Rustic in Italy

A huge thanks to Deb who sent us a link to an Italian magazine "Le case di Elixìr". They feature gorgeous homes in several styles they call shabby chic, meltin' pot, classic and contemporary. I am most definitively drawn to the rustic, "shabby chic" homes in Italy that speak of history. I found one that made my heart melt. This is how I always imagined living in Italy (it's been a dream of mine forever, as my mom is Italian), in a rustic villa with stone/brick walls and floors and wooden beams, with bits of modern furnishings thrown in for shock factor. This villa is going to haunt me (delightfully) for a long time. 

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The architect's home 2

Still continuing the relationship that the architect has with their home space. In the previous post it was b-arch's Alessandro Capellaro. Now it is his colleague and co-founder at b-arch Sabrina Bignami's personal space. Casa Orlandi, a late-18th century palazzo was underwent a minimalist restoration acknowledging its history and the passage of time. Inserted into this time capsule is a modern home of contemporary design classics and found objects. It is as if the old house is a stage and the contents a set on which to play out the owner's life. Whatever it is, it is a fabulous juxtaposition of old beauty and cool new style.

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The architect's home 1

I'm fascinated by the spaces that architects call home, by the designs they create for themselves. Today I am posting the homes of the principles of Italian architectural studio b-arch. This is the Florentine home of Alessandro Capellaro. 300 old ballot boxes were used to delineate space, provide storage and formed the basis of furniture pieces inside an old carpenter's workshop. Capellaro's home explores the nature between the historic and the contemporary, between the empty and the filled and between the new and the re-used. It is a story of what has gone before, what can be re-imagined taking on a new life and what is necessary for the present. It is downright cool.

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Monaci delle terre nere

I need to get my arse to Italy. It is SO beautiful and kind of embarrassing to be half Italian and not really having ever visited the freaking country (except once when I was 4). We heard about this home turned hotel in Sicily, Monaci delle terre nere, from the folks of Welcome Beyond and it's quintessential Italian - rustic and full of history (check out the old wine press!). The building is of historic importance and used to be owned by monks. It is set on the slopes of Mt. Etna looking over the Mediterranean. It is part of an 40-acre organic farm where we grow different varieties of fruit. We also have a vineyard and an organic vegetable garden for the guests. The restoration took about three years. We used only local materials and as little chemicals as possible and are about to get an eco-tourist certification. There are six rooms. We eventually plan to have 12 after having restored the three old stone buildings by the vineyard and the wine cellar. But this will take a little while.

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La Bandita

"Ever wish you had a friend with a stylish house on a beautiful hillside in Tuscany, one who knows the best local restaurants, towns and vineyards? Well now you do."

With a tag line like that you know have found the perfect holiday getaway. La Bandita is the creation of music executive John Voigtmann who had the crazy idea of ditching the big city and the celebrities and with his wife restore a derelict Tuscan farmhouse. It's relaxed, comfortable, modern yet rustic, stylish and no fuss. Sheep wander past the perfect pool, views go on forever and I wouldn't be surprised if lunch continued on till dinner. Down a long bumpy road is a slice of Italian heaven. The best things in life are always off the beaten track.

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