When you own multiple restaurants, you don’t get to spend much time at home. That’s why restaurateurs Ingrid and Fabrizio Aielli (who own Sea Salt, Barbatella, Grappino and Dorona in Naples) wanted their new space to check off all the boxes for those precious few moments when they can relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor. “We wanted to do something fresh and bright,” says Ingrid, noting that the couple used to live in a Tuscan-style home but wanted to upgrade to something more modern.
The 4,500-square-foot, four-bedroom, five-bathroom home was penned by architect Greg Weber of South Florida Design. The art-loving couple hired Clive Daniel Home’s interior designer Robin Garceau, who has a background in fine art and art history, to balance edgy modernism and Old World sensibilities. “When you first walk into the home, you immediately get a sense of who Ingrid and Fabrizio are,” Robin says. The designer says the space is fresh and fun, but the couple’s Italian roots come through.
In the foyer, you’re met with a 15th-century altar the couple purchased in Italy. The piece sits below an antique sunburst mirror opposite an oil painting of the Virgin Mary from the 1700s. A 48-inch wide antique brass-and-glass Echo 24-light chandelier by John-Richard lights the area.
Throughout the rest of the home, you find modern and contemporary pieces, including creations from sculptor Márton Váró, who works in Italian Carrara marble, and painter/sculptor Yankel Ginzburg. Robin kept the palate light to let the artwork have its moment. She incorporated several pieces of furniture with acrylic legs, arms and frames to add contemporary flair without competing with the art. “When you are dealing with a wide open space like this, you want your eye to breeze right through the living room, dining and kitchen area to the view,” Robin says, adding that the lack of competing elements makes the space look more expansive and lends a sense of calm.
However, another focal point arises with the metallic, geometric wallpaper behind the entertainment center. During the selection process, Fabrizio was drawn to the wall covering’s coloring (it looks silvery-blue in person) and the shapes that create depth and dimension. “Dark wallpaper isn’t something to be afraid of,” Robin says. “It grounds the space. And when done correctly, it’s fabulous.”
The primary suite also goes bold with a dynamic blue-and-white wall covering behind the bed that pulls the eye toward the 12-foot-high coffered ceiling, which houses a delicate Murano glass chandelier made especially for the couple. It hangs like jewelry above the tufted bed, creating a romantic and magical energy that blends Italian elegance with coastal comfort.
Not surprisingly, the home’s kitchen was designed to be dazzling and pragmatic whenever Fabrizio conjures epicurean masterpieces for friends and family. It also looks amazing—in part due to the asymmetrical waterfall island that allows for extra seating.
For the Aiellis, the real magic happens in the blue and white-themed outdoor living area. “In the daytime, I love to see the reflection of the canal,” Ingrid says. “And at night, when we use the outdoor fireplace, it reflects off the beaded glass mosaic painting.” The piece, Beaded Butterfly Ascension, is by Naples-based artist Alina Eydel, who works with paint, glass beads, semi-precious stones and sustainably farmed butterfly wings to create mosaics that reflect the beauty of nature.
The artwork perfectly captures the Aiellis’ effervescent personalities while completing the space where they can escape it all. And the couple appreciates every minute of their time at home.
An outdoor kitchen was essential for the food-loving couple.
Photography by: Kidago Creative
