Villa Albergoni

Step into 1980s Italy with the aristocratic summer estate that stole our hearts.

Living Rooms is a column on YGL that takes a closer look into the designs, details, and character of spaces. A study of what makes a house a home, even when it’s fictional. Here’s to our humble abodes!

from the much loved film Call Me By Your Name. This 15,000 square foot summer residence might just be the real star of Luca Guadagnino’s award winning motion picture. But I’ll leave that up for debate.

A few months back I shared a personal essay about trespassing onto the property of this well-worn 16th century mansion. I’m excited to finally share the interiors that encouraged my solo venture through rural Italy with you. Located in picturesque Crema, this villa captivated the hearts of its viewers through the authentic details that perfectly embodied the story of the fictional Perlman family. Welcome to the Villa Albergoni!

© All photos by Giulio Ghirardi

The place is a bit of a fixer upper—and that’s exactly what starts to slowly pull you in. Fabrics are faded and the couches have grooves. There’s a real patina and charm to the furnishings, bringing a sense of nostalgia and familiarity you might even mistake as your own. The family cares for the house even though they don’t necessarily prioritize keeping it up all that well. It’s good enough. And we don’t see ‘good enough’ celebrated all that often so we start to fall even more in love with it. The Perlman’s accept the house as it is. And in return, it encourages them to slow down, focus on their studies, and enjoy the pleasures that come with long hot summer days. Luckily for us as the viewer, we get to do the same.

Before we move on, let’s take a moment for Mr. Perlman’s office (pictured above). Isn’t that something? Go ahead, zoom in and really give it a good look.

Moving along through the kitchen—I never thought I could love such a cluttered and dated mess but this space just sings! It’s full of memories, skinned knees, late nights, and out of town guests. It knows how to perfectly poach an egg and roast a chicken. I honestly can’t imagine any of these items being props. They’ve been in this kitchen, used and loved, for generations. Right? I guess that’s the magic of cinema and genius of good design.

“We created an interior that expressed how this family of intellectuals, of cosmopolitan people, lived.” - Luca Guadagnino

The director, Luca Guadagnino, and his team (production designer Samuel Dehors and set designer Violante Visconti di Modrone) were a creative trio de force. Together they assembled an atmosphere of leisure, sensuality, history, and promise. An incredibly convincing summer estate, set in 1983, that was passed down to the Perlmans. A family who are not considered wealthy, but who are intellectual, cultured, and well travelled. Their furnishings demonstrate how they collect for practical usage and not for impressing guests. The piano is played, the books are read, and the seats are sat on. I like to think the items that we look at and interact with everyday influence our emotions and behaviours. It’s no wonder the Perlman’s are well versed in music, art, and literature—they’re living in it.

Ground Floor Plan by @fplancroissant

“I loved the space and I knew the house. In fact, I wanted to buy the house, but I couldn’t afford it. I knew that I could do something meaningful there, so I made a film instead.” - Luca Guadagnino

I think one of the reasons viewers were so drawn to this villa is because of Luca’s love for it. This space wasn’t a backdrop for the movie, it was a main character. Almost the narrator, allowing each personality to feel infinitely more real. Every frame feels like an intimate and genuine glimpse into both the past and present lives of this family. A great example of this is Elio’s bedroom. From every book on his desk to every poster on the wall, there are so many opportunities to learn more about him.

And if you’re curious what a young man in 1980s Italy was reading, someone actually compiled the list for us.

I would also like to point out the shutters on the windows. Big, heavy, and wooden—both inside and out of the villa. So clunky and sure of themselves. Just like the doors to each room—solid and loud. Everything about these older villas is a statement. From the arched ceilings with original frescoes, to the parquet flooring and fireplaces big enough to charge rent in.

It makes me want to burn all my Ikea furniture and start attending auctions and estate sales.

Yet even with all its grandiosity, it’s still approachable. Like an old friend you haven’t seen in years, but around them, you know you can be yourself. The bones are brilliant enough that it doesn’t require flashy accessories. It’s not as shiny as it once was, but it’s worn with love.

I’m obviously biased, I flew all the way to Italy to see it for myself, but I really do think it’s something special. A timeless place we can visit as often as we desire.

So what are your thoughts? I would love to hear from you.

Have you ever visited a location from a book or movie that you love?

What is your favourite fictional home?

Ciao ciao,

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Footnote: If you’re looking to spend a few more hours in this gorgeous villa, be sure to check out the 2017 movie directed by Luca Guadagnino. And don’t miss the stunning novel this story was based off—written by André Aciman. It’s one of my top 10 favourite books of all time.

Thank you so much for being here!

© All photos by Giulio Ghirardi

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