A boutique hotel that has preserved the spirit of Italian antiquity

Set designer and designer Elena Lopz bought a Sicilian estate and set up a hotel in it. And during the pandemic, when hotels in Italy were closed, she settled here with her family herself and does not want to leave this paradise!

Бутик-отель, сохранивший дух итальянской старины

Terrace. Black chairs Roy, Vincent Sheppard. Wooden tables, Atmosphere, Umbrella, Kettal.

Photo
Mattia Aquila

Masseria is how Italians call villas built in the XVI—XIX centuries “farmers” — local aristocrats who wanted to multiply their wealth by producing wine, oil and other typically Mediterranean products. After seeing one of these masseries, Dimora delle Balze, located between the cities of Noto and Syracuse in Sicily, the set designer and designer Elena Lops realized that this was the place she was looking for to make the hotel of her dreams.

Бутик-отель, сохранивший дух итальянской старины

A fragment of the terrace. Tables, Atmosphere, poufs, Paola Lenti. Wall lamps, Lum’art. The sculptural chair in the foreground is the work of Yoda by Filipino designer Kenneth Kobonpyu.

Photo
Mattia Aquila

To implement her plans, she attracted her friends — designer Draga Obradovic and architect Stefano Guidotti. The task was not easy: the complex of buildings built in 1800 has been abandoned for the last half century. The ancient walls and columns were surprisingly well preserved, and they were preserved to stop further destruction, but to preserve the authentic appearance.

Бутик-отель, сохранивший дух итальянской старины

Smile sofa and Otto pouf, Paola Lenti. In the background — decorative pillows, Silvia Zoppini.

Photo
Mattia Aquila

Бутик-отель, сохранивший дух итальянской старины

One of the 12 rooms can be accessed directly from the garden. The vintage armchair in the foreground was brought from Portugal and, like most of the antique items in the boutique hotel, was restored by designer Draga Obradovich.

Photo
Mattia Aquila

The former stables became rooms and a breakfast room, the floor of the main house was decorated with handmade mosaics from Morocco, and the only miraculously surviving fireplace became a prototype for everyone else. A modern detail that emphasizes the antiquity is the lamps designed by Luka Turrini (Luka Turrini).

Бутик-отель, сохранивший дух итальянской старины

A wrought-iron sofa and sconces above it were found at flea markets in the neighboring town of Noto.

Photo
Mattia Aquila

Бутик-отель, сохранивший дух итальянской старины

A fragment of the number. PioPio shelving, Antonio Shortino design for Diamantini & Domeniconi, sofa, Zoppini Salotti, Bonaparte armchair by Gubi, Cirio lamp, Anthony Arola design for Santa & Cole.

Photo
Mattia Aquila

Бутик-отель, сохранивший дух итальянской старины

A fragment of the number. There are Moroccan decorative plates on the wall. String Light lamp, designed by Michael Anastasiades for Flos.

Photo
Mattia Aquila

The garden surrounding the boutique hotel almost imperceptibly turns into olive groves, which occupy 27 hectares. The final touch that completes the work is a tribute that Elena Lopz paid to the most famous Sicilians: 12 hotel rooms are named after them, none of which is similar to the other.

Бутик-отель, сохранивший дух итальянской старины

Neither number is like the other. In this bedroom, for example, the main color is gold. The headboard of the bed, designed by Draga Obradovich, upholstered in fabric, Dedar. Mirror, Gubi.

Photo
Mattia Aquila

Бутик-отель, сохранивший дух итальянской старины

Around the table is Resin, designed by Draghi Obradovich, a collection of chairs: vintage, upholstered in Dedar fabric, Short Cuts designed by Draghi Obradovich, and Jules, designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune for Arflex.

Photo
Mattia Aquila

Бутик-отель, сохранивший дух итальянской старины

On the wall is the work of the Renaissance artist Antonello da Messina, after whom this room is named. Chandelier, antiques, armchair upholstered in Tabularasa, Dedar fabric. Curtains, Chez Moi.

Photo
Mattia Aquila

Бутик-отель, сохранивший дух итальянской старины

One of the walls in the bathroom is lined with Moroccan tiles. Bath and sink, Duravit.

Photo
Mattia Aquila

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