The Appeal of Old Meets New: Why the World Has Fallen for Salento

The heel of Italy’s boot is now a cult destination, thanks in part to its innovative approach to design tradition

Giulia Zappa 18 March 2018

Collaboratore Houzz Magazine. Design nerd, giornalista, copywriter e docente di comunicazione, collaboro con il mondo della carta e del web per progetti editoriali e di marketing.

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Everybody adores Salento: last summer like never before, the heel of Italy became a destination for culture aficionados. What lies behind this growing love affair? Maybe the fact that its interiors magically and slowly blend old, new and exquisite.

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Soothing for the soul
What does pop diva Madonna have in common with backpackers? A deep passion for an archaic place that nevertheless manages to embrace the contemporary, having developed a singular aesthetic that makes for an out-of-the-ordinary travel experience.

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Salento is one of Italy’s southernmost regions, nestled between two seas: you can watch the sun rise over the Adriatic and disappear into the Ionian Sea. It’s an archaic, but at the same time fashionable and dynamic, locale that relishes a slow and lazy pace but is never boring. Salento is the poster child for how a peripheral region can emerge as a protagonist.

The world of design is front and centre in creating this identity. So what is it that makes Salento’s interiors so enticing and unique?

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The magical sound of vaults
Refined materials and cavernous spaces make Salento homes not unlike small cathedrals.

Among the typical features of local architecture we find the pietra leccese, a limestone rock typical of Apulia. It is used throughout the beautiful buildings in the old part of Lecce, the provincial capital, as well as many of the masserias, or fortified farm complexes, scattered about the countryside.

Easy to work with, the stone is still used to create enchanting ‘star vaults’, a type of ceiling that was popularised during the Baroque era. It has a characteristic four-pointed pattern, reminiscent of a star, where the ribs converge at the apex. Besides being ideal for cooling, these vaults make any space, even a utility room, seem monumental.

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Interiors with a touch of authenticity
Salento homes are characterised by their irregular, unpredictable structure, which only enhances their beauty. A handcrafted aesthetic prevails, evoked by niches and masonry work. This gives the spaces a dynamic feel that works well with limited colour palettes and finishes like concrete flooring.

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Down memory lane
Part of the reason Salento interiors are so loved is that they offer a chance to revive memories and get back to treasured archetypes of past design.

In this photo, for example, antiques from the 19th century are mixed with shabby farmhouse-style pieces, and even a kneeling bench and attached chair taken from a church. This balanced interior plays with white space and uses emptiness to enhance each piece.

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Old becomes new
The use of vintage furnishings is not only about recreating the past, however. Here people have been updating objects typical of the local peasant culture and using them in new ways for a fresh feel. In this photo, for example, traditional fabrics are mixed and matched with recovered tiles and old jars.

The result, especially thanks to the Smeg fridge, is deliberately vintage and avoids the tropes of industrial and loft design that we have become used to in recent years.

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Upcycling
In the many former farm buildings dotting the countryside, the old is being renewed in an unexpected way, drawing on the spirit of Arte Povera, a contemporary art movement from the 1960s that exalted quotidian materials. In this photo, old grain sieves have been transformed into unusual lampshades thanks to a bit of tongue-in-cheek upcycling, thus giving new purpose to objects that would otherwise have inevitably disappeared.

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Design-oriented
Others have taken a different approach to old-becomes-new, taking the opportunity to renew the majestic spaces scattered about the small Apulian villages and suburbs with new decor styles that are far removed from their traditional settings. That’s what has happened in Galatina, where an ancient manor has been renovated and given a sophisticated feel with a few well-selected pieces of mid-century furniture and a rarefied colour palette.

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Summer breezes
The Salento experience wouldn’t be complete without the outdoor spaces in the courts of the masserias, or fortified farmhouses, in the terraces of the small old towns or in the red-earth fields that face olive groves. In summer, all of these turn into picturesque, convivial spaces where people can gather to enjoy local food and spend time with each other.

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The new Ibiza?
It’s therefore no surprise that people already see a connection between this region and the Balearic Islands. Loved by the hippy community since the ’70s, Ibiza is a favourite destination for clubbers from all over the world. The style of its interiors is clearly local and mixes heterogeneous furniture in informal ways.

So what about Salento? Here too the rural culture and the fun vibe of clubbers and young tourists interact, so it’s possible to find traditional local pieces mixed with bold colours such as electric blue or bright turquoise. The result recalls the joyful atmospheres of naive paintings.

There’s no doubt about it: Salento’s historical buildings still have a lot to say, and their magical blend of tradition and innovation will continue speaking to visitors for years to come.

Tell us
Have you travelled to Salento? Share your experiences of this picturesque place in the Comments. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, save it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.

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joz85

Exactly as you see it in the images. I studied in Lecce 5 years ago. walking to & from the uni was like stepping into history. Beautiful limestone streets, white cobblestone paths, chunky wooden doors. it truly is a magical place.

2 Likes 25 March 2018 at 11:36am