About – Kate Watson-Smyth

Welcome to Villa Celestino, my home in Italy

In the spring of 2023 I bought a run-down 18th-Century villa in a village outside Turin, in Piemonte, northern Italy, and spent the best part of a year renovating, restoring, and redecorating. Then in autumn 2024 I opened the doors for my first weekend retreats – inviting like-minded people to learn more about interior design, meet new friends, and explore, while enjoying the incredible food and wine this region has to offer.

Since then, I've welcomed guests from all over the world – from Singapore to Surrey, Seattle to Sydney. Together we've dined in some of the city's most elegant restaurants and cafés, explored the historic streets of this former capital of Italy and plunged into its famous vintage markets to seek out bargains. I hope you might like to join us next time.

There are three retreats scheduled for 2026. Two will take place in Turin this autumn – but the first will be a spring weekend in Italy's design capital, Milan (plus excursion to Lake Como), in early May. I am now inviting those interested to email me at the address below.

The Milan trip will offer exclusive access to to incredible private houses and design locations, as well as the shops and vintage markets, restaurants and cocktail bars that have made the city famous. There will also be a design workshop hosted by me – and plenty more besides.

During the autumn weekends, expert guests will host special workshops on topics such as project planning, how to use colour confidently, and trade secrets of top interior stylists, alongside my own in-depth design tutorials. But there'll also be downtime for you to see Turin, explore every nook and cranny of my 24-room house, or simply relax with a Campari – before we finish with dinner from the pizza oven in our own tavernetta, served among the trees in the garden.

Whichever retreat you join, you'll go home with new friends, an understanding of your interior design style – and the knowledge of how to put it into practice in your own home with confidence. You may have even kicked off a new room scheme with a treasure found at the market.

To make sure of a cosy, welcoming atmosphere, places are limited to just 15 people per retreat. What's more, each guest receives a 30-minute 1:1 design consultation with me, to take place after the retreat, when you've had time and opportunity to absorb everything you learned.

We take care of everything for you, so it’s also a relaxing holiday (stick your hand out and my husband will probably put an Aperol or Campari in it!) The most taxing decision you're likely to face is whether to have dessert or not. Prices include all accommodation, food, drink, and practicalities once you've arrived. All you need to do is arrange your flight (or rail journey) to Italy, and a quick transfer to your (design-led) hotel.

I'm looking forward to meeting you.

Kate Watson-Smyth

Programme & dates

“I’m inspired and full of confidence after seeing the house and participating in the whole wonderful weekend – a brilliant mix of learning and enjoying. Thank you to everyone for being so open and sharing ideas and encouragement.” – Vicki, company director

“I’ve gained so much confidence in understanding how to mix styles for depth and how to add something unexpected.” – Alex, AI consultant

“Thank you for being such a superb hostess and for the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded people. By the far the best of the trips I have been on. I can’t recommend it enough.” – Lorraine, interior designer

Mad About The House

Email: kate@madaboutthehouse.com
Substack: katewatsonsmyth.substack.com
Instagram: @mad_about_the_house