Inside A 17th-Century Italian Palace: Skye McAlpine’s Venetian Apartment | Design Notes

Cook and author Skye McAlpine welcomes us into her 4,000 square-foot Italian apartment — part of the 17th-century Palazzo Gradenigo — just off the Grand Canal in Venice. Layered in history, Skye McAlpine’s Venetian sanctuary maintains plenty of the palazzo’s original details, such as the 18th-century fresco in the living room and the decorative flowering of rocaille in the breakfast room. As we’re guided into the light and airy kitchen that is set apart by its high-beamed ceilings, Skye McAlpine reveals a staple festive treat… a snowy panettone cake from her cookbook ‘A Table For Friends’. In the grand dining room, Skye’s dinner table is layered with a mixture of small plates over larger plates from her ‘Tavola’ tableware collection, which is inspired by ‘la dolce vita’ or ‘the sweet life’. The snowy panettone takes centre stage as it is served on a cake stand which towers above the rest of the festive treats, to complete her “over-the-top” Christmas table. “Life is slower here. It’s unchanged, it’s like a time capsule,” McAlpine explains as she contrasts between her life in London and the Venetian way of living. “I think that’s part of the charm, it really is like stepping back into a different era”. Watch the full episode of Design Notes with Skye McAlpine, as we tour her slice of an Italian palace that is expertly decorated for the Christmas holidays. #HouseTour #Italy #Venice #Palazzo #InteriorDesign #HouseGarden #DesignNotes 00:00 - Inspiration: “It’s imperfect perfection” 02:00 - Living Room: “It’s where the real Christmas moment happens!” 05:20 - Kitchen: “I love the way that food brings people together” 07:50 - Breakfast Room: “It feels like a chocolate box…” 08:53 - Dining Room: “It feels very ramshackle” Watch more from House & Garden | Design Notes: Subscribe to House & Garden ►► CONNECT WITH HOUSE & GARDEN Web: Twitter: Facebook: Instagram: Pinterest: Newsletter: ABOUT HOUSE & GARDEN House & Garden has, for 70 years, set the gold standard in design and decoration for the home. House & Garden covers “the well-lived life”. As well as covering the most beautiful homes and gardens, House & Garden extensively features travel, wine & food, lifestyle and shopping.