Casa Morelli

How would you describe Casa Morelli in a nutshell?

Casa Morelli is an architectural masterpiece in the middle of Chianti Classico that’s decorated with custom-made furnishings, art and industrial pieces.

What was the inspiration and story behind Casa Morelli?

I wasn’t particularly looking for something in Tuscany but a friend of mine told me about this property for sale and I’m always open to new projects. I hadn’t been to Tuscany in a long time and when I returned, I was immediately inspired by the landscape, the food, the wine. It’s simplicity at its best.

How would you describe the architecture and atmosphere of Casa Morelli?

Casa Morelli was developed as one piece, which allowed us more opportunities to leave Holzrausch’s signature mark compared to other properties they have worked on. Part of the building dates from the 16th century, with the open-plan living area and study added recently. It’s hard to distinguish between what’s inside and what’s outside — they seemingly blend into one another.

Inside, we focused on simplicity through the use of just a few beautiful materials. We made the floors, bathrooms and showers from a coloured grotto brick, which was also used to build the kitchen. The walls were plastered with hand-screened plaster and we had the old chestnut beams sandblasted. Together with the fireplace, this all creates an incredibly beautiful atmosphere. While the materials inside the house are relatively dark, the expansive glazing lets in a lot of light.

All of the furnishings and appliances we selected are of the highest quality — from the comfortable beds to the Burmester hi-fi system and the Berkel cutting machine in the kitchen. Most of the interior features were custom-made for the house, including the shelves, cabinets and kitchen, as well as the washbasin and bathtub, which were milled from massive Tuscan travertine blocks. The lighting concept was also specially developed for Casa Morelli before being manufactured in a small factory.

In the living area, there is a large pane of glass facing the terrace that works like an electric sliding glass door. When it’s opened to its almost five-metre width in the summer, the inside and outside merge seamlessly.

To you personally, what is so special about Casa Morelli?

It just feels really good being at Casa Morelli. This is not only due to the house but also because of the area. From the terrace, you have a wonderful view over the vineyards, olive groves, forests and hills of Tuscany. It’s an absolute dream when you sit there on the terrace.

Is Casa Morelli best suited for couples, families, groups? What’s your policy on pets?

We welcome children and well-behaved dogs, provided they’re not on the couches or in the beds. Guests must also guarantee that their dogs stay on the property as the area is used by other people in the condominium.