Hunting for Treasures: Furnishing Il Ritiro from Monferrato’s Antique Markets

One of the most joyful parts of owning Il Ritiro, our holiday villa in Vignale Monferrato northern Italy, is hunting for the perfect pieces to make it truly special for us and our guests. Every Sunday, armed with curiosity, a keen eye, and a wad of euro, we set off to explore the antique markets of Casale, Alessandria, Asti, and Nizza Monferrato.

There's something magical about these markets—the air buzzing with stories of the past, the excitement of discovering something unique, and the thrill of imagining how a vintage chest, a quirky lamp, or an ornate mirror might find a new home at Il Ritiro. Each town has its own character:

• Casale Monferrato was our very first market and it is the regions largest, it delights with sprawling stalls brimming with furniture from every era, from elegant Art Deco cabinets to rustic farmhouse tables and even an incredibly well preserved 4 leaf walnut extension table and a life sized bronze lion. Our first purchase was a lovely marble topped gilt side table.

• Alessandria offers a treasure trove of curiosities and like Casale its a very large market spreading out of the Piazza into the park and down the side streets, from delicate ceramics to retro signage and all sorts of glassware. The lovely antique desk and chair in the master bedroom was from these markets..

• Asti is where we often find small, unexpected gems — a pair of bedside cabinets here, some dining chairs there— all bringing warmth and charm to the villa.

• Nizza Monferrato, surrounded by vineyards, combines local craftsmanship with timeless elegance, perfect for finishing touches in our Monferrato retreat. we've had some great luck here with the bedside couch, the instant ancestors adorning the sitting room wall, the bar, and some ornate mirrors.

Every item we bring back has a story. Sometimes it's a perfectly worn leather armchair that invites you to sink in with a book; other times, it's a quirky vase that sparks conversation over a morning coffee on the terrace. Together, these pieces help make Il Ritiro more than just a holiday villa—they give it soul, character, and a sense of history that blends beautifully with the rolling hills of Monferrato outside.

For us, these Sunday mornings are more than shopping trips—they're adventures. And every time we place a new treasure in the villa, we imagine the delight of our guests discovering it, enjoying it, and making their own memories here.

If you visit Il Ritiro, you'll see the love, care, and stories hidden in every corner. From the antique desk in the office to the 'instant ancestors' in the sitting room, each piece reflects a journey through the heart of Monferrato's markets and the joy of creating a home away from home.