Journal
A New Life, Made in Sicily
Palazzo di Pietra began with a decision to start a new chapter.
I came to Sicily looking for a different kind of life—a slower pace, more creativity, and a tranquil atmosphere. I found that life in the heart of Sicily, among hilltop towns, weathered stone, old doors, quiet streets, and traditions that have endured for generations.
And somewhere along the way, this old palazzo became much more than a place to live.
It became home. It became inspiration. And eventually, it became a studio.
Palazzo di Pietra
The name Palazzo di Pietra means Palace of Stone, a fitting name for both the place and the work that comes from it.
Here, surrounded by centuries-old stone walls and the character of an old Sicilian home, I create wall art, mosaic block art, handcrafted furniture, wooden objects, and art influenced by the textures, architecture,
colors, and imperfections of Sicily.
I am drawn to natural materials and pieces that feel as though they have a story—wood grain that remains visible, surfaces that show the hand that made them, and designs that don't need to be perfectly uniform to be beautiful.
The goal isn't simply to make something new. It's to make something worth keeping.
Made Here
Palazzo di Pietra Studio is where ideas become tangible.
Some begin with a piece of wood. Others come from an old Sicilian doorway, a pattern in a tile, the colors of a weathered wall, or something noticed while wandering through a town I've never visited before.
Many pieces are made in limited quantities. Others are one
of a kind.
That is part of what I love about making things by hand: no two pieces of wood are exactly alike, and the finished piece carries a little evidence of where it came from and how it was made.
Sicily Is Part of the Work
Living here has changed the way I notice things. The faded paint on an old wooden door. An olive tree growing beside a wall that has stood for hundreds of years. A pattern underfoot. The blue of the sea appearing unexpectedly at the end of a street.
These ordinary details have become an endless source of inspiration.
Palazzo di Pietra isn't intended to reproduce Sicily literally. Instead, the work carries pieces of it—the warmth, texture, history, simplicity, and sense that beautiful things become even more beautiful with time.
And Then Came the Post
Palazzo di Pietra Post grew from the same idea.
I wanted to share more than finished objects. I wanted to share some of the places, stories, traditions, and small discoveries that inspire them.
Each month, Palazzo di Pietra Post travels to another corner of Sicily and brings a little of that experience back through the mail. A letter. A postcard. Original art. A recipe. Paper pieces to collect. And a few unexpected details inspired by that month's destination.
It is personal mail in a world where very little arrives in the mailbox simply because someone wanted you to enjoy opening it.
Our journey begins here in Mussomeli, the Sicilian town I now call home. From there, we'll see where the road takes us.
From Sicily, Personally
Palazzo di Pietra is still becoming. Part studio. Part home. Part ongoing exploration of this extraordinary island.
It began with moving to Sicily in search of a new life. I didn't arrive with every part of the story already planned.
Perhaps that's what makes it feel so personal.
