Inhabiting the Seascape

By Editorial Staff - 3 November 2025
Marazzi has participated in the project

The sea as atmosphere and inspiration – this was the guiding thread behind the design of the Tuscany Hotel Alle Dune, a seaside property on the Tuscan coast designed by Hub 48 Studio, the design division of Bonfante Interior Contractor. The interiors echo the coastal landscape through extensive use of ceramic surfaces, whose colors and textures evoke waves, sand and the shimmer of sunlight.

A detailed spatial study shaped the project’s early stages, involving demolition and reconstruction to better meet the functional demands of a hospitality environment. In the guest rooms, for example, bathrooms were expanded and the wash and shower areas reconfigured to enhance comfort and usability. The layout of the lobby, bar and reception area was designed around the natural flow of movement, introducing features such as pillars and tables that serve both functional and esthetic purposes. From there, the design concept took shape – to bring the surrounding seascape indoors. Just a few meters from the Tyrrhenian shore in the province of Livorno, the Tuscany Hotel Alle Dune reflects its coastal setting in every detail. As interior designer Sofia Bonvicini explains, the goal was not to create themed environments, but “conceptual interpretations of marine elements, such as the white-and-blue herringbone flooring in the guestrooms, a geometric echo of ocean waves, or the sand-toned wood and white finishes that capture and reflect the light”.

Tuscany Hotel Alle Dune © Matteo Serpi, courtesy Marazzi group

At the heart of making this vision reality is ceramic, expressed through a curated selection of Marazzi collections, each playing a distinct role in defining the spaces. In the guestrooms, Crogiolo Scenario recalls the look of Mediterranean majolica, laid in a herringbone pattern that amplifies the link to the sea. The glossy tiles of Crogiolo Lume define the wall in the bar and some of the custom furnishings, such as the entrance planter unit. But it is the Slow collection – inspired by traditional terracotta and presented in the Rafia pattern – that sets the tone, evoking the calm and warmth of hand-shaped clay with its earthy texture and hues. Celebrating the unhurried rhythm of nature, Slow also defines the floors and wall claddings in the hotel’s communal areas. Its strikingly realistic texture is achieved with 3D Ink technology, which fuses graphic design and surface structure. Today, its versatility is even greater, with new large-format slabs (160×320 and 162×324 cm) and fresh color options for The Top range, ideal for kitchen counters, tables and bespoke furniture.

Here, ceramic is more than an esthetic choice. Beyond its sustainable qualities, its strength and durability make it perfectly suited to the hospitality industry, minimizing maintenance and reducing the need for replacement over time.

Through this approach, the interiors of the Tuscany Hotel Alle Dune express a coherent design language in which color and material become tools of storytelling and sensory experience for the project.