Prugnanello
Pienza, Tuscany
 

• Sleeps 10-12, 5 bedrooms, 5 baths + staff/childrens room
• Air Conditioning
• 360 degree views
• High Speed DSL wireless internet
• Concierge Included

Summary

Prugnanello was once a 19^th century Tuscan farmhouse. Two sisters, Sabrina and Barbara, restored the villa, which totals 480 square meters in size, with meticulous detail and decorated it with very tasteful and stylish furnishings. The villa in its entirety can sleep 12 people and it has 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and 1 staff/children’s room with a separate bathroom. 

The house is broken down into three separate sections as to retain the original architecture.  Thus, there are 2 living rooms, dining room, one large kitchen that opens onto an open dining area, plus 2 kitchenettes.  Each section of the house has separate entrances, even though the house is intended to be used as a whole, which provides additional privacy and is perfect for families or couples, as the bedrooms are all ensuite. 

It is hard to believe that seven years ago the property lay in ruins. The owners spotted the abandoned farmhouse in the year 2000 but it took them two years to persuade the owner, an elderly Tuscan wheat farmer to part with it. It had been his first married home and so he was sentimentally attached. It took the sisters a further four years to obtain all the necessary planning consents and that was their second miracle. Because of all the red tape bound up in EU regulations and the fact that the house lies in a highly prized conservation area (UNESCO world Heritage Park) part of what Italians consider to be of universal historical importance The third miracle was installing the pool, which was hard to achieve because of the strict regulations to limit development in this prized commune. It took them a further year to complete the building.  The result is a charming villa, surrounded by undisturbed views, which are some of the best in Tuscany.

Fine Points

The sisters noted that the restoration of the farmhouse is the realization of a dream which they share after they finished their university studies. Their first project was a small bed and breakfast in Bagno Vignoni, a charming spa town nearby. After Barbara married her husband, Luca, the idea of buying a holiday home, which could be divided between the two sisters became a possibility. The architect designed the farmhouse into three separate homes within the one farmhouse so each group can have privacy, but feel together when they want to.  Due to generous living areas in two of the divided areas there are plenty of places to enjoy each other’s company. Each area has its own private terrace, and personality-the view is so amazing from every aspect, each wing has its own special perspective.

Exterior

The architect managed to repair the roof and walls and install extra windows and doors to recreate an exterior that from a distance looked not dissimilar to the original ruin in order to retain its original charm.  The windows are deliberately out of alignment. The stonework is similarly random.

The pool is long, and great for laps.  The adjoining banks are prettily planted with agapanthus, lavender and white roses but the overall impression is wild and unspoiled in harmony with the surrounding breathtaking landscape. 

Interior

Many the materials Sabrina and Barbara used to restore the building were reclaimed, some they found lying around in the fields, and others came from the bric and brac shops, builders stores and the remains of old ruins. When new owners restoring old farmhouses want modern tiles to make a 2lst century kitchen they often throw out old tiles and bricks, which get stocked piled in a builder’s back yard. Finding these places is the real challenge, but Sabrina and Barbara painstakingly searched for old beams, doors, and bricks to lay in a herringbone pattern for the ground floors and upstairs they used antique old oak floor boards in various widths and lengths, which lends very much to the farm house appeal, rustic yet sophisticated.  Finally, they mixed in some modern touches especially in the bathrooms amenities, and the use of AC, to add a contemporary twist, which further adds to the villa’s character.

Left Wing Of Prugnanello

Ground Floor

Upon entering there a big living room with breathtaking view of the gently rolling hills around Pienza.  There is also a seating area that has a large fireplace with very comfortable couches. From the adjoining dining room, you can enjoy the view of the fireplace. You will also find a lot of books, a bookcase, HIFI for listening music, a TV with DVD player. The ancient Tuscan “cotto” gives this living room a very warm atmosphere. There is an access to a kitchenette, convenient for getting snacks.

Bedroom

Adjoining the living space is a bedroom that also has a separate entrance from the outside.  There is a double bedroom with a Baldachin bed composed from very ancient laces with an ensuite bathroom with an antique wash-basin and big washing machine.  This bedroom is perfect for staff or children.

First Floor

The bedrooms are all ensuite, with AC, and antique cypress wide plank floors.

Bedrooms

A warm coloured (peach) double bedroom with an antique king size bed. In the corner of this bedroom you find – hidden behind a hand made wooden “separé” with a tissu of silk - a huge round 170x170 Villeroy Boch tub with hydromassage. This double room has also a private bathroom with a shower.

There is a sky blue coloured double bedroom with ensuite bath which has a double shower and double wash-basins.

Between these two rooms there is an elegant room with a round little table and two armchairs from the 18^th century. Doors open onto a south facing little charming terrace from which you can enjoy the spectacular view of the Monte Amiata, the magic scenery of the Val d’Orcia with shifting lights and hopefully a good glass of wine.

Central Wing of Prugnanello

Ground Floor

Large wooden arched glass doors forge the main entrance into a large loft with queen truss (tipica capriata antica). The room is 6.50 meters high. Romantic round stairs in “ghisa” by Fonderie Viterbesi leads to the mezzanine, where there is a french bed. Below is a large eat in kitchen with a long antique wood dining table that fits 12 comfortably, creating a lovely area for lunch or dinner for when dining alfresco is not appropriate. The Tuscan-style kitchen has all modern amenities (4 burner gas stove, oven, large fridgerator, dishwasher, microwave) and is very comfortable for cooking and to accommodate all the guests-possibly for a cooking lesson?

Bedrooms

There is a charming double bedroom in warm earth tones with an ancient iron bed. An antique cupboard that was used as a shop window in the past feels adds character.  It is very warm and comfortable with two windows facing south. The bedroom has a private bath with hydro-massage tub.

Right Wing of Prugnanello

Ground Floor

From an arched door, you enter in a Tuscan kitchen with white and sky hand made tiles, a cozy living room with a fireplace and comfortable couches.

Bedroom

A hand made white wood door separates the living room from a charming double bedroom with its own bathroom. The pink coloured Venetian plaster bathroom has a large shower.

First Floor

There are antique cypress wide plank floors in the bedrooms.

Bedrooms

There is a double room with a special king sized baldachin bed and a charming yellow-orange coloured bathroom with hydromassage bath and shower. From the windows you have a spectacular view upon the rolling hills, the fields and small towns.

[Click each image for larger view]

Additional photographs and information is available for this property. Please inquire.