The beautifully crafted restoration of a villa in Tuscany

Eight, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments with a solarium and heated swimming pool are being created in the meticulous renovation of a historical villa in Tuscany. Ville Degli Olivi, in Lajatico, Tuscany, Italy is a rustic 18th century stone house which overlooks the surrounding, stunning, countryside. It is located in the heart of the village, perched on a cliff, with a large olive tree garden.

Realitalia's Ville Degli Olivi in Lajatico

The common staircase boasts an original vaulted ceiling and the apartment itself has handsome solid wood doors with 18th century style iron hinges produced by local artisans. The windows are of solid wood in an antique style but double glazed for high energy efficiency and come with the proper certifications.

Hidden technology

There are handmade, traditionally produced terracotta floors with an antique appearance created by the use of reclaimed tiles and a special mixture of raw materials as well as a particular treatment process similar to the original ancient way of working.

There are also exposed stone walls and a spectacular vaulted ceiling which has been meticulously refurbished. Reclaimed wood that has been waxed has been used as flooring in the bedrooms and close attention has been given to the terracotta window shelves, arched niches and wooden beams.

The bathroom boasts a handsome stone washbasin on a solid wooden shelf and tiles are of antique travertine. In addition to the aesthetic perspective, the hidden technology includes underfloor heating and cooling system, amplified by dehumidifiers for your comfort.

Utilities are remotely controlled, allowing you to switch on the heating the day before you arrive for efficient home management. This is also useful if you intend to rent the property. Also the added facility of the entrance door opening with keys or a code means people can easily check in at midnight. The management company looks after the properties.

Eco perspective

An example of the sympathetic restoration being undertaken by Realitalia

The furniture in the apartment combines old with traditional shabby chic style. If you decide to use Realitalia Furniture Package you can have an unlimited choice of colors, materials and designs for your kitchen which is a mix of industrial/artisan production. This leaves you room to customize the interior.

From an eco perspective, all materials are sourced locally where possible. Explains Luca Catalano of Realitalia, “As Italians we care deeply about our buildings and it is very important to us that older style homes are enhanced with love and devotion as we renovate. This extends from the building itself to the furnishings”.

Luca continues “Sustainability is also high on our list of priorities and these homes have been designed to save energy with high levels of insulation, quality wiring and plumbing and hidden solar panelling. Local materials have been used where possible or produced locally, such as the cotto tiles for the floor.”

The one bedroom apartments are priced from circa £200,000, two bedroom from approximately £250,000 and three bedroom from around £420,000.

The one bedroom apartments are priced from circa £200,000. Two bedroom from circa £250,000 and three bedroom from circa £420,000.

Realitalia’s ideas blend tradition with technology, respect for local society with respect for the environment and on-site service with low maintenance costs.

Realitalia is a member of the UK Green Building Council (www.ukgbc.org) and signed the 2016 Commitment to build zero carbon emission homes by 2016. The company says it creates the home people have always dreamed of, shaped around their own individual needs and tastes.

Details of Ville degli Olivi in Lajatico:

At Ville Degli Olivi, Realitalia has converted the main house into five apartments each with a panoramic view. The finished project will also have three additional brand new homes integrated into the landscape. The scheme will, as a result, create a small boutique-style living environment – fully managed – located inside the village of Lajatico.

At Villa Degli Olivi, Realitalia has worked in collaboration with Lajatico-born architect, Alberto Bocelli (brother of the classical singer, Andrea Bocelli who appears annually at the famous Teatro del Silenzio in the heart of the Lajatico countryside).

“The town has a secluded feel, “says Luca Catalano, “yet it is only 30 minutes from the Tuscan Riviera with its choice of spectacular beaches. The location is also close to the historic villages of Volterra, Siena and the cities of Florence and Pisa.”

For more information, telephone 0870 8909936 or 0044 870 890 9936 or go on-line at www.realitalia.co.uk

http://www.travelsupermarket.com says that these are the best ways to get to Lajatico from the UK:

Lajatico, Tuscany lies a few miles south east of Pisa airport. Pisa is served by non-stop flights from the UK with four airlines:

• Easyjet from Bristol, Luton and Gatwick
• Ryanair from Leeds Bradford, Stansted, Prestwick, Bournemouth, Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Liverpool
• British Airways from Gatwick and/or Heathrow – varies by season and date
• Jet2 from Newcastle, Leeds Bradford and Manchester

Many of these routes are daily and year round, however some only operate two or three times of the week – see websites for details

Flight times to Pisa are around two hours

Prices are from as little as £5 one way when seat sales are on with carriers such as Ryanair. Average prices are around £80 to £150 return.

See http://www.travelsupermarket.com for more information

© Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog, 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.