22 Aug 24

Inside Kate’s fabulous new home in Turin, Italy

Any avid listener of my podcast with my dear friend Kate Watson-Smyth, The Great Indoors, will be familiar with the journey she’s shared about fulfilling her 30-year dream of buying a house in Italy. Nestled in the wine-rich Piemonte region near Turin, the villa is a stunning embodiment of Kate’s impeccable style. Now that it’s complete, we can all marvel at the breathtaking result – and trust me, it’s absolutely beautiful!

“I knew as soon as we saw the house that my usual colour palette of muted chocolates, terracottas and pinks wasn’t going to work. This house needed more colour while still remaining true to my muted palette”.

She had been considering a muddy yellow ever since the pandemic, (many of you will recall the podcast episode when, quite unexpectedly, Kate fantasized about a yellow Kitchen!). It never felt quite right for her London home. Here in Italy, however, these gelato tones were perfect.

Bringing the vision to life

To create the look, Kate teamed up with Graphenstone, makers of purifying paint and the world’s most eco-certified brand. They provided her with a colour chart boasting 998 options! She dove in and got to work.

The resulting 12 colours used throughout the house were all inspired by original shades found within the home or the surrounding countryside.

The hallway is where the magic begins. Kate chose a hue called ‘Sole,’ named after the sun.  It’s a gloriously warm yellow that’s like stepping into a pool of sunlight.  What a lovely lift as you walk through these tall double doors – a perfect choice for the space. The entrance hall captures chic Italian style – truly the stuff of dreams!

SWEET INSPIRATION

Move through to one of the bedrooms, you’ll find “Sole” with a soft pink called “Gelato,” which fittingly translates to “ice cream”. This combination was inspired by a set of ground-floor doors that likely began as two shades of cream but have gracefully darkened with age. The previous owners bought the house in 1964, and it seems they didn’t do much decorating after the 1980s! After cleaning the doors, Kate preserved their colours, showcasing how a beautiful piece with a rich history can inspire a modern, timeless design scheme.

Doors on the first floor also inspired some of the greens – “Giardino” (garden) and “Oliva.” Kate used “Giardino” in the summer sitting room on the top floor, paired with Liberty Jade Berry wallpaper. The room, situated right at the top of the house with a view over the valley, features five windows, and Kate’s son fondly calls it “the tree house”. The combination of the colour and wallpaper, and the architectural arched doors creates a truly stunning result!

THE GARDEN EFFECT

Inspired by the fabulous 100-year-old wisteria in the garden, Kate painted the ceiling in the bedroom, dressing room and bathroom in romantic “Lavanda”. The Italian word for wisteria is “Glicine,” which isn’t very pretty, so she opted to name the colour “Lavanda”. Kate used Colefax & Fowler Seraphina wallpaper to complement; a tonal match made in heaven. How perfect is that?!

THE FIFTH WALL

As you may recall from our Podcast, Kate has always said that ceilings are really important! True to her word, all the ceilings in the house are painted in strong colours, elevating the design and creating visual delight! In the bedroom, Kate painted the ceiling in Pink “Ortensia”, named for the hydrangea flowers that grow under the window. Kate said that the Mad Husband nearly fainted when it was first applied! I think you’ll agree it packs a punch in all the best ways. Each room is a love letter to Italian style, but with Kate’s unmistakable twist – a blend of joyous colour and respect for the home’s history.

Fancy seeing the house for yourself?

Kate is opening up her doors for a weekend in October for the most fabulous Italian retreat. You’ll get to learn about the secrets of how Kate transformed the house into an Italian dream and see each room for yourself. You’ll also take part in workshops, and spend time with like-minded people sipping camparis and eating incredible Italian food! What’s not to love?

To find out more about the retreat, and book one of the final places, hop on over to Kate’s Blog here.