Winter’s harvest
We show how a barn, dressed with warming sheepskins and throws, can become the perfect setting for cosy family gatherings
This idyllic barn is the setting for a fine family feast
ELLE Decoration first met Italian chef Riccardo Gaspari and his wife Ludovica Rubbini at El Brite de Larieto, their family restaurant in northern Italy, last summer. It was during this trip that the couple captivated us with tales of their farmyard barn, which they decorate every winter for gatherings with friends and loved ones. We liked their ideas so much that we had to return to join them for a family feast. Nestled beside their house, just a few miles from the beautiful village and fashionable ski resort of Cortina, the barn is surrounded by pine trees and larch forest. ‘It’s a simple shelter where we spend time around the dinner table on wintery Sundays,’ says Ludovica. The setting couldn’t be cosier: the timber walls acting as a rustic backdrop to the long, communal table. Hay bales, redolent of the recent harvest, are used as seating, as are simple wooden benches, all illuminated from above by strings of twinkling lights. ‘I love the tactile pleasure of natural wood and hay, and the way that they bring the outdoors in. But I also try to create a modern, elegant and intimate space,’ says Ludovica.
The contrast between rusticity and design-led luxury is striking. The china and glassware is sourced from brands such as Fiorira un Giardino, and the table linen is from high-end label Society Limonta. Sheepskins and rugs further soften the look. ‘Fluffy wool blankets are really important, as they make every guest feel warm and welcome,’ says Ludovica. ‘I always put down more chairs than guests – everyone is then free to change seats during dinner, which helps to create new conversations.’ elbritedelarieto. it