What is the name of your accommodation?

I’m the owner of Casa Piana and property manager of Masseria Marfa Cabina and Casa Lagilda.

Before we dive into details, could you briefly introduce yourself?

I’m Alessio, 32, currently based in Puglia, where I manage a collection of properties and run Burro Café in Ostuni. At 19, I left my hometown for London — a leap from Puglia’s unhurried pace to the buzz of city life. I started out in a bustling coffee shop, an experience that opened my eyes to a completely new rhythm, and later pursued studies in marketing and business while building a career in real estate. After five years, I felt the call to return home and start my own projects in Puglia, bringing together my passions for homes, design, and hospitality.

We would love to share a bit about you as a person with our customers. Would you like to tell us more about yourself? For example: your interests, hobbies, work?

My years in London were transformative and marked the beginning of my passion for hospitality, design and homes. That passion now shapes everything I do, from Casa Piana and the other properties I manage to Burro Café in Ostuni. Casa Piana is a quiet retreat in the heart of Nardò, a small town in Puglia where life still moves with the rhythm of the seasons. It reflects my belief that a home should offer a deep sense of belonging, not only through its spaces but also through the colors, materials, and natural light that constantly transform the atmosphere throughout the day. For me, this dialogue between design and nature is what truly brings a place to life.

Burro Café is a shared project created together with my business partner, Antonella Tancredi. It grew from our mutual love of food and hospitality and from a wish to create a place in Puglia where people can meet, connect, and feel part of an international community. It was born from a desire to create something that didn’t yet exist here — a space that, like all my projects, expresses a personal sense of freedom and authenticity.

How did Casa Piana come into your life, and what inspired you to start managing other homes and turn this passion into a wider project?

In 2018, I returned to Puglia and began working with Moroseta Homes, a collection of exclusive properties across the region. That experience helped me refine my understanding of hospitality and what truly makes a space feel like home.A few years later, I discovered a small building just outside the historic center of Nardò. Its simple exterior concealed an interior full of light and potential, and that’s where my journey as an independent host began — with Casa Piana. Creating Casa Piana made me realize how much I enjoy shaping spaces that feel genuinely lived in. It naturally led me to start managing other homes and curating experiences that reflect the same balance and authenticity.

Casa Lagilda and Masseria Marfa Carbina came into my life soon after. I wasn’t involved in their construction or design, but I felt an immediate connection to both — to their architecture, atmosphere, and the way they interpret contemporary living in dialogue with the Apulian landscape. They embody my own idea of home, which is why I chose to take them under management: to welcome guests and help them experience the same warmth and belonging that first drew me in.

Casa Lagilda, designed by my close friend and architect Luca Baldazzi, unfolds around an intimate courtyard and a private pool finished with green tiles. Color defines its atmosphere, creating a vibrant yet harmonious character that feels both unique and deeply personal.

Masseria Marfa Carbina, designed by architect Massimo Brambilla, captivates with its sense of seclusion. Enclosed by tufo walls, it offers privacy while remaining close to Carovigno. The property features six ensuite bedrooms, three with private entrances, and a generous open kitchen and living area that invite convivial moments. Its hyper-minimal aesthetic offers a contemporary interpretation of the rustic essence of a traditional masseria.

When creating or caring for a home, what matters most to you, and how does that reflect your own way of living?

Working with Studio Palomba Serafini felt like a natural choice. I wanted a modern approach that respected the character of the existing space and its surroundings, resulting in a restoration that feels both balanced and confidently original. From our first meeting, Ludovica and Roberto understood my vision and translated it into something practical, intuitive, and beautifully crafted.

Casa Lagilda and Masseria Marfa Carbina, by contrast, are projects I wasn’t involved in architecturally or creatively. They were conceived and brought to life by other talented architects whose work I deeply admire. I chose to take them under management because I felt an immediate connection to their spirit and design philosophy.

These homes perfectly embody what ‘’home’’ means to me — warm, thoughtful spaces that encourage you to slow down and feel completely at ease. My role is to welcome guests into these places and offer them the same sense of belonging that first inspired me.

On a personal level, what makes the projects you manage truly special for you? 

Casa Piana is my domestic nest. Crossing its threshold means leaving behind the daily hustle and bustle and entering a space defined by stillness, light, and a deep sense of peace. The house balances private rooms with shared areas, with natural light at the heart of its design. Local materials were used throughout the renovation, some left intentionally unfinished, while the interior palette of bone, cream, and white reflects the quiet beauty of traditional Puglian architecture.

In Casa Lagilda, time seems to pause. The pool, surrounded by lush vegetation, creates an atmosphere of calm and quiet beauty. Color defines the mood of the house: each of the three bedrooms — in dark, brown, green, and red —  evokes a distinct feeling and invites you to linger a little longer in each space.

That same sense of serenity continues at Masseria Marfa Carbina, where seclusion and stillness shape the experience. It is a place to disconnect completely, to find space and quiet while remaining close to the centre. Once inside, it feels like a private world — a harmony of simplicity, privacy, and beauty that makes it so dear to my heart.

Which part of Casa Piana do you love the most, and why?

Definitely the kitchen. It’s the heart of Casa Piana and the place where I spend most of my time. I love cooking, experimenting with flavors, and sharing these moments with family and friends. Beyond its practical side, the kitchen embodies the warmth and rhythm of the house. Its large windows fill the space with light that shifts throughout the day, giving the room a different character depending on the time or weather. 

For me, it’s not just about cooking; it’s about creating memories, enjoying slow mornings, and feeling completely at home in a space that reflects both comfort and personal style.

What first inspired you to open your property to guests, and is there a particular compliment that has stayed with you?

In all my projects, I never set out to create spaces for others.I create them for myself, guided by my own vision and shaped by the experience and people that have influenced me along the way. Everything begins with what feels authentic to me.

The most meaningful compliment I’ve ever received is when guests tell me that my work has inspired them — that visiting the properties has sparked a desire to create something of their own. It’s deeply rewarding to know that my vision can help others recognize what they were searching for but hadn’t yet found. When guests step into a property and truly connect with it, appreciating not just the design but the feeling of being at home, that is the greatest compliment I could ever receive.

Do you have any recommendations for guests to fully enjoy their holiday? Your valuable tips will be featured on your accommodation's page!

To truly experience Puglia, I recommend blending the region’s iconic sights with small, personal discoveries. Wander through Bari’s lively streets for fresh past and street food, explore the seaside charm of Monopoli and Polignano a Mara, and lose yourself in Ostuni’s whitewashed historic center. Around Nardò , life moves at a slower rhythm — surrounded by olive groves and close to beautiful beaches like Porto Selvaggio and Santa Caterina. Carovigno, on the other hand, offers elegance, great restaurants, and a network of picturesque streets to explore.

My advice is simple: take your time, follow the light and the flavors, and let the region reveal itself to you.