It is the Byblos Art-Hotel, a splendid hotel-gallery in Villa Amistà that journalist Paola Dezza in Il Sole 24 Ore calls ‘Hotel with a view of art’.
Indeed, looking at its history, it seems to be so: built on the remains of a Roman residence, Villa Amistà was built partly in the 15th century in Venetian style by architect Michele Sanmicheli, partly in the 18th century by architect Ignazio Pellegrini, and still preserves original frescoes and artefacts from both eras, recovered and restored.
But what made this hotel special was, above all, the courage and passion for beauty – in all its forms – of Dino Facchini – founder of the Byblos brand – who, in concert with designer Alessandro Mendini, united past and present through contemporary furnishings and unique pieces.
The recent renovation of the bathrooms marked the birth of a fruitful collaboration between the Hotel and Stone Italiana, chosen to dress the wall coverings and tops of these rooms.
Particularly original are the designs that characterise the shower coverings, designed to reproduce the images of the famous Chinese puzzle Tangram; each figure is different from the other, but all are created in the creative laboratory of Stone Italiana, which has created customised colours for these.
We asked the protagonists about the details of the partnership, to get to know the creative nuances directly from their experience.
The result is an interesting and original double interview with Beatriz Millar – artist, painter, teacher and bathroom interior designer – and Roberto Dalla Valle – President of Stone Italiana.
Beatriz, you personally curated the interior design of the bathrooms, again mixing pop tones and plastic shapes with the older style of the Villa. You chose to do this by relying on the Made in Italy quality of Stone Italiana quartz, which has been in the world of interior finishes for 45 years. Can you tell us how your collaboration came about and what guided your preference? What aesthetic and functional evaluations?
When Dino Facchini personally asked me to take over the artistic direction of the renovation of the Byblos Art Hotel bathrooms, I wasted no time and set out to find a supplier who could interpret my wishes and the overall style of the Hotel.
A colleague of mine presented me with the possibility of Stone Italiana, for its unique, precious products suitable for a structure like this.
I was a bit apprehensive, because I had in mind the idea of combining positive, joyful, fresh colours, but I couldn’t find anyone who could actually realise it, without falling back on pre-packaged standard products.
When I first met Roberto Dalla Valle in the workshop in Zimella, my doubts unravelled in an instant.
He listened attentively to my idea and then exclaimed: ‘Don’t worry, we can do anything!’
From a preparatory drawing of mine, Stone Italiana was able to propose the colours I wanted to see: one test after another made us hit the target in a very short time.
Roberto, what are the features of the project that won you over?
I still remember when I first met Beatriz and Dino Facchini in our workshop. They were a bit hesitant and I tried to reassure them right away.
After all, this is the job I have been doing for 45 years and I have never been afraid to throw myself into new adventures. This project then interested me particularly, because of the esteem I have for Dino and the great value of the Hotel.
I decided to follow him personally: my ‘boys’ and I spent a good 20 days in the workshop experimenting, correcting and trying again, until we achieved the desired colours.
At a certain point, Beatriz trusted – and therefore entrusted -: our journey started from there.
Beatriz, what do you consider to be the strengths of the collaboration and what are the pluses of Stone Italiana material?
There are many, but one thing in particular fascinated me in working with them: although they produce material for airports, restaurants, shops, skyscrapers, subways all over the world, that of Stone Italiana is a craftsmanship that reflects the Made in Italy style.
Attention to detail, research, elegance, style.
And then the resistance of the material, fundamental for me! The Company has given me this certainty: we have created a bathroom that lasts over time and does not deteriorate with daily use or with the water that wets bathroom furniture and spaces every day.
In a time when everything is ‘fast’ (fast fashion, fast food, super fast) it is necessary to rethink our investments: betting on a product that has a long life means choosing the best not only for us, but also for our environment.
From the Dubai Metro to the Naples Metro, to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, to the boutiques of major fashion brands in New York, Asia and Europe. And also shopping centres, restaurants, international residential projects. All over the world the Stone Italiana product wins and convinces.
Roberto, what is the secret, after 45 years in the world of furniture?
If I didn’t have the passion I feel, I wouldn’t be here!
I am 80 years old, but I still feel young.
As I often say to my co-workers: ‘as long as we have heads and legs… we can run!’
And then we still have lots of ideas to bring to the market…
