My Trip to Puglia, Italy - Part 4

“There is always a first time for everything. My own wobbly pottery masterpiece, hands-on clay therapy.”

The next day we changed hotels to the Grand Hotel Tiziano e dei Congressi in Lecce. At first glance it looked normal enough but night fell… and let’s just say those narrow hallways with delayed motion sensors took on a whole new level of creepy. I felt like I was wandering a set from an old horror movie each time I needed to find the elevator. I love horror movies but didn’t like the feeling of being in one.

By Day 7, I’d become a professional at finding the sweet spot between “Eat all the pasta, bread, and pastry you’re given” and “Try not to burst a seam.” Was I successful at it? Let’s just say I made more progress than on Day 3, but I still ended up eating too much most days. Our itinerary led us to large-scale fabricators of home design panels, structures, and even statues. These were the bigger industrial operations that still maintained that proud attention to detail of the Puglia region.

Another standout stop on our journey was our visit to Galatina Kubico in Lecce, a furniture studio that immediately stole my heart. While they specialize in high-quality furniture, what really sets them apart is their playful, almost eccentric approach to design. Every piece had a bold personality; think sculptural forms, unexpected textures, and whimsical touches that make you smile the moment you walk in.

For anyone who knows my style, it’s no secret that I have a soft spot for animals and anything a little offbeat. So naturally, I was completely in my element here. From animal-inspired accents to furniture that looked like it belonged in a dream sequence, the entire experience felt like walking through a creative playground for grown-ups. It was refreshing, inspiring, and a beautiful reminder that design doesn’t always have to take itself too seriously.

Then came Day 8, which may just be another one of my favorite days. We had a visit to Fratelli Coli which is an impressingly large manufacturing facility for ceramics. They sell their ceramics worldwide and even sell to places like HomeSense which we have here of course. Here we got the chance to try the pottery wheel ourselves (guided by the master ceramicist of course)! Now, as an interior designer, I love curating and styling, but physically making something from scratch? That’s next-level satisfaction. We donned aprons, sat at the pottery wheel and proceeded to try to make something on the pottery wheel. Lets just say we have a newfound appreciation for the craft!

There was something incredibly therapeutic about working with clay; feeling it spin beneath your fingers as you try to guide it into shape. It gave me a newfound respect for the artisan community we’d been visiting all week. My creation may not make it onto anyone’s Pinterest board, but I will always treasure the experience.

Before yet another big dinner we got to see the old town of Otranto where inside their cathedral the entire floor was made of mosaics and depicts the Tree of Life. The most interesting part is that inside the cathedral there is also a crypt of the skulls of martyrs that had given their life to defend their faith. Super creepy to see!