The Place
A three-bedroom gem with a bright garden hidden away from the hubbub of metropolitan Florence, Casa Schlatter was once the home of painter Adolfo Schlatter, who built it at the beginning of the 20thC as a house and studio for him and his wife Emma. Adolfo’s great-granddaughter Alessandra, interior designer and antique dealer, tastefully renovated the property and made hospitality her calling. She has the touch.
Adolfo had strong views about the commercialization of art. Most of his paintings have never left the house and now adorn the walls. They make wandering through the equally charming bedrooms like taking a journey into Schlatter family history. Room Carlo Adolfo, the widest, is where the painter used to keep his canvases and colours: here two magnificent swans keep you company from within an original frame. A mezzanine can be reached up a pretty carved spiral staircase and the mosaic bathroom has a spacious shower. A gravestone at the entrance is Adolfo’s tribute to his wife Emma, after whom another bedroom is named: feminine, unashamedly pretty and decorated in the shades of rose and gold, with thoughtful details such as golden frames and period lamps. When Emma complained to Adolfo about the lack of food for dinner, he would take his smallest painting and sell it on the street. The Gardener’s room, with floral carvings and sky-blue walls, is the smallest but has a relaxed, laid-back feel and is especially quiet as it overlooks the sunny backyard. The high-ceilinged sitting room and the garden make a perfect haven from the city.
For Alessandra nothing is too much, she is always on hand to give you useful directions and local tips. Don’t miss the handmade cakes she serves for breakfast, available for a small charge. The city centre is only a short bus ride away, but there is parking in the area though spaces fill up quickly.
Best places to see in the city? See our sister website www.tripdog.co.uk –https://tripdog.co.uk/italy/key-places-to-visit-italy/florence/.