Masseria Petrarolo: Exclusive interview with Alexander Waterworth

October 11, 2020

Located in the heart of Puglia, amidst 30 hectares of picturesque farmland, Alexander Waterworth has restored and redesigned the Masseria Petrarolo.


Elegantly rising through natures sculptural landscape, this magnificent villa has been transformed throughout, maintaining its authentic farmhouse heritage. Passing through each space, a rustic purity refreshes your mind with exposed brick walls, floors and gracefully large, vaulted ceilings, maintaining many of the original features. Covering the length of Italy and further through Europe, we have sourced an assortment of antiques and contemporary, tailored furniture pieces.


  • What was the design brief?

    The property had not really been touched for many many years. Our client wanted to bring sophistication and comfort to a building that was not originally considered for such an experience. The first thing we did was to understand how this building would be used as a home. It was critical that we retained as many of the existing wall arrangement, staircases and finishes in the building as possible to ensure a natural evolution of the property. Exposing and regenerating finishes that have been there since the property was formed was extremely satisfying & an incredibly enjoyable, although time consuming.

    We knew we had to make some big changes to how the building was used, forming bedroom with ensuites & kitchens with services would be the biggest challenge, uncompromising and maintaining the history of the building was a key factor to the design authenticity. 

  • Describe any challenges you faced with this project and how they were overcome.

    It was important to create a timeless space that felt it had been there for many years and was considerate to the environment and location.  It was a challenge matching up the honesty of the surrounding materials, the architectural finishes, both of great interest and intrigue. I wanted to embrace this and create internal spaces that worked in situ with these elements creating a fluid partnership.


The living spaces consisting of 3 kitchens, a dining area, wine room, a pool house and sitting room continue with soothing, rustic, refinement that welcomes you with warmth to wind away your day with comfort and mindful rejuvenation.


  • Are there any outstanding features worth mentioning?

    It was important to ensure that the spaces were dressed with a mixture of found pieces along with purposely made items. Acquiring these antiques took around 6 to 8 months, many early visit to markets & antique dealers. Lille road in Fulham provide many of the pieces purchased, I loved the small desk we picked up which fitted so well in the property, it was just meant.  


Each of the 8-bedrooms maintains their own singular identity, with naturally sourced pastel colours that blend seamlessly, providing a light, yet romantically dignified feel to compliment the magnificent views.


  • How would you describe the final result?

    Timeless, interlingually comfortable and welcoming.

  • How did the owners react when they saw their new home?

    Speechless, we had rejuvenated this old masseria into a home giving life to this property for many years to come.


www.alexanderwaterworthinteriors.com

SHARE THIS

 Contribute

G&G _ Magazine is always looking for the creative talents of stylists, designers, photographers and writers from around the globe.

WRITE US

 Find us on

Recent Posts

By G&G _ Magazine February 3, 2026
Merav Bustan, founder of the Berlin-based design studio bearing her name, is the creative force behind the interior design of the new boutique hotel, VIA Antwerp , located in the vibrant heart of the Zurenborg district.
By G&G _ Magazine January 28, 2026
From January 18 to 20, 2026, Destination Design confirmed itself as a key observatory for contemporary living where design is no longer just about form or function, but about emotion and adaptability for the future.
By G&G _ Magazine January 26, 2026
Workspace Design Show is set to take place from February 25-16, 2026, at the Business Design Centre in London, returning with a powerful series of immersive installations that bring the theme Connected Realities to life.
By G&G _ Magazine January 12, 2026
DA bureau designed a 150 m² apartment in St. Petersburg, conceived to offer comfortable, functional living for a couple with three children.
By G&G _ Magazine January 10, 2026
Designed by studio gram, Monarto Safari Resort tells a story of migration, encounter, and reconnection with nature. Conceived as a sensory retreat, the project invites travellers to step away from fast-paced routines and immerse themselves in a landscape where architecture, wildlife, and human experience coexist in quiet harmony.
By G&G _ Magazine January 9, 2026
OF. Studio, an internationally award-winning architecture practice based in London, designed a 571 m² single-family residence in Mendoza, Argentina, conceived as a bold architectural response to its landscape, where form, materiality, and human inhabitation are expressed with radical honesty.
MORE

 Subscribe

Keep up to date with the latest trends!

Receive a dose of inspiration directly into your mailbox!

 Popular Posts

By G&G _ Magazine November 6, 2025
interihotel once again amazed the city of Barcelona from October 21st to 23rd, bringing more than 11,600 industry professionals from around the world, reaffirming its position as Europe's leading event for hospitality design.
By G&G _ Magazine September 11, 2025
At M&O September 2025 edition, countless brands and design talents unveiled extraordinary innovations. Yet, among the many remarkable presences, some stood out in a truly distinctive way. G&G _ Magazine is proud to present a curated selection of 21 Outstanding Professionals who are redefining the meaning of Craftsmanship in their own unique manner, blending tradition with contemporary visions and eco-conscious approaches.
By G&G _ Magazine May 2, 2025
Nestled at the foot of Shuiguan Mountain, just an hour's drive from Beijing, Commune by the Great Wall stands as a testament to contemporary architectural innovation harmoniously blended with China's rich heritage.