“Nowadays hotels are more like homes and homes are often more like hotels,” explains Rocco Forte Hotels’ Director of Design, Olga Polizzi. “When I’m designing, I always think about things personally – what would I want in a room?” If you’re looking to transform your home, here, the interior design expert shares her simple tips on how to recreate the elegant atmosphere in her own home.
1. Books of short stories: “I have lots of these at home and like to leave them lying around for visitors to discover and flick through. They add character and personality. Many of our hotel rooms feature books for guests to pick up and enjoy, especially Brown’s, which has a long literary heritage.”
2 Good shelving and storage: “At home, I want to find things straight away and have everything nicely presented, so quality shelving and storage is essential. Declutter as much as you can and pick something practical yet stylish, whether that’s an antique piece or something more modern.”
3 A show-stopping piece of art or sculpture: “A statement piece of art makes a great focal point of the room and will create atmosphere and drama. My house is eclectic as I have collections of pictures and sculptures as well as objects and paintings from my parents’ house.”
4 Mirrors: “Mirrors are a wonderful way of adding glamour to a room, and of course they create the impression of space too. I don’t think you can have too many.”
5 Magnifying glasses: “Decorative and practical, I love magnifying glasses. They’re useful for when I’m designing and look intriguing, lending a sense of antiquity to a room. You can source beautiful vintage ornamental ones as well.”
Agrigento’s roots run as deep as the gnarled olive trees that dot its landscape, stretching back over 2,500 years to its founding as Akragas, one of the greatest cities of the ancient Greek world. Set against a breathtaking coastline, this once thriving cultural and political hub was praised by the Greek poet Pindar as “the most beautiful city of mortals”. Today, this splendour is immortalised in the Valley of the Temples.
Verdura Resort is home to two of Europe’s finest championship links courses, where rolling fairways and manicured greens stretch to the rugged shores of southern Sicily. Designed by acclaimed golf architect Kyle Phillips, these courses embrace the island’s dramatic beauty, offering sweeping Mediterranean views and an exhilarating golfing experience. Now, with an ambitious investment programme enhancing every element of play, the resort welcomes a new season of golf.
In 1925, a world still shell-shocked from the ravages of World War I found renewal in a burgeoning artistic movement: Art Deco. It reflected motion, progress, the future. Immediately embraced by famed Belgian architect Victor Horta, he laid the foundations for Art Deco in Brussels with his plans for the Centre of Fine Arts (Bozar). This marked the inception of a radically modern approach to architecture and art in the city. Now, as Brussels marks a century of Art Deco style, it’s the perfect time to explore this distinctly walkable city with your own budding artists.
