Renzo Mongiardino (1916-1998) was one of the most sought-after interior designers of the jet society in the 1960s and 1970s. Raised in a Baroque palace in Genoa, he was passionate about ancient Greece and Rome, the splendor of Byzantium, and the grandeur of the Italian Renaissance. He did not hesitate to go against the prevailing minimalism of his time to establish a distinctive aesthetic that opened the doors to the homes of Europe's most demanding and wealthy individuals. Gianni Agnelli, Valentino Garavani, Giancarlo Giammetti, Aristotle Onassis, Lee Radziwill, Marie-Hélène and Guy de Rothschild, Jil Sander, Gianni Versace, are among the personalities who entrusted him with their homes, for whom he designed sumptuous interiors. He also applied his lyrical vision to the creation of stage and film sets, collaborating with Peter Hall, Gian Carlo Menotti, Raymond Rouleau, and Franco Zeffirelli. Laure Verchère takes us here on a journey to discover, understand, and appreciate this fabulous "creator of stage designs," exploring his major influences and references. Architects Roberto Peregalli and Laura Sartori Rimini write a preface in tribute to the one who continues to influence their work, while Francesca Simone provides an unprecedented account of her grandfather. This book is a vibrant tribute to a man of talent and great quality, who loved both dreams and craftsmanship.