I'm Mariana Ugarte, the founder of Casamar Studio — an interior designer turned creative director now living in Milan after nearly a decade in London. I started my career designing interiors, running my own design company for eight years, and have always been passionate about helping people feel at home in beautiful spaces. But it was through my own relocation experience — becoming a mum of two, moving to a new country, and navigating the maze of real estate in a foreign language — that Casamar was born.

I grew up in the Philippines, built my life and business in London, and eventually moved to Milan to raise my two boys. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with real estate. Working as a creative director for a real estate company gave me a new perspective — one that combined my design background with a deeper understanding of the buying journey.

When I first moved here, I struggled. I didn’t know the neighbourhoods, I didn’t speak the language fluently, and I was getting daily calls from agents without any filter or guidance. It was overwhelming. I realised there was a gap — a way to make the process smoother, more curated, and more human. Especially for expats like me who are trying to build a new life in Italy.

Casamar was created to be the service I wish I had. We help you find the right home by organising viewings across multiple real estate companies, creating a personalised itinerary, and offering one clear line of communication throughout. We also offer guidance on where to live based on your lifestyle, work, or schooling needs — because choosing a home is about more than just square metres and price.

At its heart, Casamar is about helping people land softly in Italy — with less stress, more clarity, and a home that truly feels like theirs.