For Cristiana Melis, owner and manager of the exquisite Corte della Maestà retreat in Civita di Bagnoregio, the art of living well means having fun and expressing yourself creatively in daily life. A treasure trove of art, artefacts and ancient history, Cristiana and her partner Paolo welcome guests to their immaculate home and guesthouse that is a one-of-a-kind experience of Italian culture, right down to the finest detail.
The eclectic mix of artisanal products Cristiana has selected for her ISSIMO Edit reflects her unique approach to style and individuality, and the importance of letting your creativity shine whether styling the table, the home, or yourself. Read on to discover more!
“Evviva Il Pellicano! When I was a girl I asked my dear friend Nicoletta, an experienced travel agency manager, what she thought the most beautiful and charming hotel in Italy was. She answered without any hesitation: “Hotel Il Pellicano!” From then on it became one of my dreams to visit, and I knew it would have to be for a very special occasion,” says Cristiana.
“A few years ago that ‘special occasion’ came up for my husband’s birthday, and my dream turned into a reality. Everything is like a poem at Hotel Il Pellicano; the poetry of the location, the sunsets, the view, and enjoying an aperitivo while listening to the sound of the sea. I love its unique and authentic heritage and sense of style. It’s also so secluded, which makes it fascinating to me. It’s a very special place that gives me many emotions, from sunrise to sunset, and even beyond that. I have always believed that the truly special things in life start with special people, and this is definitely the case with Hotel Il Pellicano.”
ISSIMO
‘Il Dolce far niente’ T-shirt
I love T-shirts with slogans. They are like walking posters carrying all kinds of messages, and most of the time they make people smile. For me, the ‘innkeeper’ (that’s how I like to define myself), this ‘Il Dolce Far Niente’ T-shirt is the slogan we should wear every day when we welcome our guests because I believe the true luxury of a hotel experience is to feel so relaxed and comfortable that you don’t need to ‘do’ anything.
ISSIMO
Monopoly
I believe in the art of always staying like a little kid! Playing is good for the soul, and puts you in a good mood. We should never lose our sense of play. Monopoly is one game not to be missed.
PASTIFICIO DEI CAMPI
Paccheri di Gragnano
I love cooking, especially for others. It gives me a lot of gratification and it always lifts my mood. Pasta with a simple tomato sauce is hard to beat. But be careful – the pasta must be the highest quality and the sauce is always best when it’s homemade. As they say…it seems easy to make a good coffee, but it’s not. The same goes for a good dish of pasta. It seems simple. But it isn’t. Pasta from Gragnano is always wonderful and truly authentic.
ISSIMO X LISA CORTI
Bougainvillea Stripes Tablecloth
Table setting is another art to which I dedicate a lot of time and thought. For me, one of the joys of life is having guests over for dinner and setting up a different mise-en-place each time. I almost enjoy setting a theme table more than cooking. I have a small collection of tablecloths in different fabrics, including those that belonged to my mother. I confess, I have also used things like old lace curtains or a crocheted bedspread to dress up my table and make it more playful.
The tablecloth is like the dress for the table, on which we put the most suitable accessories. Lisa Corti’s tablecloths are no doubt unique. When I use them to set the breakfast table many of my guests say: ‘Wow! Lisa Corti’
ISSIMO X SCHOSTAL
Unisex Pyjamas – Turquoise & Orange
Special pyjamas are important because they are intimate. They should feel beautiful for you, even though they are not seen by many people.
BORSALINO
Gazzella Hat
I’m crazy about hats! I have always collected tem, and I have them in all kinds. When I enter my house and see them hanging they give me a lot of joy, and I still wear them even if I don’t go out. I love the wide-brimmed straw hats; for me it’s not just an accessory, it’s a symbol. I think the best parties are the ones that have hats as a dress code.