Italy design retreats – the 2026/27 programme
Turin & Piemonte, 11th-15th September 2026: "Finding Your Interior Design Style"
(hosted by Kate Watson-Smyth & guest experts)
Friday 11th September
- Arrival and welcome drinks on the hotel roof – a landmark destination in the city, with views of Turin and the Alps (weather permitting).
- Opportunity to visit the private art collection of the Agnelli family (founders of Fiat), including works by Canaletto, Matisse, Picasso & Modigliani.
- Dinner at a spectacular Michelin Guide-listed restaurant.
Saturday 12th September
- Breakfast at your hotel.
- Cars will bring you to my house for the first workshop – a full tour of all 24 rooms, with opportunity to ask all your renovation questions and see a slideshow of the “befores”.
- Working lunch in the garden.
- Afternoon workshop with expert guest: Stylist Lucy Gough.
- Aperitivi in the garden.
- Dinner at the renowned restaurant next door, a favourite with diners across the city.
- Cars will take you back to your hotel.
Sunday 13th September
- Breakfast at your hotel.
- Cars will bring you to meet me at the Gran Balon, a huge open-air vintage market winding through the streets of the city. With an incredible selection of lighting, art, furniture, and more, you’re sure to find unique pieces to inspire your projects. (It’s located next to the Mercato Centrale Torino – the largest open air market in Europe, with 4,500 sqm of food stalls and grocery shops.)
- Lunch on-the-go in one of the bars or restaurants at the Balon.
- Afternoon free time to explore Turin at your own pace. From artisanal shops to architectural wonders, immerse yourself in the city’s beauty and discover plenty of inspiration for your projects at home.
- Aperitivi at one of Turin’s oldest and most elegant cafés.
- Dinner at a cosy city-centre restaurant.
Monday 14th September
- Breakfast at your hotel.
- Visit to the apartment of Carlo Mollino – Turin's most celebrated architect. A "must-see" design-lovers destination that's famous around the world.
- Cars will bring you to my house for lunch at my local trattoria, with time to explore the village afterwards if you wish.
- Final workshop of the weekend with your second guest: Colour expert Charlotte Cropper.
- Afternoon tea & pastries
- Informal “Design Q&A” session with me.
- Aperitivi in the garden, followed by a selection of pizzas made in the wood-fired pizza oven in my house’s original tavernetta, by our local pizza chefs.
- Cars will take you back to the hotel for the last night.
Tuesday 15th September
- Breakfast at your hotel and check-out.
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Price: £3,850 per person (all-inclusive).
Terms: 25% payable on booking, 50% due 60 days before arrival, 25% due 30 days before arrival.
NB: Travel to Turin and hotel transfers are not included.
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Milan & Lake Como, 7th-11th May 2027: "Italy's Capital City of Design"
(hosted by Kate Watson-Smyth)
Highlights will include:
A private tour of Casa Fornasetti – the home of Barnaba (son of the celebrated surrealist designer, Piero) isn’t open to the public, but I have managed to secure access to this incredible house, which is filled with pieces by Piero. There is so much to inspire and delight here.
A guided tour of the Villa Necchi – this 1930s modernist villa will be familiar to many from the films I Am Love, starring Tilda Swinton, and House of Gucci. Designed by Piero Portaluppi, it’s one of the world’s greatest private homes, with dozens of features and details that will definitely inspire your own.
An exclusive trip to Liberty London’s printing factory near Lake Como, where many of their iconic fabrics are printed. Again, not normally open to the public, but I have obtained an invitation for us to see it in action and learn more about this influential design house.
A design workshop and Q&A with me, aperitivi and dinners at some of Milan’s most gorgeous and fashionable spots – plus a free afternoon to explore the city (and its shopping districts) in your own time.
The cost of this packed design weekend includes hotel accommodation, all meals and drinks, as well as local transport once you are in Milan. All you have to do is get yourself from the airport or station to the hotel.
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Price: £4,200 per person (all-inclusive).
Terms: 25% deposit payable on booking, Balance due 1st April.
NB: Travel to Milan and hotel transfers are not included.
Mad About The House
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