Time and Place travels: Modern design inside old stone walls in Sermoneta, Italy
Lelive bed & breakfast in the hilltop town of Sermoneta, Italy.
No place draws me back again and again as much as Italy. I’ve written about a farm stay in Le Marche, and a former palazzo in Venice. This Summer, after a hectic visit to Rome, I sought refuge one hour away in Sermoneta, a pristine hillside town in the Appenine mountains, seemingly preserved in time. Sermoneta’s limestone houses, narrow cobblestone lanes, and bougainvillea-covered facades offer serenity and beauty. Yet local life is thriving: linger a while, and you’ll see Italian families gathering in the central piazza, children playing ball in tiny squares, and residents lovingly watering plants outside their windows.
My lodging in Sermoneta, at Lelive bed & breakfast, is a destination in itself. The name “live” originates in the dialect term for olives, used by the inhabitants of Sermoneta. Owners Dino Lucchetti, his son Ezio, and their family have impeccably restored a traditional 15th Century house with four tastefully decorated guest rooms. Against a backdrop of preserved stone walls, original niches, and wood beams are starkly modern furnishings, with a penchant for lucite by Kartell, Mid Century Italian design, and iconic 20th Century lighting.
The experience of staying at Lelive is a treat. I booked a restorative massage in the b&b’s stone spa room, enjoyed an Italian breakfast of homemade cakes and marmalade from the local orange grove, and admired views of the cobblestone roofs against the hills. Dino welcomed us to share a bottle of prosecco with fresh figs and local ricotta on his terrace. Nearby Sermoneta, you can visit the Gardens of Ninfa or, if timing works out, join Ezio on his sailboat to the Pontine Islands.
Take a look inside.
The relaxing living room lounge has Mid Century furniture and an Arco floor lamp by Flos, against the backdrop of original stone walls.
The house has highly collectible Italian Mid Century furniture, including a loveseat designed by Guglielmo Ulrich in the1950s. Ulrich was born in Milan in1904 to a noble family of Danish origin, and had a decorated career in the furniture industry.
The “Luce” room offers a sunny window and features design details like Mid Century Italian Tolomeo lamps by Artemide. The shallow wall-length niche in the back wall is uneven, giving all the more character to the space.
The view from the “Luce” room is the best part.
The “Legno” room is characteristic of Sermoneta, with a ceiling of chestnut beams and wooden planks. Kartell lucite lamps on nightstands give a touch of modernity.
Wall niches traditionally took the place of storage in Sermoneta, where houses had very little wood furniture. The “Nicchia” room is simple but centered by an old world niche, which can be lit up for a warm glow at night.
The b&b’s design is understated and minimal. Baths feature sleek fittings, modern designs like Componibili storage units, and stone niches in showers.
The outside areas of the property are more traditionally designed. The small inner courtyard has herbs growing in Italian maiolica planters.
French folding chairs by Fermob on the upper story terrace, where Dino hosts guests with a bottle of prosecco and fresh figs.
The dining area is in the center of the house. An old wood table is surrounded by lucite Ghost chairs designed by Phillipe Starck. The hole on the right side of the back wall would have been used as a secrete cache pot to keep valuables, hidden behind a movable rock.
Bright primary colors dot the neutral stone background.
A day at Lelive begins with breakfast served by Muna, the owners’ longtime housekeeper, who came to Italy from Iraq 33 years ago and married an Italian. Muna makes marmalade out of the local oranges.
A carved stone sink, mint green Smeg appliances, and open metal shelving make the house’s small kitchen a feast for the eyes.
Dino oversaw the restoration of the house in 2016. His tasteful approach led to the uncovering of original details in the stone.
Italian stone houses preserve cool air against the intense Summer heat.
Guests can book a professional massage in the house’s spa. The luxury is in the stone setting as much as the treatment.
Just an hour south of Rome, Sermoneta is a pristine gem.
Steal the look
Love the style of Lelive? I’ve assembled a shopping list of furniture and accessories that would fit into the bed & breakfast’s aesthetic: Mid Century Italian design, iconic modern lighting, and funky lucite by Kartell. Click the images to access the links. (This feature is only compatible on a computer screen.)
Bringing global interior design to your own home
Time & Place Interiors is a New York-based design studio specializing in mixing modern, vintage, and global artisan decor. Founder Ksenya Malina introduces handmade global designs to her clients’ homes, lending their spaces sophisticated vibes that reflect their elevated lifestyle. Use the link below to schedule a free 20-minute information call with Ksenya about your design goals:
