This was my very first commercial interior design project and my goal was to create a warm, inviting dining atmosphere reminiscent of a true masseria. In the region of Puglia, in Southern Italy, a masseria is a fortified farmhouse, and many of them in Italy have now been transformed into restaurants or hotels.

We wanted rustic-and-relaxed with plenty of old-world charm, using a wide mix of textures and materials was also important in achieving the restaurant’s theme. Oversized iron sconces, I designed were custom made from antique wrought iron gates which punctuate the burnished, textured walls. Artful displays of antique farm tools are mixed with authentic Italian photographs. The owners and I selected all stones framing the arched wines bins along the long wall, which actually used to be windows overlooking a public park that had terrible fluorescent lighting, so I filled them in for wine storage.  I also designed the eight-foot double height chandelier at the rear of the restaurant which features three antique wagon wheels with a total of 30 lights. Now, almost 16 years after La Masseria first opened their doors I think the design of a welcoming restaurant with all the Italian nostalgia and charm, not to mention fabulous food and service still stands the test of design time!