Luxury villa: how are the most beautiful villas furnished?

We at Il Piccolo still remember the first times we renovated a luxury villa in our work as interior designers. We remember one in particular. It was a spring morning on Lake Como. The light filtered through the large windows, playing with the reflections of the marble. The atmosphere was almost magical.

After more than fifty years in the business and hundreds of completed projects, we can say that designing and creating the interior of a luxury villa remains the most involving experience in our profession. It is a journey that begins with a dream and is transformed into reality through months of meticulous work. On this journey, there is no room for error: every detail must be taken care of obsessively, as if it were a work of art.

We will discuss this at length in today’s post, which is a comprehensive guide to the interior architecture of a luxury villa. A guide that is meant to be a help to you who are the fortunate owner of such a splendid home and who, as a consequence, want everything in it to be absolutely perfect.

Some preliminary remarks…

The concept of a luxury villa has changed a lot in recent years. Whereas luxury used to be measured in square metres and pure gold, today we are talking about an all-encompassing living experience, where technology, sustainability and comfort come together harmoniously.

Il Piccolo’s discerning customers are increasingly looking for that fine line that separates luxury from ostentation, that discreet elegance that only a design studied to the smallest detail can offer. It is a new way of understanding privilege, more conscious and more refined. This is precisely what we will talk about in the lines that follow.

The entrance: the first breath of a luxury villa

The entrance of a luxury villa must leave you breathless, but without ostentation, as we said at the beginning of the article. In our latest renovation project , delivered in Milan, we created a space where precious marble alternates with wood-panelled walls, with a custom-made central chandelier that plays with the natural light from the large windows.

The staircase, an often underestimated element, became an architectural sculpture unfolding in the space like a sinuous ribbon. The burnished brass handrails, made by our expert craftsmen, were as pleasant to the touch as they were beautiful to look at.

The beating heart of the villa: the living and dining area

The living area of a luxury villa must be much more than just a living area. It must be a fluid space, where different functional areas follow each other in a natural way.

A few examples? We can cite rooms where fine, handmade leather sofas complement coffee tables in rare woods, and where hand-knotted carpets define the conversation zones without breaking up the continuity of the space. The acoustics play an equally fundamental role: it is therefore a good idea to rely on expert designers, to be sure of creating places where music spreads evenly and where conversation is pleasant, even during large receptions.

The dining room of the luxury villa deserves a separate chapter. Here the table becomes the absolute protagonist. What advice can be given on this furniture? The table should always be made to measure, perhaps using reclaimed antique wood or rare marble. In a recent project, we had a 12-seater table made using a centuries-old olive tree that had fallen during a heavy summer storm.

The lighting is then designed to create the right atmosphere in every situation. From business lunches to more formal dinners, every moment has its perfect light.

The kitchen in a luxury villa: technology and tradition

As in modern villas (https://www.ilpiccolodesign.it/villa-moderna/), the kitchen in a luxury villa is a place where the most advanced technology finds its place and, in this case, meets traditional materials. For example, kitchens where Carrara marble is combined with state-of-the-art appliances are splendid. And the same can be said of the rooms in which custom-made extractor hoods become true sculptural elements.

It doesn’t end there. The central island  is no longer just a worktop. Rather, it is intended as a social element, i.e. as a meeting point where family and guests can meet informally.

It is no coincidence that in the most luxurious villas, two different types of kitchens are often installed. A show kitchen, for convivial moments, and a professional kitchen, hidden but perfectly equipped, intended for the chefs who cook during events.

The master bedroom: the private retreat

What should the master bedroom of a luxury villa look like? Basically, it should be designed as a room in itself. We are not only referring to its size, but to how the space is designed and organised.

The sleeping area must flow naturally into the walk-in wardrobe and then into the bathroom, creating a path to personal well-being. In our latest realisations, we happened to integrate lighting systems that simulate the natural cycle of sunlight, thus favouring rest.

The wood panelling, made to measure by our master cabinet-makers, sometimes conceals walk-in wardrobes worthy of a high-fashion boutique. The master bathrooms are veritable private spas, with experience showers, saunas and not infrequently even small fitness areas.

Outdoor spaces: how to create an oasis of beauty outdoors

Contemporary luxury does not stop at the walls inside the home. Gardens, verandas, patios and swimming pools should be designed as a natural extension of indoor spaces.

A few examples? The rule is that the outdoor living areas of a luxury villa should have furnishings that, in terms of comfort and elegance, have nothing to envy to those indoors. Pools, more and more often, become architectural elements: infinity edges that blend in with the horizon, underwater lighting that creates magical atmospheres in the evening, heating systems that allow them to be used even in mid-season.

The details that make the difference in a luxury villa

It is the details that turn a beautiful home into a luxury villa. Think, for example, of handles made to design by goldsmiths, lighting systems that automatically adapt to the time of day, fabrics that change texture with the light, wine cellars with an app-controlled humidity control system, and hand-crafted stone walls that look like works of contemporary art.

An increasingly strong trend in the world of luxury villas is the focus on sustainability. How does this affect interior design? For example, architecturally integrated solar panels, rainwater recovery systems for irrigation and natural and certified materials are becoming increasingly popular. Indeed, contemporary luxury is also this. On the other hand, buyers increasingly demand solutions that combine comfort with respect for the environment.

Technology in a luxury villa is invisible

In many ways, nowadays, true luxury is technology that cannot be seen. What are we referring to? For example, integrated home automation systems that control temperature. And then to lighting and security that can be managed by a simple app.

Technology in a luxury villa should therefore not be invasive. Never, ever. It must improve the quality of life of the inhabitants, but without being noticeable. In this sense, multi-room audio systems make it possible to listen to music in every room without showing the speakers, while air treatment systems work silently – and well hidden – to guarantee an environment that is always healthy.

Summing up…

Designing a luxury villa means creating a unique living experience where every element contributes to a superior harmony. It is not just a matter of choosing the finest materials or the most exclusive furnishings, but of orchestrating these elements into a perfect symphony.

In over 50 years of experience in the market, Il Piccolo has learnt that true luxury does not shout, but whispers. It lies in the quality of the materials, in the precision of the workmanship, in the uniqueness of made-to-measure solutions. But above all, it lies in that sense of peace and beauty that envelops you when you enter an artfully designed home.

If you’ll pardon the analogy, a luxury villa must be like a tailor-made suit: perfectly tailored to the needs and desires of those who will inhabit it. And then it must be able to last over time, to tell a story of excellent craftsmanship and style.

It is a difficult task, requiring passion, expertise and a deep understanding of the customer’s desires. This is, in short, the true essence of luxury in our times.

Il Piccolo, second generation family-run carpentry shop, opens its showroom in Lugano. With over 50 years of experience, Il Piccolo brings with it a wealth of technical and design knowledge of the highest level, thanks to the many interiors designed and furnished all over the world. In addition, Il Piccolo represents the most prestigious brands of furniture worldwide. Il Piccolo designs, manufactures and sells the best of interior design made in Italy, following the customer from design to implementation, delivery and installation of the work, integrating the process with a precise and professional service. CONTACT US