DATA SHEET
Progetto architettonico e interior design: ORAstudio
Lighting: Oluce, Artemide, Nemo Lighting, Cappellini, Flos, Venini, Fontana Arte, Martinelli Luce, Stilnovo, Davide Groppi
Furnishings: Poltrona Frau, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, Cassina, Cappellini, Zanotta, Gufram, Memphis Milano, Poltronova
Photos: Serena Eller
What connects Achille Castiglioni, Michele De Lucchi, Gae Aulenti, Vico Magistretti, and Gio Ponti? Not only did they help write the history of design, their works – along with that of other designers the caliber of Franco Albini and Marco Zanuso – are all found in this recently opened hotel in Tolentino, an inland town in the Italian region of the Marche. The location is meaningful as it is set in a late Art Nouveau frescoed villa, the headquarters of Nazareno Gabrielli’s leather goods company, and the furniture maker Poltrona Frau since 1962.
The name Interno Marche, meaning “Marche interior“, was specifically chosen by Franco Moschini, a businessman who has made great contributions to bringing Italian design worldwide through Poltrona Frau and brands like Cassina, Cappellini, Zanotta, and Gebrüder Thonet Vienna.
More like a home museum than a hotel, this hospitality venture is the style culmination of 60 years of furniture history. Every room is unique, inspired by a particular trend or a designer that Moschini encountered over his years in the business. One room is inspired by Luigi Massoni with a Lullaby bed under a frescoed ceiling; another is a suite overlooking the Politeama Theatre designed by De Lucchi (who also designed the wooden furnishings in its room 104); then there is G03, a tribute to Magistretti‘s creativity through his iconic Atoll and Eclipse lamps.
Next come the Volare Bed by Poltrona Frau in the room bearing Roberto Lazzeroni‘s name, and the Woodline armchair from Cassina, one of Marco Zanuso‘s emblematic pieces; Tubular pieces and a red line, like that of the Milan underground, mark the atmosphere of the Franco Albini room. The private spaces’ total designs are complemented by those of the common areas. Gebrüder Thonet’s Vienna wood and straw furniture feature prominently in the lobby, breakfast room, and lounge bar in the spacious three-bay hall that held the leather factory’s core. The bistro and spa, with original brick walls, are on the ground floor with direct access to the garden.
For a preview we can click on the designer section of the website and have fun mixing different styles and colors, from Art Nouveau to Compasso d’Oro winners, to find your favorite room. This is the playful side of design. Because, in the words of Achille Castiglioni (whose room is 202), “If you you’re not curious, forget about it.”
