Welcome to Tuscany – Welcome to Paradise

All Pictures: Christian Kretschmar for JOI-Design

16th September 2021: In the heart of Italy’s Maremma region, JOI-Design developed a design language for the new estate of il Salotto Wines & Resort, a concept that elegantly translates traditional Tuscan references for modern times. Tuscany’s characteristic architectural style adopts contemporary twists, creating a new building that blends harmoniously with its picturesque surroundings.

By forging this link between the old and the new, the interior design takes guests on a journey of relaxation, enjoyment, and cosiness. In German, the name ‘il Salotto’ translates as ‘living room’ as well as ‘having a good time with friends’. These definitions became the guiding design concept for the stylish and sophisticated interiors of the resort’s four holiday homes as well as its public areas.

Cabernet, Sangiovese and Merlot

Three of il Salotto’s approximately 70-square metre holiday homes are named after celebrated grape varietals.

Light colours and real oak floors create a refreshing welcome in the living room, bathroom, kitchenette, dining area and lounge of the two-bedroom Casa Cabernet, Casa Sangiovese, and Casa Merlot apartments. From the moment guests step over the threshold, they are embraced by a comfortable, charming, and calm atmosphere that exudes quality and authenticity.

In the living room, other high-grade features such as real leather armchairs, a fluffy rug and an olive-coloured sofa emphasise the theme of cosiness. The look is complemented with greige nuances in the timber ceiling beams, wide oak floor planks, and country-style furniture that brings further natural warmth into the room. Large, floor-to-ceiling windows with graceful linen curtains frame sweeping views of the paradisal Tuscan landscape.

A design highlight: travertine quarried on the actual site of il Salotto Wines & Resort is showcased throughout the property, including the casas’ bathrooms and small kitchenettes. The stone directly references classic Tuscan style while building synergy between the old and the new.

A design highlight: travertine quarried on the actual site of il Salotto Wines & Resort is showcased throughout the property, including the casas’ bathrooms and small kitchenettes. The stone directly references classic Tuscan style while building synergy between the old and the new.

The bedrooms of the three casas house modern, yet also romantic, four-poster beds and continue the style seen in the living room. Here, too, a colour canon of beige, greige and olive plays with contemporary brass elements. In the bathrooms, Italian flair meets traditional-yet-modern design details. Light-coloured tiles and traditional Tuscan fittings complete the look.

All three casas have their own large sun terrace with stylish outdoor furniture and a hammock for chilling out – a perfect setting to unwind and forget about everyday life at home.

Exclusive Morellino

The fourth home, Villa Morellino, is a real showpiece in the centre of the idyllic estate. Spread across two floors and comprising approximately 150 square metres, a hybrid of tradition and modernity is expressed once again through a sophisticated and stately design language. Many elements found in the casas reappear here, along with new highlights. A free-standing bar crafted from timber and a travertine worktop blends tastefully into the living area. Indirect lighting above the counter and cosy, brown leather barstools complete the overall picture. Bright and cosy upholstered seating niches with olive green cushions line the entire expanse of the living room’s large front windows, drawing guests into the spell of the seemingly endless vineyards in the vista beyond. They form an utterly peaceful spot for enjoying the view with a book and a delicious wine.

The heart

In addition to the stylish holiday homes, il Salotto offers guests shared public areas for relaxation. In the Sala Degustation (tasting), people enjoy experiences together. Rustic Tuscan style meets refined modern elegance in two zones that flow into each other.

The central bar - the hub of the action - artistically showcases the vineyard’s own cellared collection through an elaborate wine rack shelving backlit with soft LED lights. As in Villa Morellino, the bar’s wooden cladding is accented by a travertine top and light leather barstools. Indirect illumination and brass pendant lights above the counter create a sunny atmosphere with brightness and clarity for assessing wines. Daylight streams through expansive window fronts to playfully dapple the oak floors. A large community table with timber graining similar to that of olive trees sits in the centre of the room, a gathering place where guests come together to enjoy regional varietals.

In keeping with il Salotto’s mottos 'carpe diem' and 'la dolce vita', the resort offers seasonal theme evenings and tastings with its own organic wines and culinary accompaniments. The bar area’s espresso corner was designed to feel rustic and, at the same time, cosy.

Opposite the bar is a sea of bright and inviting sofas that the designers oriented to face the natural stone fireplace as well as the breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside - a place with a true feel-good spirit. Olive green cushions and real plants add colourful accents. Here, too, guests come together to comfortably sip wine and let the evening come to an end in a quiet and tasteful atmosphere.

The icing on the cake

The outdoor area of il Salotto Wines & Resort is the icing on the cake in this beautiful Tuscan destination. Two huge terraces with high-quality furniture in neutral tones provide retreats where guests can rest. On the east veranda is a large pizza oven, and on the west side, a cosy fire pit that sets just the right ambience for a sundowner. In the large pool located directly on the slope of the vineyard, guests can cool off and enjoy fantastic views of the rows of grapevines. Further down is the yoga terrace that offers visitors even more relaxation.

Another highlight: the wine cellar located under the resort. Here, the fine drops of il Salotto are aged, waiting to be tasted. The grapes, terroir and microclimate of the Maremma region are the best prerequisites for particularly flavourful notes in the il Salotto’s wines.

In the midst of this extraordinary Tuscan wine landscape is a haven where guests can feel at home and enjoy a truly special holiday experience amidst a tasteful, high-quality and authentic setting.

About JOI-Design

JOI-Design is a leading European interior design studio with more than 35 years of experience in hospitality design and over 500 hotel projects in Germany and abroad. Our focus is on the development of exclusive, design-focussed concepts for the international hotel industry, serviced apartments, cruise ships and next-generation workspaces for high-style commercial offices.

The multidisciplinary creatives from our studios in Germany and India comprise experienced interior designers, architects, engineers, graphic designers and product designers. These specialists work as a team to tailor one-of-a-kind spaces relevant for society today, places that respond to the ever-changing needs of daily life for different target markets.

For more information and high-res photos, please contact:

Alicia Sheber alicia@read-thread.com +44(0)79.8248.9187
JOI-Design Innenarchitekten A D Joehnk+partner mbB · www.JOI-Design.com

Extract from our recent project list:

AUTOGRAPH Tegernsee, Germany · FALKENSTEINER Resort Bolzano, Italy · HYATT PLACE - The Circle Zurich Airport, Switzerland · SHERATON & MARRIOTT Frankfurt Airport, Germany · MOXY Budapest, Hungary · Hotel VIERJAHRESZEITEN Iserlohn, Germany · A-ROSA Cruise Ship · FLEMING'S SELECTION Hamburg, Germany · HILTON Munich Airport, Germany · CONGRESS CENTER Hamburg, Germany · OLYMPUS European Headquarters Hamburg, Germany · LUFTHANSA Conference Hotel Seeheim, Germany · ATLANTIS Timmendorf, Germany · VIVANTA Bangalore, India · TAJ HOTEL Holiday Village Goa, India · COURTYARD by MARRIOTT Baku, Azerbaijan · Development of two new brands for MPC MICRO LIVING, Germany.

Extract from our completed project list:

FRASER SUITES Hamburg, Germany · DER ÖSCHBERGHOF Donaueschingen, Germany · LE MÉRIDIEN Hamburg & Munich, Germany · MARRIOTT Munich, Germany· Reichshof CURIO BY HILTON Hamburg, Germany · THE RITZ CARLTON Wolfsburg, Germany · JW MARRIOTT Cannes, France ·  MERCEDES-BENZ Suites London, UK · MERCEDES-BENZ Suites Singapore · MS EUROPA 2 Cruise Ship Suites · STEIGENBERGER Grandhotel Davos, Switzerland· PULLMAN Paris Bercy, France · HILTON Frankfurt Airport, Germany · HYATT PLACE Frankfurt, Germany · MOXY & RESIDENCE INN Frankfurt & Munich, Germany · AC BY MARRIOTT Innsbruck, Austria · HAPIMAG Resort Venice, Italy · LINDNER Resort Mallorca, Spain · LE CLERVAUX Boutique Hotel Clerf, Luxembourg · GINGER Goa, India · STAY KOOOOK Bern, Switzerland · MOXY Hamburg, Germany · CAPRI BY FRASER Leipzig, Germany.