Design trends: Lessons from a Venetian palazzo

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Some of the most memorable design lessons come while travelling. Stepping into unfamiliar places can shift our perspective, revealing new ways to use colour, arrange a room or bring historic architecture into the present. Often, it’s a detail that stays with us: a beautifully worn surface or an unexpected material pairing that changes how we see our own spaces. That was the case on a recent trip to Italy, where I visited Aman Venice, a hotel set inside the 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli. Here, Venetian grandeur has been thoughtfully reimagined for modern life. 

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Frescoes, terrazzo flooring, gilded ceilings and silk-covered walls could make the palazzo feel more like a museum than a place to stay. Yet its mix of contemporary furnishings brings a welcome ease. “The existing architecture was left to speak for itself, with the new furniture, colours and materials kept simple and elegant,” says Licinio Garavaglia, general manager of Aman Venice. 

The palette picks up softer tones from the historic interiors, allowing their richness to shine without overwhelming the eye. It’s an idea worth borrowing at home. Begin with something you love, such as a patterned rug, a striking artwork or the warmth of original woodwork, and let it guide the choices around it. 

Choosing artwork as that starting point also offers flexibility. “Art can bring so much colour and personality into a space, especially if you don’t want to commit to colour on the walls or furnishings,” says Tiffany Leigh, principal designer and founder of Tiffany Leigh Design. “It’s low commitment since you can always move it.” 

The palazzo also shows how old and new can enrich each other. Understated furniture sits beneath ornate ceilings; salons once used by the Papadopoli family to entertain now welcome hotel guests. The original layout guides this new purpose, while heritage details give each area an identity. 

In your own home, that might mean placing a contemporary sofa alongside an inherited side table or bringing an antique chair into an otherwise spare bedroom. The pieces don’t need to share a period or even a wood finish. “I truly believe the key to making a space feel collected over time…is to collect over time,” says Leigh, who looks for unique finds in antique shops and on Facebook Marketplace. “Buy what you love!” 

Part of that appeal lies in the imperfections that develop with use. Garavaglia says visitors respond to the palazzo’s authentic interiors precisely because they are not in perfect condition. A vintage mirror with softly mottled glass or terracotta tiles that have grown richer through the years can offer a similar sense of history, making those signs of age part of the design. 

Aman’s grand rooms reveal how comfort can soften an imposing scale. Upholstered seating and tactile fabrics invite guests to settle in, while muted hues let the elaborate surroundings breathe. Warm pools of light create a more intimate atmosphere; Garavaglia says their glow recalls an era when the rooms were lit by hundreds of candles. 

For Leigh, that feeling is what makes a space truly luxurious. “To me, luxury is a crackling fire or lit candles, a stack of good books, and a worn-in armchair or sofa. You can’t have luxury without comfort.” The same thinking works in a room of any size: position a lamp where someone likes to read, choose seating that feels as good as it looks and keep everyday essentials within reach. 

Outside, the hotel’s garden offers a quiet spot to sit among the greenery and watch life unfold along the Grand Canal. A similar retreat is possible on a much smaller scale. On a condo terrace, Leigh used lattice to create privacy and let climbing vines grow around a bar cart, turning an exposed outdoor area into a place to unwind. 

At Aman Venice, each new layer takes its cue from the palazzo’s existing character, an approach that translates beautifully to home. An architectural feature, a favourite piece or a view can help shape how you introduce an idea discovered on your travels. Leigh suggests starting with one element that stayed with you and considering how it could work in your own setting. “Honouring a sense of place in a home is so important,” she says. The result? A space that reflects both where you’ve been and where you belong.

aman.com, tiffanyleighdesign.com 

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