Review: Capri Dolce Vita
A look at this fabled corner of the world through the ages.
Located in the Bay of Naples and famous for its Blue Grotto and rugged coastline, the island of Capri has long been associated with the so-called ‘dolce vita’ and has been a summer playground of celebrities and royalty since the Roman Empire. In the 19th century, it was a magnet for artists, writers and poets – including Graham Greene and Pablo Neruda – and was cherished by Swedish physician Axel Munthe, who recommended its clean air to his patients as a cure for bronchitis.
Munthe’s Villa San Michele, and its garden, is now one of the most visited sites in the island’s Anacapri commune. French film director Jean-Luc Godard used Capri as the setting for his 1963 film Contempt, while style icons such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis were drawn to its cobblestone alleys and boutiques, as well as the famous Carthusia perfumery.
Part of Capri’s charm is that cars are prohibited, so transport tends to be by boat or vintage taxi, which adds to its languid appeal. Writer, lecturer and former editor Cesare Cunaccia traces the allure of Capri, with many images of the jet set, and documents the gardens, villas and piazzetta which make up this ‘paradise on earth’. If you haven’t been, this book should inspire you.
Capri Dolce Vita
Text by Cesare Cunaccia
Assouline
The Latest
An Ethereal Stay
A bespoke, cultural and spiritual adventure awaits in the remote, magical Kingdom of Mustang with the all-inclusive Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection hotel
Celebrating artistry, heritage, and community
Casamia & Mustard & Linen host a cultural exchange celebrating Emirati Women’s Day
Skyline Serenity
A family home in Almaty, Kazakhstan blends modern architecture, bespoke craftsmanship and global design icons
Trend Group supplies to the Red Sea’s most prestigious projects
Mohamad Chehab, the general manager of Trend Group Middle East talks about the group's involvement in the Red Sea Projects
A New Chapter in Surfaces
APE Grupo brings Spanish expertise to the Middle East with a flagship showroom designed for visionaries
The Art of Distinction
Influenced by Art Deco design, Supreme by TREDEX now features a striking Matt Bourbon finish
Read ‘The Luxury Issue’ – Note from the editor
Our cover features Gaggenau, a brand that embodies design for the truly discerning.
Sarita Handa and Kristina Zanic Consultants Unveil DEEBAJ
Sarita Handa and Kristina Zanic Consultants announce the launch of DEEBAJ, a special-edition textile collection that reinterprets the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia through the artistry of Indian craftsmanship.
Design Take: GABA
Inspired by the philosophy of GABA tea, fermented without air or light, Studio Meshary AlNassar translated this concept into an interior that is hidden, intimate, and layered with sensory detail.
Geared for Growth
ClayArk opens an expanded showroom showcasing their expansion into sanitary ware
Holiday Vibes at Home
California sunshine and French country charm meet in this 510-square metre house with a dream pool cabana and peaceful garden
Things to Covet
Nature-inspired meets future-ready for these sustainable pieces