Nestled amongst centuries-old olive groves in the heart of Apulia, Italy, stands “Il Trullo Rosso” (The Red Trullo), a striking example of the power of handcrafted design and personal connection. This unique project, dubbed OZIO (Italian for “leisure” or “idleness”), is the brainchild of Silvia Indiveri and Rosalia Laghezza, who have transformed a traditional trullo complex into a welcoming hospitality space that celebrates both local heritage and global inspiration.
The project’s essence lies in its “homemade” nature, a collaborative effort involving the client family, local artisans, and the design team. This personal touch is evident in every detail, from the room names – “one,” “two,” and “three,” a nod to the three siblings in the client’s family – to the logo, designed by Claudia Santoro. The logo cleverly reinterprets the iconic conical trullo roof, symbolizing both the structure and the familial bond through interconnected, irregular circles.
Externally, the trullo maintains its traditional form, but with a striking twist: its main body is painted a rich, earthy red, as if rising directly from the Apulian soil. This deep hue connects the building to its landscape, while a similar earthy tone graces the external walls and the swimming pool. The pool, reminiscent of the region’s ancient conco (rainwater collection basins), sits parallel to the olive rows, further integrating the structure with its surroundings.
The design prioritizes biocompatible materials, including lime-based plasters pigmented with natural oxides, quarry gravel, and permeable paving. These choices evoke the natural pathways worn over time, blending seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The landscaping itself features native Mediterranean scrub, with much of the ground left as bare earth, maintaining the earthy palette and strengthening the connection to the olive grove.
The interiors offer a vibrant contrast to the rustic exterior. Bold color combinations, drawing inspiration from beyond Apulia, juxtapose with the warm white of the exposed stonework, highlighting the traditional building techniques. This creates a striking dialogue between old and new, local and global. Traditional elements are interwoven with a personal minimalism, characterized by uniform finishes and clean geometric lines, emphasizing simplicity over ornamentation.
Integrated, fixed furnishings define the spaces, making the architecture itself the primary decorative element. Lightweight partitions, such as curtains, offer flexibility, while minimal lighting fixtures ensure that the light itself becomes the decoration at night, with transparent or wall-colored sconces virtually disappearing during the day.
OZIO is more than just a renovation; it is a deeply personal project. The clients themselves oversaw both the design and the finishing work (carried out by New Decor by Carlo Indiveri), and many of the movable furnishings and plants were sourced from family gardens and storerooms. This intimate approach imbues the trullo with the essence of those who brought it to life, transforming it from a traditional structure of lime and stone into a vessel filled with personal stories, images, and inspirations gathered from across the globe.
A stay at OZIO is not simply a visit to Apulia; it’s a layered experience, a journey within a journey. It’s an immersion in handcrafted design, familial connection, and the beautiful intersection of local heritage and global perspectives, all wrapped within the warm embrace of a striking red trullo.