In this edition of Designer Travels, Steven Cooper, owner and principal designer of Cooper Pacific, leads us through his recent trip through Italy, culminating in this year’s Salone del Mobile.
Destination: Rome, Umbria, Positano, Milan.
Month traveled: April
Duration of trip: Two and a half weeks
Temperature range: Mornings began in the mid-50s, afternoons reached into the mid-70s. Evenings in Rome and Milan were perfect for light jackets and walking while Umbria brought the kind of weather that makes landscapes feel like an oil painting come to life.
Solo trip or vacation with family/friends? A design-centered journey with my wife and business partner. She shares a keen eye for craftsmanship and a love for the details that define a place. Salone del Mobile was our final destination while we wove our way through the country.
First visit or repeat destination? It was a repeat visit, but Italy always has a way of reinventing itself depending on your focus.
What drew you to this locale?
Italy always calls. We came for design week, and Salone del Mobile offers that rare, electric moment when the world’s design minds converge. Everywhere you turn, the city hums with innovation, yet the streets themselves whisper centuries of history, reminding you that inspiration is always rooted in the past.
The lodgings…
Just steps from the Spanish Steps, J.K. Place Roma feels less like a grand hotel and more like the residence of a discerning collector. Thoughtful art, curated antiques, and layered textures create rooms that feel intimate yet undeniably refined. It’s a retreat that feels personal, even in the heart of the city.
Reschio Estate, nestled in the rolling hills of Umbria, is a revelation for anyone passionate about restoration and adaptive reuse. Construction on the present castle began around the year 900, and former farmhouses dating back centuries have been meticulously reimagined, their interiors embracing imperfections while welcoming contemporary touches. A sculptural chandelier in a vaulted stable and custom ironwork along an ancient stair honor the past, while life at Reschio unfolds at a deliberate pace, truffle hunts with the estate dogs, horseback rides through the hills, and afternoons by the pool. A highlight of the grounds is Nic Fiddian Green’s monumental Still Water horse sculpture, inspired by Reschio’s Spanish purebreds and carved from luminous Carrara marble. Its twin rises at London’s Marble Arch, carrying the same serene balance of strength and stillness. One in pastoral tranquility, the other amid the city’s rhythm.
Along the Ligurian coast, Splendido Mare, a Belmond Hotel in Portofino, embodies effortless Italian chic. Vintage furnishings and custom lighting create a layered, lived-in charm, while pastel façades frame interiors rich with Ligurian art. Suites open to balconies or terraces, perfectly capturing the glamour of the Italian Riviera. Portofino invites window shopping, art galleries like Galleria d’Arte Cascio, and a memorable risotto at Ristorante Da I Gemelli.
Must-sees for design and architecture lovers…
If you love design and architecture, Milan is an absolute playground. Design Week is the ultimate moment to see the world’s leading designers and brands gathered in one place, but even beyond the fair, the city itself is endlessly inspiring. Vintage furniture lovers should wander Rubirosa, while tabletop aficionados will find treasures at Cabana, Richard Ginori, and Laboratorio Paravicini. The Bagatti Valsecchi Museum is a must, not just for its architecture, but for the perfume house inside and the Renaissance courtyard where you can linger over lunch.
For contemporary inspiration, L’Appartamento by Artemest offers a lesson in layering, craftsmanship, and unexpected combinations. Don’t miss Vesta in Brera, it’s a modern architectural gem where you can enjoy staircase aperitivos like a local.
Of course, shopping in Milan is a design education in itself: the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Prada’s original 1913 boutique, and the sweets and cappuccino at Pasticceria Marchesi are all part of the experience. Even the evening parties, hosted by Gessi or Missoni, are lessons in presentation, detail, and style. Milan teaches you to see design everywhere, from historical elegance to cutting-edge innovation, and to savor it all with the city’s effortless flair.
Postcard moment…
There was one moment on Lake Como that truly took my breath away. We visited Studio DB’s show villa in Torno, a waterfront home that has been in the same family for generations. Stepping inside felt like entering a living masterpiece. Light poured through expansive windows, illuminating layered textures and every thoughtfully considered detail.
But it wasn’t just the villa itself. Wandering through the gardens, with moss growing over rocks, gravel pathways winding through intimate corners, and a private waterfall tucked into the landscape, felt like moving through a living painting. The seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, with the lake literally at the doorstep, reminded me how architecture and nature can converse to elevate both. After exploring, we lingered over aperitivos and homemade lasagna, the sun glinting off the water beyond.
Souvenirs…
When I travel through Italy, I’m always searching for small treasures that tell a story, aside from the inevitable cases of wine and olive oil I ship home, of course! In Milan, I discovered an 18th-century frame, now proudly hanging on my dining room wall, its patina a quiet reminder of where it came from. In Rome, it was an alabaster lamp for my desk. It’s soft, sculptural, and gently luminous, casting the kind of light that feels like memory. I’m forever drawn to pieces with history and texture, objects that slip effortlessly into a room yet carry the weight of their past. They add soul, warmth, and a sense of life well lived, layers that make a home feel truly collected rather than simply decorated.
Lasting influence…
Italy is the ultimate lesson in restraint and romance. It teaches that true luxury isn’t about flash, it’s about feeling. The worn stone beneath your feet, linen curtains catching the sun, they stay with you long after you leave. Inspired by these moments, I returned with a softer, more layered palette for our new showroom display at the Pacific Design Center. I’m embracing pieces that feel collected and soulful, with just a hint of imperfection. It’s about patina, texture, and the quiet elegance of spaces that feel lived in yet effortlessly refined.
Greatest takeaway…
The unexpected is where the magic lives. We had one night with no hotel booked and no destination in mind, and we simply drove. That night led to a long, slow lunch in Montepulciano, then Portofino by moonlight. It was perfection! Sometimes the most beautiful moments aren’t designed, they just unfold. I’m learning to leave space for that. In life, in work, in everything.
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