What if planning a renovation felt like a holiday?
Join me and an award-winning architect this June for three days of design workshops, vintage markets, house tours, great food and even better cocktails.
As many of you know, I open up my house in Italy to guests three times a year for a long weekend of interior design workshops, a chance to explore the very elegant (and unfamiliar to many) city of Turin, meet like-minded people and make new friends. We do all this while eating wonderful food washed down with Barolo and the odd Campari spritz.
For this year’s June event I have teamed up with award-winning architect Catherine Finkernagel, of Spaces Refined, and together we are going to help you create your renovation roadmap – whether your needs extend simply to one room, or for a complete home, for now or for later.
Bookings are only open for another 10 days and there are just a few places left, so now’s the moment to grab a spot for this special retreat, which runs from aperitivo hour on Friday 6th June to bedtime on Monday 9th.
I know some prospective guests were worried about taking too much time off work at that busy time of year, but I have now discovered there’s a late (10pm) flight on the Monday evening from Turin to London Stansted, which means you could be back at work on Tuesday morning. And if that sounds like an option, bear in mind also that the slightly earlier exit reduces the cost of the weekend by £250, bringing the total price down to £3,500.
Alternatively, for those whose schedule is less frenetic, you can stay at the hotel on Monday night and use the Tuesday to explore the city at your leisure. One previous guest spent seven hours in its famous Egyptian Museum (reckoned to be the world’s best outside Egypt itself), although I managed it in two! There are jaw-dropping royal palaces, art galleries, museums and innumerable shops to visit – not to mention the Turin Shroud – if mummies aren’t your thing.
Over the three-day retreat we’ll dive into finding your style and creating that all-important red thread, as well as planning your budget and, crucially, how to avoid potentially costly mistakes. We will do all this with a cocktail in hand and plenty of time to sit under the trees in my garden.
In addition to four interactive workshop sessions, we’ll visit the famous Gran Balon vintage market of Turin, explore the city centre and eat at some of the best restaurants in town, starting with a rooftop dinner at a Michelin Guide-rated restaurant and ending with pizzas made in the wood-fired oven in the tavernetta at my house.
This trip is for all levels of expertise, from novice to professional, from one room to a whole house, for a live project or a future dream. Whether you want to just enjoy an early summer break with like-minded people or have a specific project in mind, you will find plenty of inspiration and information to spark ideas.
June is the perfect month for a mini-break; it’s not too hot in Piemonte and the days are long. You can fully relax and absorb all we have to teach you, knowing that the most onerous decision you will have to make is whether to have Campari or Aperol.
Previous guests have included interior designers, architects and property professionals, as well as lawyers, executive coaches, AI and IT experts, teachers and publishers. Whatever your day job, if you’ve ever wondered how to make the most of the space you live in, then this weekend is for you.
As Catherine, who was a guest herself last year said: “I didn’t need a renovation workshop – I’m an architect – but I was craving inspiration, conversation, great food, and a little escape from the chaos of family life. I left with new ideas, new friends, and a renewed sense of what home can mean and how to create one. Even as a professional, there’s always something to learn.”
Booking closes at the end of the month, which means you have only the next 10 days – until 2 May 2025 – to confirm your interest. Here are the details:
What’s included: four nights at a landmark 4-star hotel, all food and drink from the moment you arrive until you leave, all transport during the weekend (and to the airport if you opt to leave on the Monday night). You will also have plenty of time to consult both me and Catherine during the weekend outside of the four workshops that we will lead.
What’s not included: flights/transport to Turin and from there to the hotel (usually around £30 in a cab). You must also have your own travel insurance.
Cost for the full weekend (leaving on Tuesday) is £3,750.
Cost for three nights (leaving on Monday evening) is £3,500
Here is a more detailed post about the June retreat while here is the itinerary for September (and the slightly shorter retreat in October), including reviews from last year’s attendees.
If you wish to reserve a place I will need a 25 per cent deposit by Friday 2 May with the balance due by the end of the month. For this retreat only, places are strictly limited to 10.
If you have any questions, Catherine and I will be hosting a live Substack session on Friday 25 April at 2pm where we will not only give more details about the retreat, but can also help with your more immediate design and decorating dilemmas. The video will be sent out to everyone afterwards so you can watch at your leisure.
If you want to come then leave a comment below or email me at kate@madaboutthehouse.com to secure your place, and I’ll send the payment details.
I can’t wait to see you in Turin!
Sounds incredible and I AM planning a renovation - but it’s my birthday week and I’m already away! Another time then :)