Milan’s Salone del Mobile: Versace Home 2009

One thing that can certainly be said of Versace is that the iconic fashion house has stayed true to its roots through every venture, despite changes in trends, the economy, and creative direction. So it was no surprise that the home design team turned back the clock when tackling the direction of this year's fall collection. According to team member Laura Varani, the current collection is made up primarily of pieces "renewed from past collections, updated for today," which is certainly not to say they've run out of ideas. The aesthetic of the collection runs the gamut, from quintessentially Italian, classic pieces to pure modernity, with even a little macabre thrown in -- though much of it seemed like scaled-up dollhouse furniture. Pieces once considered too darling for actual living settings (think silver rococo couches with billowy pink cushions) beckoned to be sat upon, and in their "real life" size, made perfect sense.

Those loyal to Versace’s legacy as a fashion groundbreaker will especially appreciate the lead role the spring/summer 09 collection took in the home line. Several tables, chairs, and wall accents spoke softly of the pastel palettes Donatella’s been sending down the runway, and fans of the collaboration with artist Julie Verhoeven, who provided the bold graphics for several active-wear pieces of the same collection, won’t be disappointed by the colorful upholstery she provided for several couches as well as yielding three-dimensional wall art that sung of both Duchamp and kindergarten collages.

The remaining pieces were like a fantastic trip through the twilight zone—all sorts of random concepts thrown together that tickled the eyes and gave the collection its edge. A pleated silver divan inspired by a dress, a yellow leather chair with polka dot frame that looked like a cartoon chair Jessica Rabbit would sit on, and the most entrancing black resin cobra, its glittery red eyes suggesting, “yeah, Versace’s still got it.”