Italian design icon Gio Ponti was our all-around renaissance man of the 20th century. But I think it was his creation of the Hotel dei Principi on the grounds of the Villa Poggio Siracusa in Sorrento that best exhibits his whimsical side and displays just how super-hip a guy he was.
Overlooking the Gulf of Naples near the island of Capri, the Hotel dei Principi was conceived then built in the early 1960's. Every detail from the architecture to the china was designed by Mr. Ponti. Because it has been historically registered it's recent renovation kept those details to near exact original specifications. Seeing it today it is still so visually arresting, one wonders what it would have been like to encounter this level of design 40 years ago.
But I digress. For us tile nerds- it is Ponti's ceramic gems that set this landmark apart creating the ultimate shrine o' tile. The fact that Hotel dei Principi is wrapped in blue and white just adds to our tile homage. Thanks to Remodelista for sharing the story.
******
******
******
******
******
******
******
BONUS: Click here for a fascinating video on Gio Ponti and pictures of the original Hotel dei Principi.