My family is from Siena. I was born and raised in the area between Siena (where I lived with my family in the historic centre) and Vagliagli (a small village nearby). After my studies, I moved to Florence where I had the opportunity to work in the beautiful historic gardens of the Villas de Medici. There, I learned a lot about gardening and it became my passion. My love of nature, Tuscan gastronomy and design inspired this project and my return to my home region after several years in Florence.
The main building was once a typical Tuscan farmhouse that housed a large family of farmers on the first floor and animals in the stables on the ground floor. Today, the property is divided into four apartments, but it has retained the stone walls covered with white lime plaster and other original features such as terracotta tiles, tiled floors and wooden beams. The restoration is a sophisticated and elegant balance between original architecture and modern amenities. However, we have taken down several walls to illuminate the apartments and add modern comfort without compromising the charm of the old features. The new interventions in reinforced concrete are clearly visible and many windows, made by local craftsmen, have been added so that guests can enjoy the view of the garden and the surrounding landscapes. A similar approach was taken when restoring the two separate barns, Canopy and Africa, which were also converted into guest cottages. In the flower garden, an old stone cistern used to store water has been transformed into a small saltwater pool for guests to relax and cool off.
The origins of this old farmhouse located on the hills of the Chianti region in Siena date back to the 18th century and it was still inhabited by farming families just 40 years ago. My father bought it in the late eighties. The two barns, Canopy and Africa, were renovated between 1999 and 2000 by my brother, who at that time was completing his architectural studies. Nothing happened in the main building until the birth of our first daughter in 2008, when we decided to settle here and begin the renovation work. We moved three years later, at the end of the work, and devoted ourselves to creating the garden and furnishing the houses over the next two years. We have been welcoming guests since 2013.
We offer them the opportunity to enjoy a charming place to relax among the olive groves, vineyards and woods which are home to deer, pheasants and hares. Guests can experience the quiet Tuscan countryside less than ten minutes from Siena and all the amenities of the city, feel the essence of the place, and the soul of this life-long project inspired by a love of nature, gardening and design. Last but not least, they can enjoy the taste, the freedom and the meaning given to a place in the countryside through the careful, architectural balance of the old and the new.
The region is full of art, history, good wine, good food and good restaurants. Stroll through the vineyards to reach Cesare, the village butcher in the valley offering the best meat for a superb barbecue at sunset! If you do not want to cook, take the car and in twenty minutes you will reach Asinello Villa a Sesta, an excellent restaurant with Senio (a passionate chef) and a wine list that will not disappoint.
The property consists of a main house and two barns spread among olive groves, vineyards and woods. The main building is divided into four apartments: the owner's (Elisa) house and three other apartments named River - for six people, Zoo - for two people, and Moon - for four people. Each apartment has a private entrance, a fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen and everything needed to prepare meals. The rooms are bright and comfortable and the bathrooms are spacious and fully equipped. Each apartment has its own outdoor area: a place to read, admire the landscape and prepare outdoor meals. Two separate barns, Canopy and Africa, can accommodate six and two guests respectively.
ref 301468
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