Like the artists of the Italian Renaissance, she learned through practice, in Rome, in the studio of her father, Alfredo (1933-2008). He was one of Italy’s most renowned architects who worked extensively around the world, above all in Jeddah and Egypt. He was a Napoletan gentleman. Alfredo Freda had a sense of elegance that transcended the skills necessary to build a house. He taught his daughter to survey a room, to choose the right color for a wall and to get the best from artisans and workers. It was natural for her to become an interior designer, balanced with an international education. Her experience has been strongly influenced by different cultures.
Elisabetta Freda built up her experience starting with the French Lycée Chateaubriand in Rome, followed by Art history at La Sapienza University and then three years studying and working in Sotheby’s in London. Part of her success is due to her passion for research. Her day can be spent looking for the right Baccarat lamp, pursuing the best parquet from Belgium, or selecting fabrics from the most exclusive fabrics maker.

She has secrets and tips: She knows most of the Parisian antiquaires, the best joiners in Rome and Naples, and the most beautiful stores in Europe for interior design. To keep up to date she regularly visits important design fairs, such as Maisons et Objets in Paris and Salone del Mobile in Milano.

One of her most admired qualities is her ability to listen to her clients. She adapts. She wants to know what kind of life they have, what they expect from their home, what they don’t like. This is extremely important because when it comes to design and interiors, Elisabetta Freda doesn’t follow trends. She follows her intuition combining it with the personality of the customer. This is a key reason why she is in demand internationally.

Every project she has is like a treasure hunt. She decorates country houses in Tuscany, residences in Cannes, golf clubs in Switzerland and apartments in Paris and London. She also works extensively in the Middle East. Not only the Hotel Juweira Boutique Hotel in Salalah (Oman) but also villas in Jeddah, Beirut and Dubai. She respects country’s tradition, its culture and its mood, balancing it with her European flair. A combination that is difficult to find elsewhere.

Eleonora Attolico