From Barrels to Reception: Where Material Becomes Story

The Fattoria Svetoni Reception Desk: Barrel Wood Given New Life in the Hotel Hall

For the hall of the charming hotel within the historic Fattoria Svetoni, in the heart of Montepulciano, we designed and crafted a reception desk that blends functionality, memory, and a deep sense of place.

The concept stems from a gesture both symbolic and tangible: reclaiming the staves from the estate’s old oak barrels, which for decades had held some of the winery’s most representative wines. Each stave was carefully dismantled, selected, and worked in our workshop, respecting its original curvature and deliberately leaving visible the authentic marks of time: wood darkened by contact with the wine, natural metal oxidations, and even the sugar encrustations, a tangible testament to years of aging.

The front cladding was created with a "sunburst" layout, a dynamic and tactile design where the staves chase one another along the curve of the counter, creating a play of light and shadow that shifts with the room’s natural and artificial lighting.

Beyond its aesthetic and symbolic value, the operational side of the counter was designed with maximum attention to functionality. Every compartment, shelf, and cable route was carefully planned to facilitate the daily work of the reception staff: dedicated power and service connections, compartments for brochures and guest information, enclosed spaces for securing small valuables, room key cards, and service documents.

A detail particularly dear to us is the small corner display case, seamlessly integrated into the design, created to showcase and highlight a selection of wines produced by the Svetoni winery. A discreet yet effective way to convey the true soul of this place, right from the guests' first welcome.

The supporting structure, made from solid wood and marine-grade plywood, ensures long-lasting stability and durability. The final finish, combining natural tones with ruby-red lacquered details, elegantly reflects the site’s strong winemaking identity.

Every phase of the project – from on-site surveying to bespoke design, from artisanal production to final installation – was entirely managed within our workshop.

The result is a piece of furniture that welcomes guests not only through its form and function but also through a story made of material, territory, and lived memory.