• Praiano
  • Amalfi Coast, Italy
  • 1500 sq ft

Colourful refurbishment of a charming Italian villa

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  • Praiano
  • Amalfi Coast, Italy
  • 1500 sq ft

Colourful refurbishment of a charming Italian villa

Deep cerulean waters sparkle under the Mediterranean sun, dramatic coastlines dotted with terracotta-roofed villas cling to cliffs, and tiny chapels are carved into the rock. Sandy coves, striped umbrellas, and yachts bobbing at the shore complete the idyllic scene. Winding hillside roads host rattling vintage Cinquecento cars and street vendors with carts brimming with rugged lemons the size of grapefruits. Amalfi is a feast for the senses—vivid colours, fragrant scents, bold flavours, and vibrant sounds—each moment a lasting memory.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famed for its breathtaking landscapes, romantic history, and simple, flavourful cucina. It’s also home to limoncello, salty anchovies, handmade paper, and Vietri Sul Mare’s iconic ceramics. Vietri, steeped in legend, shares its charm with nearby Atrani, Italy’s smallest municipality, where pastel homes arc around a tiny bay, perched above a sandy beach and colourful fishing boats.

Positano, a crown jewel of the coast, has long inspired composers and filmmakers. Its cinematic beauty inspired Patricia Highsmith’s fictional Mongibello in The Talented Mr. Ripley. Yet, a few miles east along the winding “road of a thousand bends” lies Praiano, a quieter fishing village with ancient roots. Here, the Path of the Gods offers divine views of San Luca church, winding streets, and the vast “open sea” that gives Praiano its name. This tranquil haven of just over 2,000 residents is a glimpse into authentic Amalfi life.

It was within this tranquil backdrop of Praiano, that we undertook this ambitious refurbishment project; this charming villa perched high in the mountains, originally part of a larger family estate and later divided into three separate residences. Unchanged for years, the property presented us with a unique opportunity to reimagine its potential and transform it into a modern yet characterful retreat.

Managing the project remotely from London, we worked closely with local contractors to overcome the challenges of a mountainside location, logistical constraints, and a language barrier, bringing the vision to life through careful planning and creative problem-solving.

The property required a complete transformation, from replacing outdated plumbing and electrics to improving ventilation, digging up floors and moving walls, a re-imagined layout. Every step came with challenges. Materials had to be transported via donkeys and rubble removal came with huge costs. Unexpected issues arose, like collapsing floors revealing missing structural supports due to neighbouring historical works. This led to negotiations with our neighbour, culminating in a deal where we funded the structural repairs in exchange for running new pipes through their garden to support our newly created master ensuite. Despite such hurdles, we stayed on track completing the project in eight months.

The quality of craftsmanship throughout the renovation was fantastic. The plumbers, electricians, tilers and decorators displayed great attention to detail, which was a relief given our obsession with precision and detailing.

We collaborated with local artisans in Vietri Sul Mare to create the hand-painted ceramic flooring used throughout, while the bespoke raspberry-coloured kitchen was handmade by local craftsmen. We collaborated with Benjamin Moore in London for the unique paint colours used throughout, each room tells its own colour story. The site team initially mocked the vibrant colours, thinking it was an overly ambitious experiment. One painter called it La Casa Arlecchino—the Harlequin House. Every visit, I was met with raised eyebrows and mutterings about how “nobody on the Amalfi Coast would paint like this.”

But as the colours progressed and the interiors came together, their scepticism faded. What started as a joke had become a point of pride for them.

The villa’s interiors are a fusion of vintage treasures and contemporary finds, each piece contributing to the overall narrative of timeless design. The eclectic mix is the result of a journey that began in London, with a stop in Rome to gather the final elements before it all came together on the Coast.

In the vibrant coral living room, a Murano swirl ball pendant light hangs alongside a striking 1950s brass mirror and a 1930s brass and Perspex console table. These pieces, sourced in Rome, now elevate the space with their rich history and character.

The dining room features a bold Murano coloured glass chandelier paired with vintage pink shell wall lights, both discovered in a villa in Capri which then ended up in Rome before heading back home to the Amalfi Coast, bringing a nostalgic yet refined atmosphere and mixing perfectly with the hand painted lava stone dining table we commissioned in Vietri.

For several months, we scoured London’s antique shops to gather special pieces for the villa. In the guest bedroom are a pair of shell bedside tables by the Italian sculptor Giovanni Gariboldi, topped with lime green Val St. Lambert table lamps. Colefax & Fowler blue panther curtains, brings a touch of playful whimsy and an unexpected twist.

In the master bedroom, a pair of Paolo Buffa bedside tables and an original mid-century chest of drawers, refinished in cobalt blue with the addition of the tapering legs. These are complemented by a 1930s brass mirror inlaid with lapis lazuli stones, the bespoke hand-blown blue pendant came from London. Both bedrooms are anchored by hand-crafted traditional iron beds, grounding the space with a sense of craftsmanship and history.

Nearby on the terrace a pair of 1930s Majolica storks look out to the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea beyond and sit happily with the 1960s rattan armchairs adding a textured touch.

We wanted this collection of carefully chosen pieces, gathered from various cities and eras to create an interior that feels timeless but at the same time fun.

Today, the villa stands as a testament to persistence, passion, and the many stories woven into its transformation. The elevated garden frames breathtaking views of the sea, while the terrace beckons for leisurely afternoons, prosecco in hand. Inside, the vibrant interiors embody the essence of the Amalfi Coast, reflecting not only its spirit but also the resilience and determination that brought this project to life. Would we do it all over again? In a heartbeat.

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