By Camilla Sarra. Cover image from Freepik.
A Slow Travel Itinerary for Design Lovers in Florence
When you think of timeless taste and globe-spanning creativity, Briza Datti is a name that effortlessly blends old-world charm with modern finesse. Born with a deep love for craftsmanship and an eye for intentional beauty, Briza’s journey reads like a love letter to design—one stitched together in São Paulo, refined in Florence, and draped in the luxurious silks of Kyoto. It all began with fashion. After earning her degree in Fashion Design in Brazil, Briza dived headfirst into the high-end European scene, cutting her teeth at fashion powerhouses like Prada and Moncrief London. There, she learned the sacred rules of precision, storytelling, and what it means to create something that lasts—not just in style, but in soul. But fashion was only the beginning.
Where Craft Meets Soul: Inside the World of Designer Briza Datti
Briza’s move into interiors and textiles happened as organically as silk flows through fingers. At Antico Setificio Fiorentino—a historic silk mill nestled in Florence—she crafted custom pieces for elite clients, merging age-old traditions with a modern elegance that felt both rooted and revolutionary. Her work became a bridge between past and present, weaving heritage into spaces that speak to contemporary sensibilities.
Next stop? Kyoto. At Hosoo, Japan’s iconic Nishijin textile brand, Briza helped open their first international showroom in Milan, bringing centuries-old craftsmanship to the cutting edge of interior design. Think Japanese weaving meets Milanese cool—her collaboration with Dimore Studio at Salone del Mobile 2025 made it clear: Briza doesn’t follow trends. She creates them. Now based between Tuscany, Lake Como, and London, Briza continues her mission to fuse heritage with innovation. As an independent interior designer, she channels everything she’s learned into spaces that tell stories—spaces that feel like art, memory, and future all at once.
Her work reminds us that true luxury isn’t loud—it’s deeply intentional. And Briza Datti? She’s designing a world where tradition and tomorrow hold hands.
More Than Museums: How to Truly Experience Florence Like a Local
Briza, you’ve lived and worked all over the world—why does Florence feel like home?
Florence gives you the gift of time. It’s not about rushing from one landmark to the next just to say you’ve “done” it. When you live here—or stay long enough—you get to be present, to really see things. Florence reveals itself slowly. That’s the magic.
So you’re saying tourists do it wrong?
Not all of them! (laughs). But yes—there’s a difference between checking off the Uffizi like a task and going back five, ten, twenty times to see something new each visit. I always tell people: get the annual museum pass. Not the three-day one. Take your time.
From Frescoes to Fabrics: How Florence Trains the Designer’s Eye
As a designer, how do you use Florence as a classroom?
Oh, it’s the best school. If you’re a fashion designer, walk through the Uffizi and look at the fabrics in the portraits. Learn how velvet catches light, how brocades drape. If you’re into jewelry—control yourself—but go study the details. Interior lovers? It’s everywhere. From wall colors to lighting to marble names… Florence is a living archive of taste.
You mentioned something about “dusty colours”—what are those?
They’re my obsession. The sun-faded pinks, wine-stained reds, washed-out greens you find in old frescoes or antique fabrics. Florence is full of them—especially in places like San Marco, where Fra Angelico’s angels basically invented color harmony.
A Designer’s Quick Guide to Florence
Okay, let’s do a rapid-fire Briza-approved Florence Design Tour. Ready?
Let’s go! If you’re into color, start at the Musei di San Marco—Fra Angelico’s angel wings will absolutely blow your mind with their subtle, poetic palettes. Marble lovers need to head straight to the Cappelle Medicee, where bold color combinations and names like Porfido Rosso or Serpentino will make you want to re-tile your entire home. For those obsessed with furniture, the Opificio delle Pietre Dure is a must, especially the restoration labs, and Palazzo Davanzati is pure joy with its hand-painted walls and that old-world Cabana Magazine energy. If you’re on a budget or just love the thrill of the hunt, hit up the antique markets—they’re part cultural lesson, part people-watching goldmine. And finally, for a masterclass in lighting, go out for dinner! Places like Atelier de’ Nerli and 5eCinque have the kind of lighting that teaches you everything about mood and ambiance—plus, the food’s pretty great too.
The Essential Tip for Aspiring Creatives Exploring Florence
And your secret tip for aspiring creatives visiting Florence?
Slow down. Don’t look for the “non-touristy” thing—look deeper into the classics. There’s a lazy dog in the corner of a Renaissance painting waiting to teach you irony. There’s humor, beauty, and genius in every crack. You just have to give it time.
