Dear friends,

I have been waiting to go to Italy my entire life. My first two attempts—crushed by ISIS and then by COVID—were canceled due to global events beyond my control. But as they say, the third time’s the charm.

And charm it was—especially our stay at Villa Lario.

I wanted to begin my recounting of our honeymoon here, at this serene jewel along Lake Como, because it was the most calming and restorative experience of our entire journey. More than that, it reaffirmed my belief that intentional design has the power to deeply enhance how we experience a place. At Villa Lario, design isn’t simply aesthetic—it’s sensory, immersive, and quietly transformative.

Arrival: An Introduction to Villa Lario’s Poetry

Our arrival set the tone. Lake Como greeted us with a monsoon, yet Villa Lario had arranged for a driver who braved the downpour to escort us. We wound our way down a narrow cobblestone lane until we arrived at an unassuming elevator—one of those liminal moments where anticipation hangs thick in the air.

Stepping inside, I gasped. The lake-facing wall was entirely glass, and as we descended the cliffside, the overcast weather looming around the lake felt cinematic.

At reception, a warm staff welcomed us, immediately offering a tour of the property. Villa Lario unfolds across five distinct spaces: Villa Bianca, the elegant main villa; the pool deck, with its disappearing edge merging into the lake; the Pavilion, a secluded villa perched over the water; Il Palazzo, the heart of the historic estate; and the Garden Suite, our home for the next few days.

Each of these spaces is nestled into the cliffside at varying elevations, making the property feel both expansive and intimate—part resort, part hidden sanctuary.

Design That Honors History

Originally a collection of historic villas, the property was reimagined by interior designer Pietro Castagna. His renovation respected the soul of the estate, preserving architectural details while introducing understated contemporary interventions. This balance—between past and present, tradition and modernity—is what gives Villa Lario its quiet sophistication.

We had booked what we assumed would be a simple guest suite within Il Palazzo. Instead, we were led up weathered cobblestone stairs to a petite ochre-colored villa tucked behind hydrangea bushes. This was the Garden Suite, our private haven.

Inside, a dramatic linen drape divided the bedroom from a small lounge. A picture-frame window framed an olive tree, complemented by a skylight overhead. The minimalist bedroom—two Juliet balconies with shuttered windows, pared-down furnishings—allowed the surrounding landscape to take center stage.

The bathroom was perhaps my favorite interior moment: taupe tadelakt plaster walls, vessel sinks atop a sleek vanity, a modern shower framed by a frosted window capturing diffused light. Even the bi-pass door that cleverly separated the toilet from the closet spoke to an efficiency of design—a thoughtful choreography of space.

Waiting for us on arrival was a chilled bottle of champagne and a handwritten note—an intimate gesture that set the tone for the rest of our stay.

Dining Among Columns & History

Dinner that evening was at Villa Bianca, the pristine white villa whose interiors echo its name. White-washed walls, soft navy and pale blue accents, and rustic stone details created a serene palette that felt both sophisticated and grounded.

The dining room itself told a story: a pair of bronze columns—once hidden during Mussolini’s predations—now stand as sculptural sentinels. A row of windows, softened by billowing linen curtains, perfectly framed the evening’s Lake Como sunset. The space was quiet in its grandeur, allowing the food and the view to take precedence. (A full post on the culinary experience will come later, but suffice it to say: every bite was exquisite.)

A Detail That Delighted Me Most

When we returned to our suite, we found what became one of my favorite details of the entire experience: a bedtime story.

Each night, we discovered a card resting on our bed, illuminated by soft mood lighting, recounting a fragment of the villa’s history. This small ritual—reading a chapter of Villa Lario’s story before drifting to sleep—was an unexpected layer of hospitality. It didn’t just tell us where we were staying; it invited us into the villa’s narrative.

Immersed in Lake Como

The next morning began with a leisurely breakfast (a special mention for their yogurt—it was divine), followed by time spent on the edge of the property, reading as the lake shimmered in front of us. Later, we boarded a private pontoon, captained by Phillipo, who guided us to some of Lake Como’s most famed landmarks: George Clooney’s villa, the cascading Napo waterfall, the opulent Villa Balbiano (a wedding venue of cinematic fame), the historic “Cove of the Olives”, and the legendary Villa La Cassinella—accessible only by boat and commanding a staggering weekly rate of €150,000.

After a light picnic prepared by Villa Lario, we returned to the property to indulge in its most mesmerizing feature: the infinity pool. Suspended above the lake, it blurs the boundary between water and horizon. Aperol spritz & mint lemonade, miniature sandwiches, and even their ketchup felt like a masterclass in simple pleasures elevated.

We swam in the lake from their private dock, lounged in the property’s signature orange chairs, and read tucked away in shaded garden nooks. I can still recall one particular afternoon—clouds rolling in, me curled up on a garden sofa, Fares napping in our suite—when time seemed to suspend itself. It was pure serenity.

Design Moments That Stayed With Me

As a designer, I often collect moments more than things—and Villa Lario gave me plenty to take home:

The symmetry of Il Palazzo’s terrazzo floor, inlaid with the family crest, framed by black iron and glass doors opening to a frescoed terrace.
The Garden Suite, cradled by hydrangeas, olive trees, and palm trees, its Juliet balconies overlooking the lake.
The cobblestone pathways, each stone an artifact of time.
The bronze columns in Villa Bianca, uncovered like relics of resilience.
The sculpture deck, where black-and-white terrazzo meets the quiet presence of a classical bust.
The infinity pool, a seamless extension of the lake itself.
The oversized red ceramic vase framed by the exquisitely detailed iron gate greeting arrivals from the water—an exclamation point at the edge of serenity.

A Place That Stays With You

On our last morning, we lingered over croissants, pancakes, and cappuccinos, knowing the rhythm of our trip would soon shift to the lively pace of Florence and Rome. Before leaving, we walked once more to the dock, offering a silent salute to the peace Villa Lario had gifted us.

It’s rare to find a place where architecture, history, and hospitality converge so effortlessly. Villa Lario doesn’t just host you, it envelops you, weaving its story with yours. And long after you leave, it lingers.

Villa Lario: A Symphony of Design & Serenity