Found Luxury in Italy: Observed

Il Mestolo: A Masterclass in Found Luxury

We were staying at this house in northern Italy. Coincidentally, my perspective on Found Luxury had just appeared in Homes & Gardens. Living in these rooms, I realized the house was a better illustration of the concept than anything I could have written.

Nothing matched in any conventional sense. Furnishings shifted styles, eras, and continents. Walls carried patches instead of perfection. Tools hung like sculpture. Surfaces were layered with objects chosen for use, memory, or meaning. Patina was part of the palette.

The house had a kind of Barnes Foundation intentionality, but with an unmistakable Italian history and casualness. The imperfections were what made it feel alive. These rooms were a reminder that personality is often what makes a home timeless. When a space evolves more slowly, the objects within it tend to earn their place.

This is both the joy and discipline of designing interiors for clients, particularly in a new build or fresh renovation. It requires understanding not only how they want a home to look, but how they want to live. Creating spaces that feel collected rather than just decorated. The best designs improve with age.

In this reel:

These are the moments where the light was aglow and the home seemed to hum.
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