Lola Damstra: elegance, comfort and a passion for design
An economist by day, with a passion for sport and interior design in her free time, Lola Damstra transforms every home into a warm and welcoming retreat. Between Milan, Amsterdam and trips to Brazil in search of iconic designer furniture, she chooses textiles and materials that speak of quality, beauty and comfort, turning every space into a unique sensory experience.
You are originally from the Netherlands, but you live in Milan.
Yes, it has been a long and curious journey. I met my husband in London, where we were colleagues. After five or six years there, we decided to move, but we didn’t know where. Our company has offices in several European cities, but my husband, who studied at Bocconi University, wanted to return to Milan. At first I was a bit sceptical – I thought Rome was the perfect city – but Milan won me over: the atmosphere, the elegance, everything surprised and fascinated me.
How do work and hobbies fit into your typical day?
I’m an economist, so I spend a lot of time working, but whenever I can, I dedicate myself to sport, which I truly love. I enjoy running and I’m training for the Milan Marathon. I’ve run many half marathons – Como, Barcelona, London… and now I feel it’s time to push myself further and complete a full one, even if I don’t feel quite ready yet! I started training in Parco Sempione, but now, for longer distances, I’m exploring the Martesana. It’s not easy to find long, beautiful routes in the city, but that’s part of the fun.
At the same time, I have a strong passion for interior design. In Brazil, my husband’s home country, I love searching for Brazilian design furniture from the 1960s and 1970s. I import some pieces to furnish our home and I also sell a few of them: it’s a parallel activity, but above all a fun hobby.
What does “home” mean to you?
For me, home is a place of warmth and welcome, especially when you work a lot and travel often. Coming home should mean arriving in a place that embraces you, that makes you feel at ease. I like my home to be inviting, with warm colours, natural materials and soft textures. This house is 100 years old, with original stuccoes and details, and I wanted to respect its historical character.
How do you choose the textiles for your home?
For me, quality and touch are what matter most. I love linen, wool, bouclé: they are materials that bring warmth, comfort and elegance. I want fabrics that are beautiful to look at and pleasant to touch.
What does the Lanerossi brand evoke for you?
Lanerossi represents elegance through the quality of its materials. It doesn’t follow seasonal trends: its strength lies in colours, pure wool and the refinement of the fabric. That’s what makes it special.
What is your favourite Lanerossi product?
My favourite is the Lipari bed linen set: elegant, soft and wonderful against the skin. I find it hard to find truly soft sheets, especially because I have sensitive skin, but with Lanerossi I finally did. I want my home to have textiles that welcome you, comfort you and make every moment of relaxation special. Lanerossi products are exactly like that: soft, refined and comfortable.
