Parco dei Sesi: An Oasis on an Italian Island (With 9 Design Ideas to Borrow)

The best kind of souvenir? A design idea to implement at home.

Today we’re taking a look at Parco dei Sesi, a “guest house, artist residency, and organic farm” with the dreamiest of interiors. It’s located on the island of Pantelleria, an Italian commune in the Mediterranean Sea, midway between Italy and Tunisia. Here are a few design lessons to apply at home.

Photography via Parco dei Sesi.

1. Design for the landscape.

Above: Parco dei Sesi is surrounded by the archeological Sesi park on the island of Pantelleria. It offers 26 rooms within 13 buildings, among them Il Grande Dammuso, built in the style of the dwelling on Pantelleria designed to work with the particular environment of the island, like a domed roof for collecting rainwater. (Read more about dammusi here.)

2. Mix materials.

Above: In Il Grande Dammuso, the kitchen is an appealing mix of materials: concrete, wood cabinet fronts, a generous marble sink, tile, and plaster.

3. Add practical decor.

Above: On display: Italian splatterware and a handmade broom. Note also the simple curtain for hiding kitchenware.
Above: The hoteliers Massimiliano Panseca, who spent childhood summers in the main dammuso, according to Departures, and Margot Panseca “have brought their love for raw materials, imperfections, curated objects, and art” to the interiors.

4. Choose a foolproof palette.

Above: Each guest house follows a striking formula: Black + white + one impactful color is a winning combination.

5. Rethink built-ins.

Above: Inventive, appealingly minimal built-ins appear throughout, like these stone sleeping alcoves (and stairs).

6. Embrace arches.

Above: Arches and curves are in; here, one sculptural niche hosts a guest shower.

7. Bring back the coverlet.

Above: A simple coverlet on the bed is pure summer.

8. Or make a monotone bed.

Above: Elsewhere, a built-in with a narrow mattress—dressed entirely in green—is always at the ready for an afternoon nap.

9. Eat outside.

Above: Meals are served at communal tables.
Above: Or in a tucked-away enclave.

Above: Or overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

For more and to book, head to Parco dei Sesi.

And for more island stays, might we suggest:

• An Artful Hotel on the Swedish Island of Gotland
• The Monica Hotel: Flowers and Line-Dried Linens on an Island in Denmark
• Menorca Experimental: Summer Is Just Getting Going at this Chic New Island Resort

N.B.: This story originally ran on August 9, 2023 and has been updated.