Venice · Cantù · Lago Maggiore · Six Days
ITALY
for designers
A Curated Creative Retreat
Fall 2026
"High-performing creatives do their best work when they're allowed to dream."
You didn't get into design
to feel burned out.
"Six days in Italy. Intimate access to world-renowned artisans. A small curated group of your peers."
You chose this profession because you believe in the transformative power of beautiful spaces. But somewhere between client demands, vendor deadlines, and the relentless pace of running a design business, that creative spark can dim.
This retreat is your permission to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the artistry that called you to this work in the first place.
This isn't a tour. It's a curated business trip led by a fellow designer who understands your world; every atelier personally vetted, every relationship intentionally built.
Is this
you?
Built for the established designer who is ready.
Feels creatively exhausted and needs to reconnect with the beauty and artistry that originally inspired their career.
Wants direct access to vetted European vendors and artisans who create bespoke, story-driven pieces for discerning clients.
Craves meaningful connections with peers who understand the unique challenges of running a luxury design business.
Ready to differentiate their portfolio with exclusive sourcing relationships competitors simply cannot replicate.
Understands that investing in inspiration, education, and relationships is investing directly in their business.
Believes the most powerful business development happens alongside people who share your standards.
Insider Access.
Doors that don't open
to the public.
Private entry to prestigious ateliers, meet owners, artistic directors, and master craftspeople. Build vendor pipelines that improve margins and elevate your design offerings.
Days of immersive access, private tours, curated meals, and peer connection structured to deliver lasting creative and business impact long after you return home.
The
Itinerary
Six carefully sequenced days moving from Venetian artisanship to the fabric mills of northern Italy each day building on the last.
Arrival & Welcome
Arrive, settle in, and gather with fellow designers for a welcome aperitivo as the canals turn gold.
Venetian Artisan Walking Tour
Hidden courtyards, private ateliers, and master craftspeople whose work has shaped interiors for centuries.
Glassblowing & Rubelli Archives
Witness Murano's legendary glassblowers, then explore the historic Rubelli textile archives exclusively.
Journey to Lago Maggiore
Travel through Italy's countryside to Cantù the furniture capital with atelier stops en route.
Isola Bella
A baroque island palace rising from still water. A day of extraordinary beauty let inspiration find you.
Italian Fabric Mills Tour
Behind-the-scenes access to Italy's legendary fabric mills. Relationships that will define your next chapter.
Every detail.
Taken care of.
From your first aperitivo to the farewell dinner a complete, curated experience.
Luxury Accommodation
Five nights in carefully selected properties in Venice and Lake Maggiore.
Private Atelier Access
Exclusive entry to showrooms and factories not accessible to the public or typical tours.
All Group Meals
From welcome aperitivo to farewell dinner every shared meal is part of the experience.
Private Transportation
Water taxis in Venice and ground transport throughout. You focus on experience, not logistics.
Professional Photography
Individual portraits and candid action shots captured in ateliers, museums, and world - renowed fabricators. Polished imagery ready for your website, press, and social media to strengthen your brand and attract new clients.
Supplier Resources
Curated contact list and ordering templates every; relationship becomes a lasting asset.
What you'll
return home
with.
Not just memories of beautiful places but renewed energy, strategic relationships, a professional content library, and peer connections that only form when accomplished people go somewhere extraordinary together.
Renewed Creative Energy
Reconnection to the artistry that originally inspired your career. A sketchbook full of ideas that translates into inspired designs.
Strategic Vendor Relationships
Direct contact with vetted European artisans, exclusive customization options, and sourcing strategies that improve margins.
Professional Content Library
Curated photography and video from ateliers and palazzos instant brand elevation without staging.
Authentic Peer Connections
Genuine relationships with accomplished designers who understand your challenges. Referral opportunities and collective wisdom.
Business Clarity
Stepping away allows reflection. You'll return ready to lead with strategic focus instead of burnout.
Guided by someone who knows your world.
Dorothy Willetts · Willetts Design & Assoc.With decades of experience running a successful luxury interior design firm in La Quinta, California, Dorothy understands the unique challenges high-performing designers face the burnout, the pressure to stay relevant, the need for exclusive resources.
This retreat was born from Dorothy's own transformative experiences traveling in Italy and her passion for helping fellow designers reconnect with the artistry and business value that extraordinary materials and relationships provide.
Your creative
vision deserves
space to breathe.
Pricing announced soon. Join the waitlist to be first in line and first to access early-bird registration.
Join the Waitlist
Spaces are intentionally limited to preserve the intimacy of the experience.
Vendor Return Policy
Venice · Cantù · Lago Maggiore · Six Days
ITALY
for designers
A Curated Creative Retreat
Fall 2026
"High-performing creatives do their best work when they're allowed to dream."
You didn't get into design
to feel burned out.
"Six days in Italy. Intimate access to world-renowned artisans. A small curated group of your peers."
You chose this profession because you believe in the transformative power of beautiful spaces. But somewhere between client demands, vendor deadlines, and the relentless pace of running a design business, that creative spark can dim.
This retreat is your permission to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the artistry that called you to this work in the first place.
This isn't a tour. It's a curated business trip led by a fellow designer who understands your world; every atelier personally vetted, every relationship intentionally built.
Is this
you?
Built for the established designer who is ready.
01
Feels creatively exhausted and needs to reconnect with the beauty and artistry that originally inspired their career.
02
Wants direct access to vetted European vendors and artisans who create bespoke, story-driven pieces for discerning clients.
03
Craves meaningful connections with peers who understand the unique challenges of running a luxury design business.
04
Ready to differentiate their portfolio with exclusive sourcing relationships competitors simply cannot replicate.
05
Understands that investing in inspiration, education, and relationships is investing directly in their business.
06
Believes the most powerful business development happens alongside people who share your standards.
Insider Access.
Doors that don't open
to the public.
Private entry to prestigious ateliers, meet owners, artistic directors, and master craftspeople. Build vendor pipelines that improve margins and elevate your design offerings.
FortunyHistoric Textiles
OrsoniVenetian Smalti & Gold Leaf
RubelliArchive Textiles
DedarLuxury Fabrics
BottegaNeraArtisan Objects
Murano MastersGlassblowing
6
Days of immersive access, private tours, curated meals, and peer connection structured to deliver lasting creative and business impact long after you return home.
The
Itinerary
Six carefully sequenced days moving from Venetian artisanship to the fabric mills of northern Italy each day building on the last.
1Venice
Arrival & Welcome
Arrive, settle in, and gather with fellow designers for a welcome aperitivo as the canals turn gold.
2Venice
Venetian Artisan Walking Tour
Hidden courtyards, private ateliers, and master craftspeople whose work has shaped interiors for centuries.
3Murano
Glassblowing & Rubelli Archives
Witness Murano's legendary glassblowers, then explore the historic Rubelli textile archives exclusively.
4Cantù
Journey to Lago Maggiore
Travel through Italy's countryside to Cantù the furniture capital with atelier stops en route.
5Maggiore
Isola Bella
A baroque island palace rising from still water. A day of extraordinary beauty let inspiration find you.
6Mills
Italian Fabric Mills Tour
Behind-the-scenes access to Italy's legendary fabric mills. Relationships that will define your next chapter.
Every detail.
Taken care of.
From your first aperitivo to the farewell dinner a complete, curated experience.
i
Luxury Accommodation
Five nights in carefully selected properties in Venice and Lake Maggiore.
ii
Private Atelier Access
Exclusive entry to showrooms and factories not accessible to the public or typical tours.
iii
All Group Meals
From welcome aperitivo to farewell dinner every shared meal is part of the experience.
iv
Private Transportation
Water taxis in Venice and ground transport throughout. You focus on experience, not logistics.
v
Professional Photography
Individual portraits and candid action shots captured in ateliers, museums, and world - renowed fabricators. Polished imagery ready for your website, press, and social media to strengthen your brand and attract new clients.
vi
Supplier Resources
Curated contact list and ordering templates every; relationship becomes a lasting asset.
What you'll
return home
with.
Not just memories of beautiful places but renewed energy, strategic relationships, a professional content library, and peer connections that only form when accomplished people go somewhere extraordinary together.
I
Renewed Creative Energy
Reconnection to the artistry that originally inspired your career. A sketchbook full of ideas that translates into inspired designs.
II
Strategic Vendor Relationships
Direct contact with vetted European artisans, exclusive customization options, and sourcing strategies that improve margins.
III
Professional Content Library
Curated photography and video from ateliers and palazzos instant brand elevation without staging.
IV
Authentic Peer Connections
Genuine relationships with accomplished designers who understand your challenges. Referral opportunities and collective wisdom.
V
Business Clarity
Stepping away allows reflection. You'll return ready to lead with strategic focus instead of burnout.
Guided by someone who knows your world.
Dorothy Willetts · Willetts Design & Assoc.
With decades of experience running a successful luxury interior design firm in La Quinta, California, Dorothy understands the unique challenges high-performing designers face the burnout, the pressure to stay relevant, the need for exclusive resources.
This retreat was born from Dorothy's own transformative experiences traveling in Italy and her passion for helping fellow designers reconnect with the artistry and business value that extraordinary materials and relationships provide.
Your creative
vision deserves
space to breathe.
Pricing announced soon. Join the waitlist to be first in line and first to access early-bird registration.
Join the Waitlist
Spaces are intentionally limited to preserve the intimacy of the experience.
First notification
Early-bird pricing
Artisan previews
Full itinerary & FAQs