It’s no secret that our property is much more than just a place to stay, surrounded by the luxury and elegance you deserve. The Antica Torre Tornabuoni is a historic residence immersed in art, with rooms whose walls, decorated with frescoes, are true masterpieces.
Like our magnificent Florence, which constantly restores its masterpieces to preserve their original beauty and prevent deterioration over time, we too take great care in preserving our works of art. This time, the focus of the restoration is on the Classic Rooms.
For Room 506, a grapevine motif was chosen. Inspired by an Egyptian fresco and reproduced from a decoration in Palazzo Davanzati, this room pays tribute to Florence and Tuscany, celebrating the centuries-old tradition of wine, grapes, and enology, elements that define the identity of this land.
A Shared Historical and Cultural Heritage
However, winemaking excellence is not limited to Tuscany: just to the south lies the Etruscan Tuscia, a region also renowned for its long vinous tradition, which is still thriving today and inspired the choice of the grape motif for this suite.
Covering the southern part of Tuscany, Upper Lazio, and part of Umbria, Tuscia is a region rich in history and culture, where viticulture has played a fundamental role since ancient times, creating a deep connection between these two regions united by a passion for wine.
Today, the area is experiencing a vinous renaissance, thanks to passionate producers who are highlighting the region’s native varieties. From Lake Bolsena to Civitella d’Agliano and Orvieto, the region offers ideal conditions for growing Grechetto and producing extraordinary sweet wines, favored by the humid microclimate created by the lake and the Corbara dam. This abundance makes Tuscia a true enogastronomic treasure.
Striped Walls
For Room 402, a striped pattern was chosen. “The design of stripes can be considered an archetype with a heraldic dimension, often found in coats of arms, medieval tournaments, and camp tents,” explains Corina Ceruti of Places Milano, responsible for the restoration. “When positioned vertically, stripes create the illusion of expanding the space. Our room is enhanced by the vertical stripes, which give a sense of spaciousness and elegance.”
From Politics to Fashion
In addition to the visual effects, stripes have a fascinating history that adds further significance to the decor. During the Middle Ages, stripes symbolized disorder and were relegated to the clothing of outcasts—slaves, servants, heretics, and the condemned—becoming a social stigma. In 1254, when Louis IX of France returned from a failed crusade, the monks who accompanied him were despised for wearing striped cloaks, which were seen as a visual insult. At the time, stripes were rejected for breaking the harmony of surfaces, viewed as symbols of order and meaning.
With the Old Regime, this pattern gained elitist status: vertical stripes began to distinguish aristocrats, while horizontal stripes were reserved for servants. During the French Revolution, inspired by cockades and the tricolor flag, stripes became a symbol of change, adopting new color combinations and styles. The rebellious spirit of the sans-culottes, who wore striped trousers, soon crossed the ocean and inspired the American Revolution. In 1777, in the state of Maryland, the iconic American flag was born with its 13 horizontal stripes.
In the 19th century, the striped pattern gained popularity with nautical fashion, inspired by sailors’ uniforms. In 1858, the French Navy officially adopted the famous blue and white tricot rayé. Later, beach style invaded beaches and wardrobes, establishing itself as casual fashion. At the beginning of the 20th century, Coco Chanel immortalized the Breton sweater, inspired by the clothing of French fishermen. With the industrialization of textiles, stripes found space not only in fashion but also in interior decoration, bringing the charm of the beaches of Forte dei Marmi directly into homes.