Springtime, Sleepwear and Schostal: Visiting Maremma, Tuscany
When it came to shooting the new ISSIMO x Schostal Sleepwear, there was only one destination in mind
- BY ISSIMO
- April 7, 2022
When it came to shooting the new ISSIMO x Schostal Sleepwear, there was only one destination in mind
Springtime is the perfect season for Italian exploration. Before planning lengthier summer holidays, we embrace a perfect season for weekends away, overnight bags and undiscovered destinations within striking distance of your hometown base. For ISSIMO, that hometown is Rome. And a cornerstone of the ISSIMO – or any! – overnight bag is the perfect pyjama.
In Rome’s centro storico you will discover artisans with more than a century and a half of experience – Schostal 1870. Working with these classic merchants, we combine all the history of Italian style with our playful chichISSIMO twist! The result is a new springtime collection in seasonal colourways, destined for weekends out of town. So we packed them into our bags and off we went, headed north to a destination we typically drive right past as we head for the magnificent Monte Argentario and our home away from home: Hotel Il Pellicano. In the name of ItalianISSIMO exploration we headed to the beautiful Casa Iris.
In the heart of Maremma lies the town of Orbetello. Located between Rome and the Tuscan destinations of Pisa, Siena and Florence, it is a perfect spot to visit on your springtime road trip or your weekend out-of-town! The topography and nature of Orbetello is a draw itself; looking Westwards you will discover the sea and to the East; the iconic rolling farmlands of Tuscany while remaining a stone’s throw away from a WWF protected lagoon that is a rare bird sanctuary. With your trusty overnight bag and perfect pyjama, from here visiting Pitigliano, Magliano and Capalbio are easily reachable as is touring the whimsical Giardino dei Tarocchi, created by the artist Niki de Saint Phalle or the Etruscan burial tombs in Tarquinia and Cerveteri.
But for a Maremma sleepover, Orbetello and the divine Casa Iris are a design-destination we dream of. Dating back to Etruscan times, for many years Orbetello was a town to drive past. Holidayers went on towards the island of Giglio or to experience the Dolce Far Niente of Il Pellicano and Porto Ercole. Those who did stopover were rewarded with a destination esteemed by Italians, it is not a town that has been molded to cater to international tourists. Everyone is welcome of course, but the preservation of that authentic ItalianISSIMO experience ensures the legacy of this locale.
Meet the Hosts of Casa Iris
The owners of Casa Iris, James Valeri and Matthew Adams, ensured that every detail of the bed and breakfast was considered. Spending a full year renovating Casa Iris before opening, the duo consulted with Roman architect Giorgia Ceruli who designed the airy, pastel spaces. Says Matthew,
“Our goal was to mix different eras of decor to create a whimsical collage of shapes, materials and textures in our choice of decoration, furniture and flooring. We always had in mind the importance of hiding anything that would feel like a hotel, so cabinets and sideboards were customized.”
The result is a hotel that feels like a home with design details to make you swoon. Works by designers including Venini, Willy Rizzo, Paolo Buffa, Fontana Arte, Maison Jansen, Goffredo and Reggiani Barrovier & Toso adorn the spaces. Impressively, the property shares a restoration artist with the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel. Maria Rosaria Basileo and her extraordinary restoration team spent months carefully shaving off seven layers of white paint to reveal the beautiful frescoed ceilings that had been hidden for over one hundred years. Matthew confirms, “It was a challenge to bring all of these disparate elements together, but it turned out beautifully.”
From geographical beauty to nearby attractions and the design details so meticulously preserved, Casa Iris is a wonderful spot for a sleepover in Schostal pyjamas!
