Although she lives in Miami, the renowned designer Silvia Tcherassi has felt an affinity for Madrid since opening a boutique there a decade ago.
Just last year, she opened Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid as an international guest designer, and the European capital is buzzing once again as the prestigious biannual event begins this week. Inspired by her love of the city, combined with her design prowess, Silvia recently unveiled her beautiful new apartment in a place that has captured her heart.
Her home in the exclusive Salamanca neighbourhood of Madrid truly speaks in the language of fashion. Pristine white, a nod to the building’s historic architecture, is brought to life with a symphony of lime green and aquamarine, as well as bold splashes of red, gold and blue courtesy of the numerous works of art that Silvia has curated, with her innate perfectionism, to give this home the signature charm that is also the foundation of her style.
Stepping into her world is fascinating, especially when you hear her explain it all herself. Even her collection of books embraces a colour palette that turns the library into a rainbow of blue, pink and violet, mirroring the pieces in her runway collections.
Classicism and modern sophistication, with tastefully selected vintage touches, are the backdrop to her days in Madrid, which are full of joy, hard work and the love of her family.
Silvia, why did you set up home in Madrid?
© MATTIA BETTINELLIand a chandelier by Vico Magistretti
”After I opened my boutique here ten years ago, with the intention of it being a gateway to Europe, I started spending a lot more time in the city. Whenever I was in Milan, Florence or Como, visiting the factories where my fabrics and accessories are made, or in Portugal, meeting a potential supplier, I couldn’t wait to return to Madrid.
”The architecture, the restaurants, the cultural life and, above all, the people of Madrid are unparalleled in Europe.
”I used to stay at the Villa Magna hotel and they made me feel very much at home, but I needed to have a more personal space for my increasingly frequent visits.”
So you settled in the city’s Salamanca district…
© MATTIA BETTINELLI”Yes; I started looking until I found a space with the charm, potential, light and layout I needed in Salamanca. It’s very close to the boutique, which was also important to me.
It’s in a building that dates back to 1825 and is a perfect representation of the architecture of the era.
”It has a spacious layout, highlighted by cornices, columns and discreet accents. It also has the original hardwood floors, which you can see – and hear… As an interior designer, those are all important details for me.”
What can you tell us about the decor?
© MATTIA BETTINELLI”I wanted the home to retain its original character, reflecting its history while incorporating my own personal style. Unlike my other spaces, the colour is bolder here: I worked with a range of citrus hues and neutrals, and the colourful accents flow through the space for a balanced look. I enjoyed every moment of the decorating process.”
Tell us about the art…
© designer Silvia Tcherassi’s madrid homeWorld War reconstruction of Milan
”I’m eclectic by nature and I like to play with contrasts; that’s why there are contemporary art pieces mixed with antiques and mid‐century furniture. I think that type of mix gives spaces more personality.
”There are pieces that belong to my brand’s archive – they were part of a retrospective exhibition held in my honour – and decor from the Tcherassi Hotel in Cartagena.
”I’ve also incorporated pieces made by my mother, Vera, who has always been passionate about art but only recently started creating it herself. She has already participated in her first group exhibition here in Madrid, at the Galería El Museo.
”There is also a drawing by David Manzur, as well as paintings by Maria Teresa Rizzi, small‐format works by Catalina Ortiz, vintage photographs of Milan taken by Arnaldo Chierichetti, sculptures by Nadín Ospina and Ricardo Cárdenas, and a postmodern acrylic work that I acquired in Italy.”
What other elements are key to the decor?
© MATTIA BETTINELLI”The central element in the dining room is the ten‐seater table by Lievore Altherr Molina; it’s a perfect size that emphasises the clean silhouette of the chairs. Above the mid‐century Italian sideboard, which features a painted central panel, are a striking metallic work of art and two Seventies‐era resinobelisks by Pierre Giraudon.
”For the living room, I chose two 1950s Italian chairs from my collection by the architect and designer Erberto Carboni; they’re comfortable and visually light, and go perfectly with the neutral‐toned sofa.
”They contrast with the room’s other pieces, such as the King Costes chairs by Philippe Starck and the contemporary Spanish chairs in the dining room.
© MATTIA BETTINELLI”I also really like the versatility of bar carts. I have a mid‐century brass cart and a postmodern one by Ettore Sottsass, the leading figure of the Memphis movement – it has an incredible colour scheme.
”The original fireplace is crowned by an antique mirror I bought in Milan. Lighting is extremely important to me in terms of functionality and aesthetics, and the highlights include a chandelier by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, and a pair of wall lights by Kazuhide Takahama. I love being surrounded by books: novels and fashion books, of course, but also books about travel and gastronomy.”
You love the art of tablescaping. What type of host are you?
© MATTIA BETTINELLI”I really enjoy designing table settings. I’ve collected pieces from various eras over time and I love to mix and match styles. For tableware, I like antique Minton, vintage Rosenthal and contemporary Bernardaud designs. For this shoot, I chose a limited‐edition set from Vista Alegre, which has an incredible visual appeal.
”As for silverware, I like both Christofle and mother of pearl or Sheffield silver pieces. I’m also fascinated by Moser glassware, but I’m not married to any one brand or style.
”In the same way that I take charge of the menu and cook when I can, I also prefer to do the floral arrangements myself. I wouldn’t say I’m the perfect hostess, but I do think about every little detail, beginning with the guest list– that’s the first step to a great party.
”Recently, I’ve been leaning away from formal dining and more towards a curated selection of appetisers and shared family‐style plates. It makes everything feel more relaxed and achieves what I always strive for in fashion: effortless elegance.”
You work alongside your mother and your daughter. Is it easy to mix family and business?
© MATTIA BETTINELLI”We’re proud to be a family business, where the boundaries between work and family life are seamless because we love what we do. Our lives revolve around fashion, and we like to be constantly creating, exploring and discovering. My daughter and my son grew up in this world, so they don’t know any other way of life. Each had the opportunity to choose their own career and both decided to join us in this adventure.
”We’re in a challenging and competitive industry, but one that has provided us with both success and fulfilment. They’ve witnessed how, with discipline and dedication, dreams can come true and have a real impact.
© MATTIA BETTINELLI”I feel my legacy is in good hands with them. Mauricio came on board to support our growth and Sofía has expanded our fashion language with new materials and products. She never ceases to amaze me with her maturity and her incredible sense of responsibility.
”Mauricio’s wife, Mariel, joined the family over a year ago, but it already feels as though we’ve known each other forever.
”At 82, my mother continues to inspire us: she has an incredible vision and tireless drive. I sometimes say she’s the most modern of us all. She never rests; today, she balances her work at the company with her passion for painting.”
‘I wanted the home to retain its character, reflecting its history while incorporating my style’
What is the essence of Tcherassi?
© MATTIA BETTINELLI”Our essence lies in the pursuit of effortless elegance – purely natural, free from artifice or excess. This philosophy guides our entire creative process, woven together with our signature codes: an artistic approach to colour and texture, the fusion of haute couture techniques with ready-to-wear, and a deep commitment to innovation.
”Our process is highly experimental, which is reflected in the final results. Furthermore, there are values that are very important to us, such as authenticity, transparency and sustainability.
”This blend of elements creates our universe and is what has set us apart since the start. We’ve never lost the ability to surprise –we continue to evolve, yet we remain deeply faithful to our style and who we are.”
Tell us about your latest projects…
© MATTIA BETTINELLI”We are focused on opening in key locations, offering the best of our collections but also exclusive pieces at each boutique. We recently opened in Capri and Palm Beach.
”We’re also continuing to expand product categories, with accessories leading the way. We started with the Sofia handbag, which was very well received. We’ve incorporated new models in our latest collections. Expanding into the world of fragrances and beauty remains a top priority for us.”
What did participating in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid mean to you?
© MATTIA BETTINELLI”Being the first international guest designer invited to the event was a huge honour, not just because it was the 40th anniversary year, but also because Madrid welcomed me so warmly ten years ago, and Spain and its incredible culture have always inspired me. Fashion is a powerful tool for Ibero-American connection.”
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