by Vittoriano Viganò, reissued by Astep. A wooden sculpture-like chair, crafted by African tribespeople and given as a gift to Alessandro’s parents by Paolo Rizzatto, is positioned on the floor beside light, airy curtains fashioned from fishing nets

Patio The living room doors open onto a sunny garden, where a portable ‘Candela’ light by Francisco Gomez Paz for Astep is placed on a bespoke table by Gino Sarfatti and Vittoriano Viganò. The chairs are the ‘Side’ design by Harry Bertoia for Knoll

Balcony Yasmin enjoys a relaxing view, with a ‘Candela’ portable lantern by Francisco Gomez Paz to light her reading as the sun goes down Bedroom Lazy mornings are encouraged by the sight of Lake Como from this ‘Paludis’ bed by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias. To the side sits a ‘Nox’ portable lamp by Alfredo Häberli for Astep and above hangs a ‘Model 2042/6’ or ‘Le Sfere Plafone’ pendant light, part of the ‘Flos with Sarfatti’ capsule collection, a collaboration between Flos and Astep See Stockists page for details