On the tranquil shores of Lago di Mergozzo, a lake so discreet it feels like Italy’s best-kept secret, Hilary Belle Walker has created a retreat that reflects her singular approach to style and sustainability. Known for her trailblazing work with BIVIO, Milan’s go-to destination for upscale secondhand fashion, Walker’s home is a master class in deliberate design – an enchanting blend of nostalgia, humor and practicality. Her journey to this idyllic haven began with a moment of serendipity. “I stumbled upon this magical lake in 2010 while sneaking away from a wedding near Lago Maggiore,” she recalls. “Turning a corner, there it was – tiny, quiet and fairy tale-like.” What followed was a seven-year search to find the perfect house, culminating in the discovery of a midcentury treasure in 2018. Instead of chasing trends or gutting its original charm, Walker embraced the home’s history, transforming it into a space that feels both personal and timeless.
Her interiors are a study in contrasts: Vintage ceramics mingle with mustard-yellow blinds, while a palette of green, Bordeaux and gold feels both grounded and whimsical. “There’s no gray or black here,” she declares. Instead, warmth and personality radiate through every choice – a deliberate departure from the uniformity often seen in modern design. Walker’s favorite pieces, from her ex-husband’s great-aunt’s embroidered sheets to market-found tchotchkes, carry stories. “I prioritize things that have a past but aren’t too precious,” she explains. The result? A home that feels alive, playful and profoundly human. Despite its curated feel, Walker downplays the notion of perfection. “It’s not about one single aesthetic,” she says. “It’s a mix – like getting dressed, combining eras and styles keeps things interesting.”
Yet the home’s charm lies in what was preserved – the striking green tile floors, the cozy paneling and even an accordion-style door in the study (a favorite nap spot), where Walker muses, “the feng shui just works.” More than a retreat, her home is an antidote to Milan’s fast-paced lifestyle. “Even a single night there is like a reset,” she shares. Low-tech by design, the house encourages a slower rhythm, with evenings spent spinning records or watching DVDs. The intimate scale of the home – a stark contrast to sprawling American spaces – adds to its coziness. “It’s small but functional and pleasant,” Walker reflects, a nod to Italian ingenuity.
The lakehouse embodies Walker’s ethos: design as a narrative. From its sustainable underpinnings to its nostalgic details, every corner tells a story. It’s an ode to finding beauty in imperfection, championing second chances and creating spaces that resonate with the soul. For Walker, the magic of Mergozzo is enduring.
As with her fashion philosophy, the home is less about chasing trends and more about cherishing the enduring and the meaningful. It’s a reminder that good design isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about the life lived within.
Photography by Helenio Barbetta.
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