For years, I dreamed of having an atelier of my own. In Puglia, that dream has come true — only it is far larger than I ever imagined. Puglia itself has become my atelier: from the land around our trullo and its ancient olive trees to the Adriatic coast, where stone, shells, driftwood, sea glass and reclaimed wood inspire the one-of-a-kind pieces I make by hand.
Creativity has always been part of my life. With a background in interior styling and handmade decoration, I have always been drawn to materials, textures and the atmosphere they bring to a space. Moving to Puglia in 2026 gave that creativity a new direction. Every piece begins with something I see, find or simply notice in my new life here. The olive trees, dry-stone walls, trulli and the Adriatic Sea invite me to look more closely. I collect what speaks to me and create each piece entirely by hand, so no two will ever be the same. This is how my first collection began, and with it Nens — made by hand in Puglia.
On walks along the Adriatic coast, I collect shells, sea-worn stones, pieces of driftwood and small fragments of sea glass. Around our trullo, I find local stone and weathered wood that would otherwise be forgotten.
Back in my atelier, I sort everything by colour, shape and texture. Arion prepares the reclaimed wooden panels, and from there I allow each piece to grow slowly — one stone or shell at a time. I never begin with a fixed pattern. A trullo, an octopus, a cactus or a fish gradually takes shape, guided by the materials themselves.
Every piece is created slowly, entirely by hand and in small numbers. The materials guide the design, making no two pieces exactly alike. Shells, stone, driftwood, sea glass and reclaimed wood come together in creations that carry the colours, textures and quiet beauty of Puglia.
Some pieces will find a place in our Lush Puglia Stays apartment; others will become part of a growing collection for homes that want to carry a little of Puglia with them. This is only the beginning. Follow Nens — made by hand in Puglia on Facebook to watch new pieces take shape and discover the stories behind the materials.
