Chianti Villa
Chianti Villa is a charming 17th-century villa in the Chianti wine region near Monteriggioni, and close to Florence and Siena.
The house really offers the best of both worlds — close enough to explore Florence, but without the crowds.
House in Florence
This property offers easy COVID-19 cancellation terms:
In case of official travel restrictions due to COVID-19, guests can cancel up to 14 days before arrival.
The perfect combination of a quiet house with a beautiful view within easy access all that Florence has to offer.
The owners actually live in the house when they are in Florence, so it is a very personal place.
There is a small café/patisserie within walking distance. For restaurants, shops and Florence you need to take the car, a Vespa or the bus which stops just outside the house.
Two well-behaved Weimaraner dogs live on the property (never inside the house). If you are not ok with that, they will be taken somewhere else.
Please describe House in Florence in a nutshell.
House in Florence is a modernised 12th-century hamlet overlooking an olive grove, just outside the centre of Florence.
What was the inspiration and story behind House in Florence?
Since purchasing the property, we’ve always hosted family and friends but never intended to rent it out to guests. It was only when a friend rented it recently for a couple of weeks that we thought perhaps we should, particularly as we’re spending more time in London these days. It really offers the best of both worlds — it’s close enough to explore Florence, but without the crowds.
How would you describe the atmosphere and interior design at House in Florence?
It’s minimal yet eclectic. There are vintage pieces from a variety of periods that have been collected and refurbished, combined with modern Italian-made, underpinning furnishings. The result is comfortable, simple spaces enhanced by oak cabinetry and linen panels.
To you personally, what’s so special about House in Florence?
It’s a house for entertaining and very open — even the kitchen faces the pool so that whoever’s cooking can still communicate with everyone. There are plenty of spaces where individuals can do their own thing, whether that’s sitting quietly beneath a tree, napping on a sun lounger or swimming in the pool. I think it’s also special because of the fresh provisions that are available in the market and the shared food experiences.
Is House in Florence suitable for families with children?
There are some treasured pieces at the property and the pool doesn’t have a fence around it, so it’s really best for children 12 years and over.
The property features four interlinked houses set around a courtyard with a swimming pool, which overlooks a valley blanketed with rows of olive trees (at certain times of the day you can watch as wild boar run through). It’s very quiet and tranquil — you feel like you’re in the countryside — with nice breezes in the summer.
As there are quite strict rules in the area about what you can and can’t do, the exterior of the property is all original. But the interior has been renovated in a contemporary style, with three bedrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen and several living spaces.
You enter into the main living space, with a kitchen/dining area that’s designed with folding doors so that it can be hidden away when not in use. There are two sofas and a lounge chair in the living room, as well as a fireplace and doors that open to the courtyard.
Upstairs is another living room with a vaulted ceiling and fireplace, and this leads into the master bedroom. It’s equipped with built-in wardrobes and an en-suite bathroom with twin sinks, a bath and shower, and a winter garden. There are sliding panels lined in oak and a wardrobe featuring linen fabric that’s like an artwork floating above the bed.
Another guest suite is set across two levels — a downstairs sitting room with a toilet to one side and a shower on another, then an upstairs bedroom that overlooks the swimming pool from one window and spruce trees from another. Downstairs there is a cave-like room that’s been partially carved into the rock, with a toilet and sink under its stairs and an outdoor shower room.
We have a daily housekeeper who is on hand for everything you need. She will take care of the cleaning each day, laundry and looking after the garden.
Aside from the swimming pool, the landscaped courtyard features several umbrellas and seating areas shaded by vines, as well as a big dining table with room for eight people. There’s also a lounge area where you can relax while enjoying the fantastic views of Florence.
Florence is renowned for its museums and restaurants (we always leave a list of some of our favourites for guests), as well as the gourmet produce and wine that’s available in the markets. If you’re visiting in May or June, there are some amazing gardens in the region and you’re not far from the vineyards and cellar doors of Chianti.
Both Siena and Lucca can be visited as day trips, as can Pisa, and in around an hour you can be at the beach. I’d also recommend visiting Arezzo, particularly if you’re interested in vintage clothing or antiques as there are some fantastic markets and stores. The airport is just 13 minutes away and although it’s easier to explore with a car, Italy’s train network is also good.
The house is set on a private road around 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of Florence on what was the old Bolognese route to Rome. The village is called La Lastra and was once the last stop outside of Florence where people could stay if the city walls were closed. There are some really beautiful villas in the area, as well as smaller houses, and it’s heavily protected in terms of its heritage value. As a result, we have fantastic views that aren’t threatened by development.
A 10-minute walk from the property takes you to a small cafe where you can grab a coffee and brioche in the morning, as well as some essentials like milk. There’s also a post office and petrol station nearby but if you want a supermarket or the local market, you need to drive into town. Alternatively, you can catch a bus that stops just outside of the property and will take you into Florence.
To enjoy the house to its full potential and its outdoor living, I’d recommend anytime between April and October. We use the pool from May onwards. Florence is still popular in winter, the house has underfloor heating throughout and there are several fireplaces in the house to keep you warm.
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