Donna Emma, Capri, Italy - Photo © Francesco DolfoNothing evokes the ideals of La Dolce Vita more than the chic, sun-drenched atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast: a slow pace to be savored, a glamorous style accompanying every experience, and breathtaking scenery as a constant backdrop. It is a place associated with a lifestyle that feels both sophisticated and timeless. What better inspiration, then, for designing hospitality spaces here than the genius lociitself? With its colors, scents, and natural elements, the coast is the epitome of the perfect Mediterranean style – a style that architect Antonio Girardi has reinterpreted and translated into refined, contemporary interiors.
Founder of the studio Antonio Girardi Architect, Neapolitan by birth and Roman by adoption, Girardi has developed a personal stylistic signature over the years, defined by harmonious contrasts, refined details, and a constant dialogue between memory and contemporaneity. His vision interprets architecture as a visual narrative: each project is born from listening to the place and develops through meticulous work on materials, furnishings, and custom-made decorations. The Coast has thus become a fertile ground for experimenting with his design philosophy, where local culture and traditional styles are reworked and reinterpreted through a vision that blends aesthetic refinement and eclecticism.
For the new Donna Emma restaurant, located within the Hotel Miramalfi in Amalfi, the architect transforms a sensation into a concept: that of a terrace suspended between sky and sea. The interior constantly overlooks the landscape of the Amalfi Coast from a privileged perspective, making the view the focal point of the project. Large windows amplify the connection with the outdoors, and the architectural structure is lightened to convey the idea of floating above the sea.
The spaces are therefore essential and sophisticated, never overpowering the natural element but rather enhancing it. The ceiling, for example, is designed with soft coves that give depth and movement to the space, guiding the eye. Contrast prevails in the chromatic and material choices to add personality – the checkered floor is emblematic of this.
"With Donna Emma, I wanted to move beyond the most conventional interpretation of coastal and Mediterranean style. Not its most recognizable codes, but a reinterpretation of its essence through a contemporary and decisive language," he explains.
Meanwhile, the maritime spirit of the island of Capri guided architect Girardi in the restyling of the lounge terrace at Il Riccio restaurant. The furnishings are particularly distinctive, designed by the Antonio Girardi studio and crafted by Italian artisans: natural materials like bamboo and ceramic evoke nautical settings, the teak flooring is a direct reference to boats, while retro-style cabins recreate the charm of the sea in the 1960s, paying homage to Capri's glamorous history, all within a refined and welcoming environment.
No less impressive is the osteria a-Ma-Re Capri at the Jumeirah Capri Palace, which conveys the authentic essence of the Mediterranean through a blend of design and high craftsmanship. Here, Girardi envisioned an elegant space painted with the colors, shapes, and patterns typical of the Mediterranean character. Vietri ceramics in shades of yellow, white, and green alternate, finding their natural progression between architecture and nature, as if in a true limonaia(lemon grove).
