Italy design retreats: Autumn 2026 programme
11th-15th September: "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 and Picasso.
- 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.
- Workshop with expert guest speaker
- 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.
- Cars will bring you to my house for morning workshop led by your second guest expert.
- Lunch at my local trattoria, with time to explore the village afterwards if you wish.
- Final workshop of the weekend.
- Afternoon tea & pastries
- Informal “Design Q&A” session.
- 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.
Price: £3,750 per person (all-inclusive) for bookings until 1st January 2026; £3,850 thereafter.
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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2nd-6th October: "From Design to Decor"
(Hosted by Kate Watson-Smyth & architect Catherine Finkernagel)
Friday 2nd October
- 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 and Picasso.
- Dinner at a spectacular Michelin Guide-rated restaurant.
Saturday 3rd October
- 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.
- Catherine’s first workshop – Renovation Strategy, From Concept to Completion. Learn how to optimise layouts, budgets, and timelines to minimise the stress of home renovation. Any project needs to start with clarity and confidence so you can leave the overwhelm behind.
- 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 4th October
- Breakfast at your hotel.
- Cars will bring you to meet me and award-winning architect Catherine Finkernagel in Moncalieri on the outskirts of the city, where a charming open-air vintage market winds through the streets of the ancient walled town. With an eclectic selection of lighting, art, furniture, and more, you’re sure to find unique pieces to inspire your projects.
- Lunch on-the-go in one of the bars or restaurants overlooking the central square.
- 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 5th October
- Breakfast at your hotel.
- Cars will bring you to my house for Catherine’s second in-depth workshop – Kitchen & Bathroom Design Secrets. These spaces require meticulous planning, and you’ll leave with the expert knowledge of what questions to ask and how to create rooms that are functional, stylish, and perfectly tailored to your lifestyle.
- Lunch at my local trattoria, with time to explore the village afterwards if you wish.
- Afternoon workshop and Q&A with me on Design Mastery – shaping your vision, defining your style, and finding that all-important “red thread” to create a truly individual scheme.
- Afternoon tea & pastries.
- 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. (Some guests may choose to head to the airport instead for late-evening flights.)
Tuesday 6th October
- Breakfast at your hotel and check-out.
Price: £3,950 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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9th-12th October: "An Introduction To Finding Your Interior Design Style”
(Hosted by Kate Watson-Smyth & guest experts)
Friday 9th October
- 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 and Picasso.
- Dinner at a spectacular Michelin Guide-rated restaurant.
Saturday 10th October
- 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.
- Second workshop – on how to find your own interiors style, followed by Design Q&A.
- 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 11th October
- 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.
- Reconvene at one of Turin’s most historic private buildings for in-depth colour workshop with guest expert.
- Free time for a rest at the hotel or more shopping.
- Aperitivi at one of Turin’s oldest and most elegant cafés.
- Dinner at a cosy city-centre restaurant.
- Cars will take you back to the hotel.
Monday 12th October
- Breakfast at your hotel and check-out.
Price: £2,750 per person (all-inclusive) for bookings until 1st January 2026; £2,800 thereafter.
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.
Mad About The House
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