An elegant, intimate retreat: where hospitality meets beauty

Rolling hills, lakes and small bodies of water define the natural landscape of the Canavese morainic amphitheatre in Piedmont. Here, at the foot of the mountains close to the Aosta Valley, stands Villa Sardino. Built in the early 1900s in an Art Nouveau style, it has been transformed by Reggio Emilia-based practice Ovre Design into an exclusive hospitality residence focused on well-being and beauty, complemented by a large garden with a swimming pool and private spa. “Our goal was to create an intimate and refined retreat where tranquillity and attention to detail come together in a welcoming, distinctive setting,” explain Giulia Delpiano and Corrado Conti, founders of Ovre Design. “We redesigned the layout of the rooms and oversaw the creative direction and interior design of the guest rooms and spa, while the client handled the pool and garden.” The project stemmed from a desire to reinterpret the villa’s Liberty style in a contemporary vein, reshaping the interiors to evoke a sense of authentic serenity while maintaining a consistent design language that respected the individuality of each space. “While atmosphere, functionality, hospitality and a pursuit of well-being are the essential ingredients of a hospitality project, the overall success of the undertaking lies in blending these aspects skilfully with the context and designing spaces that resonate with the target clientele,” note the architects.

To achieve this, Ovre Design introduced custom furniture, 1920s-inspired decorative wallpaper, and taps and sanitaryware with a revisited classic design, all of which were chosen to create bright, finely detailed interiors. The spa was conceived as an elegant, intimate haven for private relaxation. “When working on historic buildings such as a Liberty villa, it is vital to proceed with respect and awareness, establishing a dialogue between the new and the existing architecture,” the architects explain. Their approach focused on creating authentic, memorable experiences while safeguarding the villa’s identity and original character. This led to the use of custom furnishings and durable, functional materials suited to a hospitality context, creating a refined blend of contemporary taste with echoes of Art Deco. “From the choice of finishes, especially in the bathrooms, to the accessories, every detail was selected to maintain a connection with the villa’s historic fabric,” they add.

This philosophy is reflected in the bathrooms and spa – complete with Turkish bath, sauna and whirlpool – where the architects chose the Flauti collection from Ceramica Vogue and Pastelli mosaics from Appiani, both Bardelli Group brands, in a deep blue shade. Flauti, with its glossy surface alternating convex and flat elements, creates shifting plays of light and shadow that give the impression of a three-dimensional surface in constant motion. Pastelli, a full-body porcelain stoneware mosaic, was used for the surfaces in the whirlpool and Turkish bath, where its technical performance makes it ideal for humid environments and its texture enhances its refined, authentic decorative power – exactly what was required at Villa Sardino.