After Florence, Head to Coppola's Palazzo Margherita

After daydreaming about the Ferragamo family's Lugarno Collection on Friday, I ran across an article from the WSJ Magazine called The Court of Coppola. The story, by Rita Konig, focuses on Francis Ford Coppola's latest and swankiest addition to his collection of global hotels. Called the Palazzo Margherita, the totally renovated 19th century residence is located in Bernalda, a town in Southern Italy. Coppola recruited renowned Parisian interior designer Jacques Grange to lead the restoration project.

Jacques Grange is known for his imaginative, eclectic, multi-dimensional aesthetic. For the palazzo, he dreamed up a "summer palace" theme and created a really unique place that is an exuberant concoction of of history, diverse cultures, colors, and even modern technology (every room has Apple TV and the tile floors are heated). Coppola family members got to have input on the design of their bedrooms which further contributes to the palazzo's residential feel.

In typical European fashion, so many of the finishes and materials used were created or painstakingly restored by hand. Trompe l'oeil, intricate tile work, hand-blown Murano chandeliers, and priceless antiques are everywhere and as a result, it looks like a really special place.

Here are a few of my favorite images from the write-up...

Photo by James Merrell via WSJ Magazine

Photo by James Merrell via WSJ Magazine

Photo by James Merrell via WSJ Magazine

Coppola remarked that the palazzo is about family, eating well, and being together. The history and outstanding design of the place make it the perfect setting for those simple things. I know that I can imagine my family hanging out there and having a pretty fantastic time!

Be sure to click through to the WSJ article because it's full of information about the history of the estate and Coppola's family connection to the region. There are also more photos and details about the different rooms in the palazzo.

What do you think of the Palazzo Margherita? I'd like to see more photos, and of course, check it out in person one day. I've never stayed at a Coppola resort. Have you?

Lungarno Luxury

On my honeymoon I was fortunate enough to stay at the Hotel Lungarno in Florence. I looked it up a few days ago when I was prepping yesterday's post on upholstered beds because I loved the headboard in the room we stayed in. Well, I got sucked into the site and ended up flipping through the photo gallery that showcases every property in the Lungarno Collection.

Here's my husband chillin' on our room's patio overlooking the Ponte Vecchio...

Located in Florence, Rome, and Tuscany, the Lungarno Collection is comprised of luxury hotels, residences and villas, and a yacht. Led by Leonardo Ferragamo (Salvatore's son), each part of the collection was created to reflect Florentine style, culture, taste, creativity, craftsmanship, and passion. Ferragamo enlisted the prowess of famed Florentine architect Michele Bönan (who also designed the J.K. Place Capri) to execute his vision. The properties are unique but they all share a consistent level of taste and comfortable ambience.

I know that when we were at the Lungarno Hotel, it felt beautiful and luxurious but also very warm and inviting, like a home. The common areas had none of the typical grand hotel vapidity or stuffiness to them. All of the details and unique accents in the decor make it seem like you're in someone's living room and that atmosphere is so refreshing when you're in a foreign country. It's one of the few hotels I've stayed in where I wanted to hang out in those areas because it felt like an extension of our room instead of "public territory."

Anyhow, here are some photos of the exquisite properties of the Lungarno Collection...

Hotel Lungarno Lobby Area

This is pretty much what our room looked like. I was crazy about the brass window hardware, the navy-bordered draperies, and the bed...

Hotel Lungarno suite

This bathroom was amazing...some of the other hotels we stayed at in Italy didn't have proper showers and this one was outstanding.

Hotel Lungarno bathroom

Borgo San Jacopo restaurant overlooking the Arno

Bönan used tons of beautifully framed works on paper throughout the Hotel Lungarno...

Lounge Bar Picteau at the Hotel Lungarno

Comfy but sleek library...

Gallery Hotel Art library

The entrance to the Portrait Suites is conveniently located right next to Ferragamo :)

Bönan obviously loves picture lights and I love him for that...

Borgo San Jacopo restaurant

I love the gray wool flannel upholstery and draperies against the creamy white paneled walls...

Borgo San Jacopo restaurant

Continentale room

Those cocktail tables are topped with clocks...

Continentale Sky Bar rooftop

Rooftop terrace at the Continentale

Yoga on the rooftop terrace...sounds amazing, right? Well, gotta say Italian yoga gear is obviously MUCH different than it is in the US! Better pack some Lululemon and a proper mat ;)

Sky bar rooftop at the Contintale

This is so incredible. I could sit out here all night long...

Gallery Hotel Art private terrace

And all day long...

Gallery Hotel Art private terrace

Gallery Hotel Art private terrace

Portrait Suites terrace

Yet another killer view of the Arno...

Continentale Penthouse

Oh yeah, that's a view of the Duomo from the bathroom...

Continentale Penthouse

If this isn't the perfect white, then I don't know what is!

Gallery Hotel Art penthouse

Gallery Hotel Art room

Gallery Hotel Art bathroom

I love the vanity area in this room with the huge tri-panel mirror...

Portrait Suites Bedroom

Villa le Rose

Villa le Rose

Swan sailing yacht

Who wants to go to Italy now?? Have you stayed at any of the Lungarno Collection hotels? If I got to go back, it would be really hard to not stay at the Hotel Lungarno again, however, the terraces that the Continentale and the Gallery Hotel Art both have are seriously tempting. Which would you choose (pretending that money is no object, of course)?

Take Me Away to the J.K. Place Capri

It's cold and dreary in Dallas today and I'm slammed with work and personal stuff, so I'm taking a moment to daydream about being at the JK Place Capri. I know that this hotel has been blogged and published a million times, but I for one, never tire of looking at it.

It was designed by renowned Italian architect Michele Bönan and it is aesthetically exquisite.  In typical Bönan fashion, the interiors and exterior of the JK Place Capri are polished and sophisticated. Not a detail is missed and because of that, the hotel feels like a very well-appointed home. It's decked out with books, art, fresh flowers, monogrammed linens, and bespoke lighting and furnishings. The style is fresh yet still classic, swanky yet still comfortable, and modern yet still traditional. All in all, the JK Place Capri is just spectacular. Take a look...

Common areas in perfect shades of ivory and navy...

Fabulous terrance overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea...

Hands-down, these are some of the best hotel bedrooms EVER...

Love the tailored bed canopies...

Amazing bathroom + view...

Here is JKitchen, the on-site restaurant. Love the beautiful gray wall color, the ivory draperies, the dining chairs, the banquettes, the artwork...pretty much everything!

I could drink prosecco here all night long...

 

This little vignette is a great example of how Bönan creates a home-like atmosphere...

Breathtaking exterior...

Another beautiful ipe pool deck. The ceramic garden stools and lanterns are nice touches too...

So gorgeous, isn't it? Have you ever been to Capri? I have got to get there...asap. Have you ever stayed at a property designed by Michele Bönan? My husband and I stayed the the Lungarno in Florence and it was wonderful. Can't wait to go back there too...Italy is obviously calling my name!