FORESTA LETTER No. 02
SLOW LIVING, an ODE TO SIMPLICITY AND INTENTIONAL LIFE
WITH CATIA LEMMI
October, 2020
Lots has changed in the last few months and life feels pretty strange most days. We have been asked to change the way we live and the way we work and develop our projects. Foresta’s ethos has always encompassed a slow and intentional mindset, focusing on all those small things that seem meaningless, but that precisely are the ones that fill our brand with meaning. In the wake of this global crisis, we’ve been asked to adapt a slower and even more caring approach as we develop our first collection.
Our roots run deep in Honduras, a small country in the Caribbean where our sustainable timbers are grown, and our designs are crafted by hand. It’s a country that has been deeply impacted by the trials the whole world has been facing, but unfortunately the daily struggle in Honduras is more real that many of us can understand. This reality has only served to motivate us further and the bond we have formed with our producers and manufacturers has only grown deeper during these times.
With that kept in mind we meet with the warmth of Catia Lemmi. She appreciates the simplicity and purity above all. A few years ago, she decided to take a break from the bustle of Great Britain’s capital, where she worked as a psychologist. She decided to take her life as an ode to simplicity, searching for the purity of an intentional lifestyle, that really attracts us and fills us with plenty of inspiration.
“As the weeks turned to months and inevitably months turned to years, I realized with the ever-quickening passage of time that I was yearning for something more. My wake up call occurred soon after a dear friend was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. It was a hard but much needed reminder to pursue the longing that had been quietly tugging at my heart; I was overdue making time for myself. Without overthinking it for fear of getting cold feet, my friend and I headed to Africa for an adventure filled with discovery in the form of never before seen sites, as well as lesser known revelations from within”, Catia is telling.
“For two months we journeyed across Algeria and Morocco, travelling through remote landscapes and unexplored locations while experiencing the culture and cuisine of the indigenous friends we made along the way. At first it was a thrill to encounter new people and places, however, as time progressed, I found myself learning to appreciate a different way of living, one that I found both refreshing and enlightening. Things were much simpler in Northern Africa. Life was uncomplicated and with each day further removed from Western society, I began to appreciate the beauty around me and the sincere feeling of joy that had started to surface. Unbeknownst at the time, this was the beginning of a ten- month sabbatical that would change my outlook on life forever.
On return to London from my adventure, my perspective had altered dramatically. My senses suddenly felt overwhelmed by once familiar city sights and sounds, and I found myself aching for the simplicity I’d discovered a world away from Britain. It was then I delved deeper into my heart’s desire and fled for my home country to make the slower life I’d uncovered a permanent part of my existence.”
Her desire to search for simplicity and at the same time reconnect with her family, led her to a hidden gem in the heart of Tuscany, without access to some of today’s modern conveniences. An old farmhouse that had once belonged to her Grandparents.
“The house was in desperate need of love when I arrived. Beyond the repair and renovation, however, was a spiritual space that I immediately felt connected to. Looking back, I fondly recall soaking in the magnitude of the path I had chosen in those first few moments. It was then, standing in that place full of childhood memories combined with hopes for the future that I fully realized what I needed to do to embrace a slower pace and be faithful to my heritage. I was going to pour my heart and soul into restoring this family heirloom”, she says.
“For eight months I disconnected from the world outside of Vagli Sotto and lost myself in the day to day rebuilding of my Grandparents’ dwelling. Stripping the house back to its core revealed true potential that excited me, along with a deep feeling of appreciation for my roots. Removed from all distraction, I found myself absorbed with giving new meaning to not only this precious inheritance, but to my own life also. Exposing the very bones of this place that had been an enormous part of my Grandparents’ lives was an emotional experience and, in some ways, I felt as though they were with me every day during those months as I worked to create a humble home that would serve as a place to escape. “
Today, her Italian house is a heaven not only for her, but for the family and friends she has invited here to share in the beauty of living a calmer and simpler life. “It gives me so much joy to see new acquaintances, find pleasure in the slow, easy days that the house fosters. It reminds me of my own discovery process, which in turn fills me with a great sense of pride for all that my Grandparents’ home was, and all that it has become. Perhaps most beautiful of all, however, is the happiness that comes from bearing witness to my own two girls enjoying carefree summer days here, just as I did as a child many moons ago.”
This letter continues bellow…
To Catia, her farmhouse isn’t just her personal sanctuary, it’s also a place of study and experimentation, a quiet space for retreat and contemplation that encourages creativity and pauses the chaos and confusion of everyday living. Once a year, these rooms play host to like-minded people looking for a space to find simplicity: a creative retreat that encourages calm and reflection through minimalist comfort.
“Designed to be a fully immersive experience that incites clarity, creativity, and collaboration, the retreat is a three-day gathering for those who wish to slow down and discover meaning within their work and daily lives. Inclusive of honest learning experiences that provide guests with the chance to interact with myself and with one another, our days are typically spent exploring visual storytelling, styling, and branding for creative businesses. Leisure time allows for complete relaxation in an unplugged environment and the chance to immerse oneself in Tuscan tranquillity. It’s a great honour to know that the backdrop to such discovery for these new friends is the very place I found my own creative freedom and appreciation for simplicity; the home I lovingly brought back to life in honour of my Grandparents.”
Our homes are the core of our lives and the places where we can create a world that reflects what we most care about. By placing how we want to live and feel at the centre of our design decisions, whether it is to design an entire home or simply choose thoughtfully the objects that we introduce, we can begin to perceive design not just as a decorative way and instead start considering a tangible way to create the life we wish to live.
“I’ve always been drawn to natural textures and simplified spaces. There’s a calming energy in a room void of clutter and ítems that serve no purpose. As such, I strive to only include key elements in my home that inspire or foster connection to a greater meaning. The house is filled with nooks for quiet contemplation, such as a comfortable chair by the window and inviting reading corners that beckon you to settle in for a few still moments.
It was very much designed with the intention of promoting slowing down and it always makes me happy to see people do just that when they visit. I truly believe that when we prioritize feelings and experiences as much as our belongings or our style, we begin to create spaces that facilitate the life we want to live. Whether it’s a larger undertaking, such as restoring an antique wood burner, or the simple gesture of placing a chair by the kitchen window for a quiet moment while the tea is brewing, bringing calmness to these places can be the beginning of experiencing slower, more thoughtful moments in our daily lives.” - Catia finishes.
More than ever, is the time to begin living slowly, drawing into our homes and reconnecting with the spaces that hold us safely.
Thoughtful and with care,
Foresta Family
