There is something about design and interior decorating that makes my heart swirl in admiration. Whenever I’m near a magazine stand, I always reach out for the latest copy of Architectural Digest or anything of the sort. There’s no doubt that in choosing the right fabrics, furniture and colour combination, our homes are able to help us better express our own identity.
Just a few months ago while in Bagno Vgnoni, a magnificent town south-east of Siena, I came across two sisters in their thirties, Barbara and Sabrina. We got chatting and they asked me if I wanted to join them for afternoon tea at their B&B La Locanda del Loggiato. The sisters explained that in redecorating their property what mattered most to them was being able to channel their passion for Tuscany while adding an original and personal touch. They thought of the rooms as a blank canvas that needed to come to life by merging ancient Tuscan traditions and the fact that they were romantics at heart. Each of the rooms has a distinctive décor and have been given evocative names such as Romantic, Sky, Fire, Dream, Past and Swallow.
We decide to meet the following day in the stunning Val d’Orcia. I am very curious to see their two farmhouses, Villa Romantica and Villa Pienza. I know how much work is involved in renovating heritage properties and things can go either terribly wrong or as in their case nothing less than perfection. The rooms ooze with coziness and heart warming colors that have a soothing and relaxing effect. I ask them where to shop for vintage fabrics and they recommend that I explore the artisan tradition at the outdoor antique markets where the local people shop. I decide to head-off to Lucca, where an antique market is held every third weekend of the month. I’m going to look out for bronze pills for my kitchen drawers, some vintage linen fabrics and a chandelier to revive my living room.
