After nearly a month away, I returned to The Studio with a full heart, a sharpened eye, and a deeper appreciation for how truly great design lives: not just in form, but in feeling.

Over the past few weeks, I traveled through Naples, the island of Ischia, Tuscany, Modena, and Florence. It was technically a vacation, but as any designer knows, the observation never really stops. Every step, every space, every plate of food, every hotel lobby or vineyard table became part of a larger creative process.

I came home recharged, not just by what I saw, but by what I felt. And it reminded me why I do what I do.

Design That Moves Through You

Italy has a way of embedding design into everyday life. Not for show. Not for the sake of status. But as something intentional, quiet, and deeply felt.

I was drawn to the details. The texture of stone beneath my feet. The repetition of arches framing long corridors. The layered rhythm of daily life moving through beautiful spaces.

You sense it in the hum of café life on the piazza. In the openness of shopkeepers who treat service like a craft. In the balance of form and function that makes everyday spaces feel generous.

And maybe more than anything, I felt it in the hospitality. Warm. Intentional. Completely natural.

A Moment That Stayed With Me

One afternoon stands out in particular. A private vineyard lunch at Buccelletti in Tuscany, where our group was hosted by the Buccelletti family in celebration of 400 years on their land, from 1625 to 2025.

We dined among the grapevines, enjoying exceptional wine and olive oil pressed just the day before. The food was incredible, but the true standout was the hospitality. It was authentic, generous, and deeply thoughtful.

After the meal, a festive and fiercely competitive grape stomp brought the entire experience to life.

It was a reminder that the best design doesn’t just look good. It makes people feel something. It makes them feel welcome and included.

A Visit to Ferrari: Design Meets Velocity

While in Modena, I spent a day at the Museo Ferrari Maranello, and it left a lasting impression. Of course the cars were beautiful. But what struck me most was the vision behind them.

Enzo Ferrari was committed to pushing the boundaries of performance, innovation, and design. That mindset was visible in every curve, every decision. There was a sense of precision and confidence throughout the space. Everything served a purpose. Everything aligned with a greater story.

The Ferrari brand has been built over the course of a century, yet it still feels cohesive, modern, and forward-thinking. That kind of brand clarity is something I think about constantly when designing both homes and hospitality spaces.

The best spaces don’t just impress in the moment. They hold a point of view. They endure.

Quiet Confidence in Contemporary Design

While in Florence, I visited the Minotti showroom, and it did not disappoint. The space itself was sculptural and serene, with grounded materials, rich textures, and beautifully resolved proportions. Nothing felt overstated. Everything felt essential.

It reminded me how powerful restraint can be. How much clarity speaks through composition.

I also found myself reflecting on other Italian brands I admire such as Bracci, Poliform, and Cattelan Italia. Each one offers a different interpretation of contemporary Italian design, but all are grounded in craftsmanship and spatial intelligence.

The more I experience exceptional design like this, the more it reinforces the values I bring to my own clients. Whether we are working on a private home or a vacation rental, every detail is an opportunity to communicate quality and care.

Where Luxury Meets Lifestyle

Throughout the trip, we stayed in several vacation properties. The most memorable ones didn’t rely on trend or flash. They offered calm, comfort, and personality. They were spaces that supported rest, reflection, and connection.

The best ones struck a balance between modern luxury and local character. They didn’t feel staged. They felt right.

That is the balance I aim to bring to every project at Studio Croft. A home should reflect the people who live in it. A vacation property should elevate the guest experience without ever trying too hard.

The right design doesn't need to shout. It simply welcomes.

What This Means for You

Whether you are creating your forever home or building a vacation property that supports your business, design is not a surface-level decision.

It is strategy. It is storytelling. It is shaping how people feel in a space.

For modern homeowners, it is about expressing your values and creating a space that enhances your lifestyle, day in and day out.

For vacation rental owners, it is about designing experiences that feel refined, memorable, and worth returning to. Spaces that elevate your brand and your bottom line.