Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Marriages and houses

case-buy-06
Today I am transporting you to an  Abbey in Tuscany and an apartment in Florence, both the set for a 2010 Italian movie “Matrimoni e altri disastri” (Marriages and other disasters) starring, among others, Margherita Buy and Marisa Berenson.  It is a comedy talking about a single lady living in Florence  organizing (or trying to…) the wedding of her sister in the parents’ old mansion in the country. Even if the movie may not come to North America (or has it already?) I love to show some beautiful images of those houses filled with antiques, warmth and memories of several lifetimes as European houses often are.
Above is an image of a classic “giardino all’italiana” or classic Italian garden where  the lack of flowers and the 'chiaroscuro' effects are created by sculpted trees and shrubbery, in a geometric pattern, not my favorite I should say but still representing centuries past.

case-buy-02 
Badia a Coltibuono, where part of the movie was shot, is an ancient Abbey from XI century, in the hills of Chianti, recently in part renovated as an Hotel with pool, gardens and acres and acres of land where the owners produce excellent olive oil and wine. Add to this a famous cooking school, wine tasting seminars, a shop where you can find the most delicious and organic products and you got the picture.

case-buy-12 
Eight rooms and three suites are available for clients, as you can see from the images floral patterns, ancient affreschi, antique furniture are decorating these glorious rooms.

case-buy-08
Timeless elegance in the common areas.

case-buy-11
One of the guestrooms with the beauty, acquired through centuries, of the cotto tiles. 

Very different but also fascinating is the movie set in the apartment in Florence. Again this place is in an historic XVI century building which, after the movie,  the shooting actually took place here during renovation, was transformed in the  Hotel Palazzo Guadagni with 15 rooms, elegant common areas and antique furnishing.
case-buy-15
The Hotel reception which in the movie was set as the living room  and on the right a veranda opening to a large terrace. I love the ceiling treatment and the tall doors.

case-buy-05
Margherita Buy walking in a vast corridor filled with chairs, books, art.


case-buy-16 


case-buy-18
Mid century bed and a gorgeous Thonet settee reflected  in a mirrored armoire.


case-buy-04
The Florentine roofs and the Tuscan hills in the background.


case-buy-13
The terrace, or I would call it a loggia,  has a beautiful view over Florence roofs.


case-buy-14
One of the sets of the movie in the  apartment.  If you like to see more of this here is a a video clip
with some scenes from the movie.

I have a fascination to see how set designers work, do you?
 Photography by Simone Martinetto



©2011 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".

If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.
I love to hear from you!

14 comments:

Love Design Company said...

This is a great post. I think set design would be the most interesting part of being in the film industry. I am happy to have stumbled upon your work and look forward to following you!
Lindsay

conn said...

Beautiful photos and places

The Editor said...

Now I really want to see this movie - English subs I hope! Cheers, Peg

peggy braswell said...

Hi...greeting from UK-here working on project. Love this post! Was in another life a stylist/set designer.
love to you...xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

mary said...

I love the sets--but the short for the movie was fantastic--prompts me to remember bits of Italian from college. Thanks and have a super week-end.
Mary

The enchanted home said...

What a wonderful and inspiringly beautiful post! Every image brought me back to another by gone era.....gorgeous! There is very little in Italy to not totally fall in love with and just seeing these pictures makes me want to return soon.....lovely blog, willb be back. Please visit me too at my newish blog, www.theenchatnedhome.blogspot.com

Its about the building of our new home and my love for decor/design. Take care!

Dovecote Decor said...

Loved the post! Drop by to see our fabulous imported French Basketeer Giveaway. To quote Andrea plastic bags are “so passé!”
Best,
Liz

quintessence said...

I love both these beautiful locations - and how handy that we can now stay there!! I've always loved Badia a Coltibuono - both oil and wine- just might have to go on the bucket list. And will check out the trailer - will have to see it with my sister who speaks Italian!!

Anonymous said...

gorgeous place to be right now...we just got 16 inches of snow last week and it's here for awhile...would love to be somewhere warm....beautiful images...
maureen

Design Elements said...

beautiful! happy weekend

Maria Killam said...

Love the first image! I really need to go to Italy!!
x
Maria

annechovie said...

What a fascinating post, Albarosa. I LOVE those cotto tiles...
Have a great week! xx

Claudia Juestel said...

That abbey is fabulous! Great to know that one can stay there. I must see the movie!

I also am fascinated by the work of set designers, and treat interior design a bit like that. We are creating stage sets for people's lives.

Cheers,

Claudia

P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury said...

These interiors seem very real, little set- and lots of style. Yes, it always fascinates me & we can learn so much there. the corridor shots are beautiful and is that Thonet settee.

 
Clicky Web Analytics