Nestled within the sun-drenched Apulian countryside, La Marchesina stands as a testament to ‘quiet luxury,’ seamlessly blending contemporary design with the timeless allure of ancient masserie. The Villa, recently hosting international dignitaries, embodies a haven of sophisticated intimacy, discreet elegance, and a deep connection to the land.
Artisanal Collaboration
Central to La Marchesina’s unique character is the exquisite craftsmanship of Il Bronzetto. The Florentine artisan workshop, renowned for its bespoke creations, collaborated with architect Graziana Calabrese to infuse the villa with custom-designed elements that echo the spirit of Puglia. From sculptural brass lighting to intricately detailed door handles, Il Bronzetto’s work elevates the villa’s spaces into veritable works of art, masterfully marrying contemporary design with the timeless beauty of ancient traditions.
This collaborative effort, a high expression of the ‘quiet luxury’ style trend, showcases both Il Bronzetto’s ability to create bespoke pieces and architect Graziana Calabrese’s visionary approach to harmonizing contemporary aesthetics with the enduring charm of ancient beauty, concretely defining the established trend of understated elegance in interior design, characterized by uniqueness, quality, and sobriety.
The Apulian Setting
In the heart of the Apulian countryside, amidst the wild olive groves of Contrada Coccaro and the scenic Savelletri coast, lies a magical setting. Just moments from the historic city of Fasano, renowned for its luxurious amenities and ancient masserie, a new modern structure emerges, paying homage to traditional architecture. Notably, during the G7 summit in June 2024, the delegation of the United Arab Emirates was hosted within its walls.
La Marchesina: A Study in Refinement
Encompassing 600sqm, the villa features five luxurious suites, each with a private bathroom, three kitchens, a terrace with a whirlpool, a gym, a loggia, and a garden replete with a citrus grove and vegetable garden. A spacious swimming pool with a solarium completes the idyllic setting.
Embodying the essence of ‘quiet luxury,’ the project showcases meticulous attention to detail. Every decorative element and material has been carefully selected for its quality, beauty, and ability to create a sophisticated yet welcoming ambiance.
The interplay of natural materials and refined details cultivates an environment of subtle luxury, fostering a sense of discreet elegance and intimate sophistication.
Architect Graziana Calabrese prioritized the client’s vision, curating an exclusive experience through bespoke design and the creation of unique, market-unavailable pieces.
To personalize the villa’s spaces, the designer collaborated with the Florentine artisan workshop Il Bronzetto, crafting a series of furnishings and decorations that resonate with the spirit of Puglia, evoking its rich traditions and timeless charm.
A recurring theme throughout the project is the deliberate juxtaposition of clean, minimalist lines and light palettes with the dramatic contrast of striking sculptures in dark hues and intricate textures.
With this commission, Il Bronzetto further demonstrates its affinity for art and artisanal mastery. For La Marchesina, the company conceived exceptional artifacts, including sculptural sconces in raised and patinated brass for the hall’s niches.
Interior Design: Harmony and Contrast
Spatial Organization
The villa unfolds linearly, with the living quarters on one side and the sleeping accommodations on the other.
Entrance and Living Spaces
The luminous entrance hall, centrally positioned, features a striking brass niche housing a sculptural wooden trunk, creating a captivating contrast with the surrounding darker, rustic cabinetry.
The entrance seamlessly transitions into the expansive, light-filled living room, framed by grand French doors that overlook the ancient olive groves. This multifunctional space offers a tranquil haven for relaxation and reading, illuminated by the warm glow of classic floor lamps from Il Bronzetto’s Studio line.
The natural brass finish of these lamps harmonizes with the soft, neutral tones of the upholstery, while the larger floor lamps, crafted in dark burnished brass with milk-colored satin glass, add a touch of refined drama.
The open kitchen, defined by its gently curved recesses and columns, is subtly separated from the living area by a decorative-functional archway. Within, luminous niches featuring sea foam-inspired patinated brass wall sconces, designed by Il Bronzetto, punctuate the pristine white canvas. The kitchen’s monochromatic palette is subtly disrupted by bespoke dark burnished brass fittings and handles, also crafted by Il Bronzetto. A monolithic stone island, echoing the fireplace, is carved from blocks of Pietra di Trani, meticulously selected from the quarry’s edge, where the stone naturally fractures, creating sculptural forms.
Numerous refined details accentuate the almost ethereal white and soft hues of the living spaces, including the dining room chandelier, a collaborative creation with Il Bronzetto. Crafted in burnished brass, it gracefully descends from the ceiling, mimicking the intertwined branches of the venerable olive trees and their precious fruit.
Sleeping Quarters
A smoked glass door opens to the serene sleeping area. A long corridor, where the white lime-washed vaulted ceiling seamlessly integrates all elements, rendering even the doors nearly invisible, were it not for the bespoke door handles, crafted by Il Bronzetto’s artisans. These dark burnished brass handles, each a miniature work of art, evoke the distinctive fruits and flora of Puglia.
Five unique cast brass handles, each representing an element of Puglia—olive, pomegranate, lemon, fig, and carob—serve as the defining features of each of the five suites.
The suites, four of which share a similar layout, feature a spacious alcove and a grand suite with a wrought iron canopy bed.
Each suite is imbued with earthy tones—ochre yellow, terracotta red, sugar paper blue, and olive green. This palette extends to the sophisticated Jacaranda table lamp, crafted from blown glass and brass. (Named in honor of the designer’s godmother, Jacaranda Caracciolo Falk, a modern-day patron who funded the recreation of the lamp’s mold and curated its 16-color RAL palette.)
The master suite is distinguished by its expansive oval countertop, creating an enveloping effect that minimizes direct light, a freestanding bathtub, and walls adorned with large, sun-bleached branches, painted black.
The bathrooms, characterized by their luxurious simplicity, are clad entirely in natural stone, featuring washbasins carved from monolithic stone blocks with rough-cut fronts. Bespoke burnished brass mirrors, with sinuous shapes reminiscent of olive branches, add a final touch of artisanal elegance, courtesy of Il Bronzetto.
Customization: The Art of Bespoke Living
The spaces of La Marchesina, as a whole, transform into veritable works of art, mirroring individual needs, desires, and experiences
Customization permeates every facet of the villa, from the nuanced finishes of the furniture to the meticulously curated furnishings, from the subtle interplay of color tones to the tactile richness of the materials. Bespoke furniture and artisan-crafted chandeliers, commissioned to embody the client’s individual aesthetic, are complemented by carefully selected fabrics and textures, each element contributing to a narrative of unparalleled authenticity.
The pursuit of unique, made-to-measure pieces is an exploratory journey, guided by the understanding that true beauty resides in diversity. This philosophy underpinned architect Graziana Calabrese’s design and realization, supported by Il Bronzetto, a contemporary artisan workshop capable of fulfilling the most intricate requests, seamlessly integrating traditional craftsmanship, professional expertise, and cutting-edge design technologies.
The design ethos is rooted in the harmonious fusion of innovation and tradition, employing locally sourced materials masterfully shaped by skilled artisans, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. The intrinsic materiality of the materials is celebrated, minimizing unnecessary alterations.
A serene palette, designed to foster tranquility and counterbalance the frenetic pace of modern life, combines untreated materials with neutral, monochromatic, and earthy tones. Wood, in all its splendor—from the refined nobility of fine woods to the rustic authenticity of raw timber—offers a spectrum of natural hues, creating a warm and inviting ambiance. Stone, with its cream and beige variations, imbues the space with a sense of solidity and permanence, emphasizing the design’s enduring quality. Metal, particularly iron and brass, introduces a note of contemporary refinement, seamlessly blending tradition with innovation.
Architectural elements—such as arches, vaulted ceilings, and plastered walls—pay homage to Apulian traditions, lending an authentic character to the spaces while harmonizing with the modern furnishings.
Lighting, meticulously planned with floor lamps, artistic chandeliers, and wall sconces, creates focal points and adds a touch of drama. Accessories are thoughtfully selected to avoid visual clutter while maintaining a clean, sophisticated aesthetic. The design reflects a profound sensitivity to the locale, incorporating motifs and materials indigenous to Apulia, such as local ceramics, handcrafted textiles, and wall art that echo the region’s rich history and culture.
The color palette, composed of neutral and earthy tones, fosters warmth and tranquility. Welcoming nuances—butter, ochre yellow, terracotta, and various shades of brown—create a sense of comfort and familiarity. From the subtle lightness of beige to the deep richness of chocolate, these hues provide a cohesive foundation for the furnishings and decorative elements.
This project seamlessly integrates the comfort and functionality of contemporary design with the warm hospitality and simplicity of Apulian traditions, creating spaces that are both elegant and functional, deeply rooted in their geographical and cultural context. This aesthetic embodies discreet and refined luxury, emphasizing quality and design without ostentation, cultivating an atmosphere of sophisticated intimacy.
Architect Graziana Calabrese: A Visionary Approach
Architect’s Profile
Born in Puglia, Graziana Calabrese pursued her architectural studies at the University of Florence. Following a distinguished career working with international design firms, where she specialized in creating luxury hotels, retail spaces, and high-end villas for global clients and prominent hospitality groups, she established her Milan-based studio in 2019 at the age of 30. During her tenure, she also served as an in-house architect and project manager for the Kering Group and Furla, overseeing the development and renovation of their global retail network.
Driven by a passion for interior design and an unwavering attention to detail, she founded her studio, focusing on architecture, design, and art direction. Currently, she has also established Studio Groove, specializing in interior consultancy and art direction for furniture companies. Additionally, she has developed a unique design format for Puglia-inspired villas and continues to work on exclusive residential and hospitality projects.
La Marchesina