Every time we encounter this home, our thoughts inevitably return to the day of the first inspection, when its original state demanded a true leap of imagination. A significant transformation lay ahead—so radical that a simple renovation alone could never achieve it.
Buying an old house requires vision and a certain measure of courage to embark on a new adventure. Our clients’ vision was always ambitious: to live the charm of a countryside farmhouse within a property that offered none of those references, apart from the surrounding landscape. And for us? It was about fulfilling their dream, but with a contemporary touch.
Unknown Virtue is a stunning example of how the right renovation can unleash hidden potential, revealing the subtle beauty within. For instance, the portico of the old facade became an opportunity to expand the interior space, creating a stately stone volume that extends toward the sea, establishing a new facade with a distinctly rustic elegance.
The new design develops the entire living area on the ground floor, in close connection with the garden through large arched openings carved into the stone structure. Whether sipping coffee in the entryway armchairs, chatting around the dining table, or choosing the next book from the library, the eye is continually drawn to the Versilia coast, creating a peaceful, fireplace-warmed retreat for the mind.
The kitchen, discreetly set back, is one of the most essential rooms, featuring a large island in fine Calacatta marble. Everything is arranged so that as you chop, wash, cook, or plate, your view can always stretch out to the sea. Among the owners' wishes was a cozy breakfast nook with a bench, inspiring the creation of an intimate corner in harmony with the rest of the kitchen, highlighted by elegant Canaletto walnut paneling.
Outside, under a timber roofed portico in classic Tuscan style, the kitchen continues, crafted in concrete with steel accents, all in natural gray tones for a distinctly modern feel.
The entire sleeping area is located on the first floor, where the main bedrooms each feature en-suite bathrooms and a constant view of the sea. The relationship with the landscape is further enhanced by access to a long terrace atop the new stone volume, accompanied by a slender iron trellis for climbing plants. From here, on the finest days, the view stretches out as far as Gorgona. At night, it almost feels like touching the stars.
All the materials—many of them reclaimed at the clients’ request—and every furniture finish, like the custom iron bookshelf, make this home truly unique, perfectly reflecting the character of those who live here.
Today, the house is complete, yet it will always remain in a state of evolution, as its renewed spaces inspire new ways of living within them. This process is unfolding beautifully because its very special owners finally feel at home in their countryside retreat.
Every time we encounter this home, our thoughts inevitably return to the day of the first inspection, when its original state demanded a true leap of imagination. A significant transformation lay ahead—so radical that a simple renovation alone could never achieve it.
Buying an old house requires vision and a certain measure of courage to embark on a new adventure. Our clients’ vision was always ambitious: to live the charm of a countryside farmhouse within a property that offered none of those references, apart from the surrounding landscape. And for us? It was about fulfilling their dream, but with a contemporary touch.
Unknown Virtue is a stunning example of how the right renovation can unleash hidden potential, revealing the subtle beauty within. For instance, the portico of the old facade became an opportunity to expand the interior space, creating a stately stone volume that extends toward the sea, establishing a new facade with a distinctly rustic elegance.
The new design develops the entire living area on the ground floor, in close connection with the garden through large arched openings carved into the stone structure. Whether sipping coffee in the entryway armchairs, chatting around the dining table, or choosing the next book from the library, the eye is continually drawn to the Versilia coast, creating a peaceful, fireplace-warmed retreat for the mind.
The kitchen, discreetly set back, is one of the most essential rooms, featuring a large island in fine Calacatta marble. Everything is arranged so that as you chop, wash, cook, or plate, your view can always stretch out to the sea. Among the owners' wishes was a cozy breakfast nook with a bench, inspiring the creation of an intimate corner in harmony with the rest of the kitchen, highlighted by elegant Canaletto walnut paneling.
Outside, under a timber roofed portico in classic Tuscan style, the kitchen continues, crafted in concrete with steel accents, all in natural gray tones for a distinctly modern feel.
The entire sleeping area is located on the first floor, where the main bedrooms each feature en-suite bathrooms and a constant view of the sea. The relationship with the landscape is further enhanced by access to a long terrace atop the new stone volume, accompanied by a slender iron trellis for climbing plants. From here, on the finest days, the view stretches out as far as Gorgona. At night, it almost feels like touching the stars.
All the materials—many of them reclaimed at the clients’ request—and every furniture finish, like the custom iron bookshelf, make this home truly unique, perfectly reflecting the character of those who live here.
Today, the house is complete, yet it will always remain in a state of evolution, as its renewed spaces inspire new ways of living within them. This process is unfolding beautifully because its very special owners finally feel at home in their countryside retreat.
