Sicilian traditional tiles as main design theme for new contemporary resort: Verdura Golf & Spa Resort

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Southern Italy, especially Capri and Sicily, is famous for its beautiful ornamented tiles with bright mediterranean colours. Handpainted maioliche have their origin in Mallorca (Spain) and have inspired Italian crafters from Vietri near Naples to Caltagirone in Sicily.


It is kind of obvious to use mediterranean tiles (piastrelle) when renovating or remodelling a house in the South of Italy. Even when building a contemporary house or hotel, one should consider to catch the atmosphere of the location by using local traditional material and patterns in some way.

In a rough Southeastern Sicilian landscape the new Verdura Golf & Spa resort combines contemporary architecture and design with local Sicilian culture and tradition. Interior designer Olga Polizzi found a simple way to retain old customs by interpretating patterns of Sicilian maioliche (tiles) in a modern way throughout the resort :

patterns of piastrelle are remixed in the casual dining area (above and below):


The giant tiles are handmade by a workshop in Caltagirone.
They pick up a local motif of the 18th century that became the decorative theme of the entire resort.

In the lobby, cushion covers and lamp shades pick up parts of the tile's pattern.
Even the webside of the resort is using the theme on its pictures (see above pic left side) like a watermarking.

In the rooms the theme is on bed covers, cushions and lampshades.

On some walls the design of the tiles is stenciled. However, with very restraint colours, like a watermark, to not be too much for the visitors eyes.

I think it is a very clever idea. I might 'copy' this method for some wall decoration in our house. I could re-use some pattern of the few old tiles we inherited with the house. Although they have more a Greek influenced geometrical design than a floral elaboration. Or I am just painting the above red giant extract of a maiolica with acrylic coulour on a wooden board for one of the rooms.
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Source: all photos via Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sciacca, Sicily
owned by Rocco Forte Collection
featured in AD Edizione Italia, March 2010

Project by Flavio Albanese
Interior Design by Olga Polizzi

fridges by smeg

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Who does not know the retro fridges anni 50 style by smeg ?
I see them regulary in magazines, but did not realize that they are not from fleamarkets but actually still in production.

the most fun one for Italy fans


colour panna, 96 cm h x 55 cm l, small fridge including freezer


colour azzurro, 151cm h x 60 cm l, one door fridge with freezer


colour: acqua verde, 168 cm h x 60 cm l, two doors


this is the model we have in mind, colour: blu
however, we need to think about the size and measure again

and then:
We need to think if we really want a blue kitchen with a blue fridge. These two blues will not be exactly the same. So, do we take a blue kitchen with an metallic fridge or with a light green or blue fridge that make a little contrast - or do we order a white kitchen with a blue fridge for contrast ? (The floor will be white wooden panels.)


Blue and blue ? (blu bahama by LUBE and blu by smeg) ?!
Any suggestions ??!? please ?!

Kitchen briefing

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In the last two days we were occupied with the planning of our little kitchen of the mandard.


As the facilities are already installed (water, gas and electricity) after our first plan, I just had to draw a bit with a crayon to visualize for myself where will be what. Not only I ended up with an L-shape kitchen but also with a kind of island to use for breakfast (when wheather conditions would not allow to sit outside). And to have a better feeling for the space I layed wooden panels on the floor and took a picture.

Then we went to a mobili shop in Pizzo (Via Nationale) with our floor plan and my drawings to get quiet fast this plan:

The sink was forseen in the corner (the architects idea) - and the shelf over the sink is a typical Italian kitchen equipment to store the plates while drying after washing (scolapiatti).

While discussing and deciding on details, I browsed some catalogues of modern colourful Italian kitchens:

I like : white mosaic tiles on the wall

I like : the light feel of that kitchen due to the little feet and the open plate shelf

I like : the fresh orange (and little feet and open shelf)

I like : accessories in chrom / steel

After having spent three hours with the kitchen planner (I thought it was less), we went back to the house to measure wheather the fridge would still fit below the beams of the roof.

Here I suddenly figured out that the arrangement of the sink below the window is unconfortable and the window will not open totally (probably not necessary), but somehow, I realised that I do not want an entire kitchen here at the mansard. What I really wanted to avoid, a 'kitchen look', would happen with that plan.

So when CC asked if I am done with the measuring, I told him that I just have changed my mind totally and explained him my new idea: Just one line, a kitchenette, pantry style. And a nice colourful retro smeg fridge on the side!

This morning CC agreed (after doing his thinking during the morning walk). And we went back to the kitchen planner and briefed him with our new idea. This is the result of today:

blue kitchen, blue smeg
no little feet (9 times more expensive then a simple blind)
and one entire steel top by Arniston (not in the drawing above):


This top allows us to have 4 stoves with maximum working space.
(I hope this is not too boring for my readers, but we do need this as a reminder.)

Unfortunately, my stay in Pizzo is soon coming to an end (school holidays are over), but CC is lucky enough to stay another three weeks and continue our work.

Travel: Taormina and Mt. Etna, Sicily

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We are back from a short trip to Sicily. This was my first trip to Sicily ever - and I really enjoyed it. Although in 2 days I only got a very short impression, it worth it. I like Sicily! I like the landscape, the food, the sweets, the marmelade, the wine, the ceramics ...

"Kennst du das Land, wo die Zitronen blühn?" - Goethe

sweets made of marzipan and citrus fruits

typical Sicilian ceramic heads to use as flower pots

But lets start at the beginning: I was impressed how fast we made it to Sicily: starting after breakfast in Pizzo / Vibo Marina, we made it to Taormina easily before lunch (even including a flat tire on the poor "autostrada" that is under re-construction until Reggio Calabria).

Get off the freeway at Villa San Giovanni and take the ferry to Messina. At this time of the year (even it was Easter Holiday also for Italians), there was no queue for the ferry boats that run all the time. It is an about 30 minutes ride through the Strait of Messina (at its narrowest point 3,1 km).


From Messina you reach Taormina after a short drive on the freeway with lots of tunnels. Meanwhile it was noon. But we still had enough time to get a first impression of this pittoresque little city and its narrow and steep aleys. After a typical Sicilian lunch we visited the ancient Greek theater and took lots of pictures of the stunning view of Mt. Etna.


here with sunshine: cartolina da Taormina

During this time of the year the top (about 3.350 m) is still covered by snow. However, you do not need to bring your hiking equipment. You can drive up to a gondola station located in the Southern part of the Etna national park. This will take you until 2.500 meters hight. And if you like, Unimogs take you further up to interesting craters where you can walk with a guide. Even hinking boots and jackets are for rent (and socks for sale). We did not go further then the gondola station as it was quiet windy that day and we were not prepared for temperatures below zero degree Celsius and snow.

Here I am posing next to one of the Unimogs.

There are ski lifts - you can ski on the vulcano during winter !
All the black is lava !

There are around 100 craters - its Europe's largest active vulcano !

So, while in Pizzo, I can recommend even just a 1 day-trip to Taormina, if you do not have too much time and are motorized. If you have more time, spend one night at one of the plenty B&Bs and visit the largest active European vulcano, Mount Etna - it is a must adventure and great fun, especially for kids.