Mirror Houses
Mirror Houses are two luxurious holiday homes in South Tyrol for 2 to 4 guests each. Their modern design is surrounded by apple orchards and incredible views of the Dolomites.
There is a history behind it. There is love. And there is family. This is really important to us.
How would you describe Villa Molise in a nutshell?
Villa Molise is surrounded by hills and spectacular nature in the Molise region of Italy, with views overlooking the Adriatic Sea. It has been designed as a place where we can share our local traditions and respect for nature with guests in a warm and familiar environment.
What was the story or inspiration behind Villa Molise?
Villa Molise once belonged to my great grandparents who lived here with their animals. My grandparents told me that because they had no electricity, their parents would warm themselves from the breath of their cows during the winter months. It’s stories like these that have been passed down through our family that make Villa Molise such a special place.
We renovated and refurbished much of the house while keeping some of the details made by my grandfather, such as the old chimney and oven. My grandparents also established the olive grove and vegetable gardens - they are compassionate, down-to-earth people who have devoted themselves to working the land and caring for the environment. I think I have inherited this mindset about respecting the land and being at one with what surrounds you.
How would you describe the atmosphere and interior design?
The interior design is minimal while featuring natural elements, colours and traditional details. For example, we’ve decorated one of the walls with baskets made by the grandmothers of the village and we’ve constructed furnishings using wood and bamboo. The colours selected (light greys and greens) are also warm and natural.
To you personally, what is so special about the house?
The family history of the house is very important to us. Villa Molise isn’t close to where we live, so it was difficult doing the renovations and it would have been far easier for us to have created something closer to where we are. But we worked with my parents and grandparents on this property because we love it and it’s something we care deeply about.
Guests who have stayed in the past have become friendly with my grandparents who still work the surrounding vegetable gardens and sometimes they will bring them fresh produce or eggs. So it is very familiar and personal.
I think it’s also special because of the beautiful surroundings. Whenever I check guests in, they are immediately impacted by the natural beauty of the place. It’s very peaceful and there are plenty of areas where guests can relax with a book or sunbathe.
There is a history behind it. There is love. And there is family. This is really important to us.
Villa Molise is set across two levels, which are connected by an outside staircase as is typical of houses from our village. On the ground floor, there is an open-plan living room and kitchen, as well as a bathroom and the main entrance to the house. In front of the property are a patio and a large garden, with views stretching all the way to the sea. On the other side is another patio made from light wood where we like to project movies onto the wall.
On the left-hand side of the property is a laundry room and the staircase, which leads up to the second floor. Here there are two double bedrooms, both with en-suite bathrooms, and one with an additional sofa bed so we can accommodate up to five people. There’s also a parking area and we’re also in the process of building a pool and sunbathing area, which will be ready by May 2021.
Ground floor: Spacious kitchen, living/dining room and access to the panoramic terrace and the garden
Upper floor: 2 double bedrooms with ensuite bathroom with shower. One bedroom can have an extra bed. Both bedrooms can only be reached via the external staircase.
Total floor space of the house: 180 sqm, patio: 100 sqm
We provide a welcome kit on arrival with a bottle of extra virgin olive oil, bread, natural fruit jam and fresh eggs from our chickens. The property is self-catering but we can organise meals to be prepared at a nearby restaurant and have them served by a hostess with a nicely-prepared table setting.
Additional cleaning is also possible for guests who are staying longer than a week.
One of the most popular trips our guests do is to Tremiti Island, which is something amazing. The water is crystal clear — it’s a paradise! It’s around 30 minutes’ drive from the house to Termoli, from where you can take the ferry to Tremiti Island. Alternatively, you can do a one-day boat trip around the island including lunch and aperitifs. Termoli is also very nice, with a rich history and a castle, as well as a beach club that allows dogs. On the surrounding coastline, there are several ancient fishing machines that are now home to restaurants offering spectacular sea views.
Around 15 minutes’ drive from the house is the village of Civitacampomarano, which has been transformed into a contemporary art museum. Many of its old stone houses have been decorated with street art by the Roman-based Alice Pasquini (who is quite famous for her work) and it’s a great place to take photographs. There are many villages to visit in the surrounding area, as well as a religious sanctuary and an ancient amphitheatre.
Villa Molise is around five minutes’ drive from Tavenna, a typical stone village that’s home to around 500 people. There’s everything you need here — a small supermarket, a pharmacy, a doctor and an ATM. Naples is around 2.5 hours by car while Rome is just over three hours away.
Because this part of Italy isn’t well known, we still have very clean air and there are several trails around the house where you can go walking or running in the morning. We also have bicycles available and there’s a horse stable around an hour away if you’d like to go riding. There are several picturesque lakes nearby and the closest beach is around 40 minutes away. In winter, the nearby mountains receive enough snowfall for skiing and snowboarding.
From May to October is the best time to visit, although we are organising to also host people during the colder months. It’s very beautiful in the autumn and with a warm house, winter is perfect for skiing and relaxing with a good book.
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