As organisers gear up for the Lake Como Design Festival (September 12-20) we are delighted to accept an invitation to take a tour with one of Italy’s leading design influencers.
As the CEO of Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como, Valentina de Santis has spent a lifetime immersed in the artistry, craftsmanship and heritage that define the region.
Far beyond the famous villas, Valentina’s insider recommendations reveal a different side of Lake Como — from family-run silk houses and independent jewellers to hidden trattorias, Rationalist architecture, artisan workshops and extraordinary contemporary art spaces.
It’s a guide to experiencing the lake as locals do, uncovering the people and places that have shaped Como’s design identity for generations.
Her highlights include:-
Casabianca – the De Santis family’s newest cultural venture and one of Como’s most exciting recent openings. Conceived by Paolo and Antonella De Santis as a living salon for contemporary art, the historic villa has recently unveiled three extraordinary art suites, allowing guests to spend the night immersed amongst museum-worthy contemporary works, Gio Ponti details, vintage Italian design and bespoke interiors.
A private visit to Mantero, Como’s legendary family-owned silk manufacturer, where guests can discover the craftsmanship behind textiles created for many of the world’s leading luxury fashion houses, before exploring one of Europe’s most remarkable textile archives.
Behind-the-scenes access to the beautifully restored Teatro Sociale, Como’s historic opera house and an architectural jewel often referred to as “Little La Scala”.
Independent boutiques including Gioielleria Felice Gabaglio, one of Como’s most respected family jewellers, and Moresi, where beautifully crafted knitwear has championed local textiles since 1977.
Design also extends back to Grand Hotel Tremezzo itself, where over a century of heritage sits alongside carefully curated contemporary collaborations.
From the hotel’s Sense of Lake boutique, showcasing independent Italian designers and artisans, to bespoke experiences introducing guests to the makers behind Como’s creative legacy, the property offers a natural gateway into the region’s enduring design culture.
Photographs – The imposing Hotel Tremezzo (top), art in residence at Casabianca (centre), hospitality at Tremezzo, Como’s beautiful opera house (bottom), and, inset, our host Valentina.
More
Como Design Festival – www.lakecomodesignfestival.com/en
Hotel Tremezzo – www.grandhoteltremezzo.com/en/
