In the Frame: Marie-Louise Scio

What are you working on currently?

Marie-Louise Scio: ‘Designing our new hotels — La Badia, a 12th century Benedictine abbey, and La Suvera, a Baldassare Peruzzi building close to Siena — which are opening in 2027 and 2028 respectively. I’m also travelling around Italy looking for more architectural gems, whilst running the three existing hotels and lots more.’

What ritual or routine keeps you going?

MLS: ‘Meditating. If I didn’t meditate, I don’t know where I’d be.  It keeps me grounded and creates space in my mind. Chanting and doing yoga with my friend and teacher Manizeh Rimer, founder of Love Supreme Projects in London. I never miss her chanting; it’s a heart opener. Finally, going to our country house in Lubriano, overlooking Civita di Bagnoregio. The dramatic landscapes and the energy are incredible. The moment I walk through the door I relax completely.’

What work of art made you see things differently?

MLS: ‘Kandinsky’s early paintings, specifically Reitendes Paar (Couple Riding) (1906-1907). To see how he started and the evolution of his abstraction made me understand many things.’

Which artist or designer from history do you wish you knew more about?

MLS: ‘Man Ray and the Italian Renaissance artist Andrea Mantegna. They’re so important in the history of art. Mantegna was both a painter and a student of Roman archaeology. He was really influential, and I would love to spend time digging deeper into his life and work.’

What are you currently reading?

MLS: ‘Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.’

What artists or designers are you excited about right now?

MLS: ‘In fashion, most definitely Haider Ackermann at Tom Ford. I love the painter and installation artist Noah Davis. I also love Luigi Ghirri’s photography and the art of Enrico  Castellani and R.B. Kitaj.’

Do you think about art and design differently for your home and your hotels?

MLS: ‘My hotels are an extension myself, my aesthetic and what I love. For me, design is all about engaging emotionally — the aesthetics can be different depending on the place, but the attitude remains the same. For example, there’s an artist I discovered and bought for my house in the country, and I recently realised his work would be perfect for La Badia, so now I’m commissioning him for the hotel.’

Your favourite view, anywhere in the world?

MLS: ‘I would say the view from our house in Lubriano, a town of eight residents that you can only get to by footbridge. But I’m also super lucky to enjoy impeccable views from our three — soon to be five — Pellicano hotels.’

Most memorable art or design show you’ve seen in the past year?

MLS: ‘Noah Davis at the Barbican in London was mind-blowing. I also love the Brutalist architecture of the Barbican so the visit was doubly enjoyable.’

‘Caravaggio 2025 at the National Gallery of Ancient Art at Palazzo Barberini in Rome was unforgettable. Recently I rediscovered the National Archaeology Museum of Naples, which is sensational.’

Top picks from Christie’s right now?

MLS: ‘I find this landscape by Wayne Thiebaud is so peaceful. Even as it’s busy, it feels calm, and I love the colours. It seems to project a gentle outlook on life, even in chaos.

‘There’s something of Anselm Kiefer in this painting by Maggi Hambling. It evokes opposites: positive and negative, what is true and what is reflected. It's very powerful.’