Travelers: at home with Valentina Barabuffi
Italian globe-trotter, Valentina Barabuffi was born under the Tuscan sun in the small town of Cortona, and now lives in Florence. Her passion for photography and travel leads her around the Mediterranean, discovering new places that are “a never-ending exercise in beauty”, although her heart is rooted in Italy.
Her love affair with the Mediterranean begins in Puglia, where many of Valentina’s family now live. She describes the Italian region beautifully: “I love the chromatic contrast of the blue of the sea and the white of the ‘masserie’. Expanses of olive trees and small abandoned trulli follow one after another along the roads, from the north of the region to the southern villages of Magna Graecia.”
Living in Italy, Valentina feels appreciation for the architecture, the villages, the sea and the light that surround her. There is beauty everywhere - from the dazzling light reflected on the water to the Renaissance masterpieces adorning gallery walls in her home city. The Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown have forced her to rethink ‘home’ over the past year, creating a place where she can share intimate moments and feel safe and comfortable.
Valentina lives with her partner, Antonio and four-year old son in an apartment in Florence, in a quiet yet lively area close to the historic quarter of Sant’ Ambrogio. She spends weekend mornings shopping for produce, fresh bread and flowers at the local market, hunting for vintage gems and having lunch at traditional restaurants such as Cibreo or Gilda Bistrot.
Both Valentina and her boyfriend are passionate about design - she loves vintage and handcrafted objects while he has a more modern and functional style. When choosing objects for their home, they compromise and select items that are a mix of their preferences, such as their Le Corbusier lamps from the 1950’s. Valentina’s favourite objects in the house include their round leather mirror by Jacques Adnet and the ‘Marshmallow’ sofa that was designed by George Nelson for Vitra. She loves to hunt for vintage objects in flea markets and is particularly passionate about collecting handmade ceramics - her favourite pieces are by Nicola Fasano from Puglia.
During the first lockdown in Spring 2020, Valentina spent time at her childhood home in the countryside, where she enjoyed spending time in the large garden, reading and picnicking beneath the shade of the trees. During this time, she unearthed her grandmother’s loom-woven tablecloths, embroidered white cotton dresses and her mother’s books. These objects are among her most precious belongings, representing her childhood and a sense of timeless simplicity.
At home in Florence, Valentina loves to lie in bed at night, admiring the stars through the window above her bed. This large window allows light to shine into the room throughout the day, creating beautiful shadows on the walls. Painted in white and featuring custom-made white wooden furniture, the space feels calm and relaxing. The dark floorboards and treasured black and white photographs taken by Antonio provide the perfect contrast to an otherwise pale and bright space. Other beloved objects that make Valentina feel at home include carefully considered homewares: “I love using linen and pure cotton sheets, soaps from Officina Profumo Santa Maria Novella and scented candles from Officine Universelle Buly or Byredo. Using candles with different scents throughout the day makes the home warm and welcoming.”
Valentina loves to welcome guests into her home, hosting dinners for friends in the Italian spirit. Antonio cooks and she takes care of the table setting and ambience. For her, one of the highlights of hosting is seeing her home full of life, people, voices and music. Their open-plan living space was designed with hosting in mind, allowing guests to move freely and keeping an open flow of conversation between the kitchen and lounge. When asked to share her top tip for hosting, Valentina reminds us that it is all about the guests, making them feel at ease, ensuring their comfort but respecting their privacy.
