Original featureInside Venice’s most extraordinary hotel interiorsVogue Singapore · 22 October 2026 →

The Architectural Context and Brief

Venice presents a distinct set of conservation challenges for any interior architect. Working within the guarded envelope of a 17th-century palazzo requires balancing heritage preservation with the functional demands of high-end hospitality. The brief called for an interior narrative that respects the building’s aristocratic past while offering a fresh, distinctly modern visual language.

Celestino approached the structure not as a museum, but as a living canvas. Rather than masking the building’s patina, the design highlights original plasterwork, ceiling heights, and historical layouts, anchoring every intervention in the context of the lagoon city.

Signature Palette, Materials and Forms

Known for her sophisticated command of colour and historical reference, Celestino employs a refined palette drawn from Venetian traditions without slipping into pastiche. Muted tones of sage, dusty rose, and lagoon blue sit alongside rich textiles, custom lacquered surfaces, and polished brass details.

Forms are softly geometric and sculptural, referencing mid-century modernism through a classical lens. Upholstery fabrics mimic historic Venetian textiles while utilising modern technical weaves, creating tactile contrast against restored terrazzo flooring and timber beams.

Craftsmanship and Heritage Makers

The execution of Elizabeth Unique Venice relies heavily on regional Italian artisans and specialized makers. Local stucco workers, glassblowers, and textile mills were commissioned to produce bespoke elements that could not be sourced off-the-shelf.

This commitment to localized fabrication ensures that the interiors remain tied to Venetian craft traditions. Every piece of custom millwork and freestanding furniture is designed to articulate a specific relationship with the historic rooms it inhabits.

Translating the Aesthetic to Private Residences

Homeowners looking to borrow from Celestino’s approach can do so across varying budgets. At a foundational level, investing in restored architectural details—such as cornicing, timber flooring, or heritage wall finishes—establishes a strong historical anchor.

For mid-tier updates, introduce custom-upholstered seating in textured velvets or bouclé, paired with lacquered occasional tables. At the highest tier, commission bespoke glass lighting and hand-printed wallcoverings from historic Italian ateliers to replicate the layered depth of a master-designed palazzo.

Related reads

• 15 Dreamy Hotels in Venice to Book for Your Next Italian Getaway (Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Oct 2026)
• Cristina Celestino Reimagines a 17th-Century Palazzo as a Boutique Hotel in Venice (Archiproducts, 15 Oct 2026)
• Inside Elizabeth Unique Venice: A Historic Palazzo Reimagined By Cristina Celestino (Interior Design Magazine, 10 Sep 2026)
• Inside Venice’s most extraordinary hotel interiors (Vogue Singapore, 22 Oct 2026)
• The most exciting hotels that opened in Europe this summer, recommended by the editors who were first through the doors (CN Traveller, 3 Sep 2026)

Sources & credits

• Feature: Inside Venice’s most extraordinary hotel interiors — Vogue Singapore. Linked, not reproduced.
• Headlines via Google News RSS; content belongs to the linked publishers.

Videos are embedded from their original YouTube channels and remain the property of their publishers; ClubProperty hosts no third-party footage or photography. Prices and details are as reported by the sources linked above at the time of writing. Nothing here is financial advice.