A new season brings fresh inspiration, not just for our wardrobes but for our homes as well.
This autumn, look to Italy’s most thoughtfully designed hotels for ideas worth bringing home, from the interplay of historic details and contemporary furnishings to the colours, textures and objects that give a space its character. Across four distinctive addresses, from a Renaissance monastery above Florence to a cinematic palazzo in Rome, discover the interiors and design details that make a lasting impression.
Layer colour like a film set – Palazzo Talìa, Rome
It’s fitting that Palazzo Talìa feels cinematic. Iconic design, cultural heritage and a unique cocktail bar, all contribute to an immersive stay. Behind an unassuming Renaissance façade, Palazzo Talìa offers a different perspective on Rome. Housed in a 16th-century palazzo just moments from the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, the hotel pairs the grandeur of its historic surroundings with the distinctive vision of filmmaker Luca Guadagnino and his interiors studio.
Inside, frescoed ceilings, sculptural furnishings and richly patterned carpets create an atmosphere that feels at once theatrical and lived-in. The 25 individually designed rooms and suites offer a quieter contrast, overlooking the palazzo’s leafy courtyard or the rooftops of Rome. Downstairs, Bar della Musa sets the scene for an aperitivo beneath intricate frescoes, while Tramae serves Italian cuisine in a dining room that balances classic elegance with a contemporary edge. More than a place to stay, Palazzo Talìa is an invitation to experience Rome through its interiors, its rituals and its slower moments.
Bring it home: Think of your rooms as scenes rather than sets. Let each space reveal itself gradually, with one dramatic moment, such as a statement rug, a painted ceiling or an extraordinary light, and build the palette around it. Palazzo Talìa’s lighting comes from Italian masters like Fontana Arte and the Venetian glassmakers Simone Cenedese and Micheluzzi. A single piece of handmade glass lighting can change the mood of an entire room.
Soften period features with modern comfort – Corinthia Rome
Housed in the former headquarters of the Bank of Italy, Corinthia Rome brings new life to a monumental building designed by Marcello Piacentini. The interiors draw on the idea of a palazzo shaped over generations, where historic architecture meets a more contemporary approach to living.
Original marble panelling, frescoes and intricately carved woodwork set the tone, complemented by refined furnishings, tactile materials and carefully considered details. Rather than treating the building as a museum, the design allows its grand architectural features to sit naturally alongside contemporary layers, creating spaces that feel both elegant and lived-in. Even the former bank vault has been given a new purpose as a spa inspired by ancient Roman bathing rituals – an understated meeting of history, craftsmanship and modern hospitality.
Bring it home: Honour original features, from cornicing to parquet floors, by pairing them with contemporary furnishings, tactile fabrics and a soft palette. Let old and new sit comfortably together, creating a home that feels lived-in, not preserved.
Build your palette from natural materials – Villa San Michele, Florence
Nestled in the Tuscan hills of Fiesole, Villa San Michele is a former 15th-century Franciscan monastery. Its terraced gardens, slender cypress trees and lush blooms frame sweeping views over Florence, setting the tone for a stay defined by a sense of calm and understated elegance. Following an 18-month restoration by Luigi Fragola Architects, the interiors balance Renaissance heritage with a renewed appreciation for Tuscan craftsmanship. Restored frescoes, antique furnishings and bespoke pieces sit alongside exposed stone, lime-washed walls and terracotta, allowing the building’s history to remain at the forefront.
Across the terraced gardens, rooms draw inspiration from the surrounding landscape, with Impruneta terracotta floors, green-veined Cipollino marble and carefully selected artworks lending each space a distinct sense of place. Three signature suites offer their own interpretations of the villa’s heritage: Limonaia evokes the atmosphere of an art collector’s home, Botanica takes inspiration from the historic gardens, while Grand Tour celebrates the spirit of cultural discovery in a suite once occupied by Napoleon Bonaparte.
Bring it home: Take inspiration from your surroundings, whether it’s a garden, a stretch of sea or a city skyline, and incorporate natural materials such as stone, terracotta, linen and wood. When a home reflects its surroundings, the result feels effortlessly harmonious.
Design around the rituals of living – La Réserve Firenze, Florence
Set within a 15th-century palazzo in Florence’s artisan Oltrarno district, La Réserve Firenze brings the intimacy of a private residence to the heart of the city. Acquired by Olivia and Grégory Marciano in 2022 and restored in collaboration with interior design duo Gilles & Boissier, the palazzo houses six private apartments, each designed to feel like an elegant Florentine home.
The interiors balance Renaissance grandeur with a more understated contemporary sensibility. Original frescoes and historic architectural details meet natural materials, carefully sourced artworks and refined furnishings, creating spaces that feel personal rather than formal. Beyond the apartments, a library, rooftop terrace and discreet courtesy bar extend the feeling of a private residence, inviting guests to experience Florence at their own pace.
Bring it home: Design around the way you live, from a welcoming dining table to a well-loved reading corner. Leave room for a little surprise, whether it’s a tucked-away bar or a quiet nook for guests to discover.
