The house Villa Michela was part of one of the first hotel complexes on the island, named Le Terrazze, which was later converted into private apartments. Its central location, between the Capri square and the famous shopping street, Via Camerelle, makes it close to all services while still maintaining its privacy within the private park of which it is a part.
The renovation, curated by Arch. Flavia Donatella Esposito, focused on recovering some furnishing elements from the 1970s, evoking the taste of those years when Capri was and remains an icon of style. In the living room, there is a Prima Signora lamp by Fontana Arte, a white table by Cassina, and, placed on the sofa, the photo “The Kiss” by Alois Vanlangenaeker, with cushions by Designers Guild. Armchairs and a sideboard have been recovered and reinterpreted in a more contemporary key.
The kitchen was built in masonry with a top made of Marazzi Lux tiles, in contrast with the blue of the Tonalite planks. The two lamps on the dining table are Lampare by Fontana Arte, framing the photo by Alois Vanlangenaeker. On display in the kitchen are plates by Ceramica Assunta Positano in various colors, adding a lively and artistic touch.
In the first bedroom, a wall of niches houses elements and small ceramic accessories typical of the coast, such as the “donnine” by Paolo Sandulli. Two Tolomeo lamps by Artemide are placed on either side of the bed, while a white 1970s Safari chair by Zanotta furnishes the room. The second bedroom also features two Tolomeo lamps by Artemide on the wall and a foldable burgundy Cumano table by Zanotta.
The house permanently hosts works by the Michelin-starred chef and Belgian photographer Alois Vanlangenaeker, creating a blend of culinary and photographic art. The bathrooms reflect the predominant colors of the house, turquoise and blue, both covered with glossy Marazzi tiles. In the showers, decorated tiles from the coastal company Ceramica Arcea, glossy white sanitary ware by Ceramica Catalano, and Zazzeri taps complete the furnishings.
The true fil rouge of the project, led by Arch. Flavia Donatella Esposito, is not only the search for color but also the desire to experiment through the recovery of furnishings found in the dusty family cellar and brought to light. Villa Michela is a home designed by enhancing the existing Vietri ceramic floor, matching contemporary pieces with second-hand elements from the 1970s Capri dolce vita. Adding character and making the space even more distinctive are the ceramic vases and intensely blue tiles with a Mediterranean flavor, a clear Sorrento-Capri connection.
CREDITS
Project: Villa Michela
Location: Capri, Italy
Architect: Arch. Flavia Donatella Esposito
Year: 2024
Photos: Carlo Oriente
