What is Luxury, Really?
- Florence Attaché
- May 5
- 4 min read
What is Luxury, Really?
A May Reflection from Florence on Quality, Craft and Quiet Wonder
May in Florence is anything but still. Rooftops are reopening. Evenings stretch into soft light. The scent of wisteria and early jasmine lingers in the breeze. There is a promise of summer in the air, and if you listen closely, you will hear the swallows sweeping across the sky, tracing elegant patterns above the rooftops.
The city is in motion. People linger a little longer in piazzas. Aperitivi return to panoramic terraces. Florence feels open, alive and generous.
It was in this atmosphere that we recently paused over a thought-provoking article from Rolling Stone, titled “What is Luxury Anymore?” Though its focus was on five-star hotels, it asked a question that resonated deeply with us. What does it mean to offer something truly valuable today?
At Florence Attaché, we have never relied on the word luxury to define our work. We prefer to speak of something else. Of quality. Of relevance. Of care. What makes a moment memorable is rarely the price of the experience. It is the feeling of being deeply considered.
And in Florence, that kind of quality is not hard to find. It lives in the hands of artisans. In the quiet of old palaces. In sculpture that holds your gaze. In service that begins before you even know what to ask.
Florence Made by Hand
Botteghe Fiorentine at Istituto De’ Bardi, until 31 May
This month, Florence shines a well-deserved light on the artisans who continue to shape its identity. The Istituto De’ Bardi presents Botteghe Fiorentine, a photographic exhibition that guides visitors through the workshops of the city’s master craftspeople. The images reveal not only the beauty of the objects produced, but the dignity of the process itself.
The exhibition features restorers, decorators, bronzesmiths, blacksmiths, carpenters, gilders, goldsmiths, bookbinders and more. These are the trades that once formed the very foundation of Florence’s neighbourhoods, and which still, despite changing times, carry forward ancient skills with quiet resilience.
Each photograph offers a glimpse into a world of detail and intention. A bronze tool polished by years of use. A carved frame awaiting gold leaf. A spine of a book being sewn by hand. These are not crafts for show. They are lives of dedication, often hidden from view.
At Florence Attaché, we work closely with several of these artisans. For guests interested in going beyond the gallery, we offer private visits to the workshops themselves. These experiences are not staged or rushed. They are personal, authentic and often deeply moving. You leave not only with a deeper appreciation for Florentine craftsmanship, but with a rare and unforgettable memory.
Casa Martelli
A House That Still Remembers
There are places in Florence where time has slowed so gently, you hardly notice it. One of those places is Casa Martelli, a palazzo just a few steps from the Duomo, and yet almost completely hidden from view.
Unlike other museums, Casa Martelli was not created to display a collection. It was a home. And it remains one. The rooms are furnished, frescoed and full of stories. The atmosphere is one of silence and refinement, where every object still feels in place.
The Martelli family were not only aristocrats. They were collectors, thinkers and patrons of the arts. Their private chapel, ballroom and gallery reflect a kind of lived elegance that is deeply touching. It is not ostentation. It is care. One guest told us recently, “I felt like I was walking through someone’s memory, not just a house.”
We are currently offering private guided visits to Casa Martelli. It is one of the most intimate and rewarding cultural experiences we can offer, and perfect for guests who want to feel connected to the city in a quieter and more meaningful way.
The Bargello Museum
Donatello’s Return and a Hall of Quiet Power
Another space where history still speaks in its own voice is the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, one of our favourite museums in the city. Less crowded than the Uffizi, yet home to some of the most important works of the Renaissance, the Bargello offers time, space and silence.
This spring marks the reopening of the Donatello Hall, where the sculptor’s bronze David now stands once again at the centre. Unlike Michelangelo’s muscular version, this David is youthful, slender and thoughtful. His expression is almost meditative. It invites contemplation rather than awe.
The surrounding halls hold masterpieces by Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Luca della Robbia and others. Yet the experience is never overwhelming. The building itself, once a prison and magistrate’s court, is austere and elegant. Light filters through stone arches. The courtyard is quiet and graceful.
We are happy to organise private visits for guests interested in exploring the Bargello with a deeper lens. Whether it is your first time in Florence or your fifth, this museum always finds a way to reveal something new.
Irene at Hotel Savoy
The Elegance of Renewal
Hospitality in Florence is evolving too, and nowhere is that more beautifully expressed than at the newly reopened Irene Restaurant at Hotel Savoy. With a refreshed interior and a new menu curated by chef Fulvio Pierangelini, Irene strikes a perfect balance between tradition and modernity.
The space is elegant yet understated. The cuisine honours Tuscan flavours while remaining light, expressive and seasonal. The terrace, just steps from Piazza della Repubblica, remains one of our favourite spots for a long May lunch, or an early evening aperitivo.
If you would like to dine at Irene, we recommend planning ahead. We would be happy to reserve the perfect table for you, whether you are seeking something celebratory or simply peaceful.
This month, Florence reminds us that true refinement is never loud. It is the quiet of a sculpture hall. The fragrance of old wood in a hidden studio. The kindness of a note placed where you will find it. The stillness of a house that remembers how to welcome you.
We would be honoured to help you discover that Florence. Thoughtful, timeless and entirely your own.
Florence Attaché Team
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