“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.”
Vivacious, glamorous, powerful. Few figures encapsulate the effortless grandeur of the Belle Époque quite like Donna Franca, our Sicilian muse. Famed for her petite frame, thick dark hair and an exquisite fashion sense that has endured for over a century, Franca was the epitome of an era that placed beauty and high fashion at its forefront.
The festive season brings its own kind of sparkle - a flurry of celebrations, feasts, and time with those who matter most. To make gifting simple, we’ve curated a selection of bespoke experiences to delight everyone on your list. From candlelit dinners and Italian wine tastings to tranquil spa escapes and moments devoted to yourself, each experience thoughtfully crafted to offer moments of joy.
In a time when beauty shaped every facet of life — from the curve of a staircase to the vivid bloom of a painted iris — Italy’s Stile Liberty captured the optimism of a new century. Across Europe in the late 19th century, the Belle Époque blurred the line between art and the everyday, celebrating craftsmanship, elegance, and expressive freedom. Now, a new cultural itinerary, From Mucha to Florio, traces that movement between Hotel de la Ville in Rome and Villa Igiea in Palermo, two different cities, two glorious expressions of the same artistic impulse.
