Italy design retreats 2025: the full programme
6th-10th June (Kate Watson-Smyth & architect Catherine Finkernagel)
Friday 6th June
- 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 7th June
- 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 8th June
- Breakfast at your hotel.
- Cars will bring you to meet me and award-winning architect Catherine Finkernagel 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 sq m 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 9th June
- 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 10th June
- Breakfast at your hotel and check-out.
Price: £3,750 per person (all-inclusive).
Terms: 25% payable on booking, 50% due 60 days before arrival, 25% due 30 days before arrival.
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12th-16th September (Kate Watson-Smyth & guest design experts)
Friday 12th 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-rated restaurant.
Saturday 13th 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 14 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 15th 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 16th September
- Breakfast at your hotel and check-out.
Price: £3,750 per person (all-inclusive).
Terms: 25% payable on booking, 50% due 60 days before arrival, 25% due 30 days before arrival.
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10th-13th October (Kate Watson-Smyth & guest design experts)
Friday 10th 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 11th 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 12th 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 13th October
- Breakfast at your hotel and check-out.
Price: £2,750 per person (all-inclusive).
Terms: 25% payable on booking, 50% due 60 days before arrival, 25% due 30 days before arrival.
Mad About The House
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