Casella
Approached by an avenue of iconic Cypress trees, the house, garden and pool are the stuff of dreams, in a setting that is exquisite, even by Umbrian standards
Casella, a farmhouse that dates back over 400 years, has been transformed into a house that is perfectly in step with its exquisitely beautiful setting. Hills ripple out from the river valley where vineyards, meadows and woodland are tucked in together. The approach to Casella itself is along an avenue of Cypress trees that hugs the upwards curve of a hill - it’s picture-book pretty, entirely private and yet not far from the cosmopolitan buzz of Perugia.
The recent renovation has turned this traditional rural dwelling into a delightful and deeply comfortable house for ten. The careful restoration has revealed the original features as the unflashy stars of the show: beautiful wooden ceiling beams and antique cotto floor tiles give warmth and soul, while anything new, such as the sleek kitchen and the designer chairs, fits seamlessly into the building’s beautiful history.
A soft autumnal colour palette reflects the landscape, as does the careful edit of natural materials including different woods, cotto tiles and Carrara marble. The rooms flow seamlessly from one to the next, with enough space for guests to find themselves a quiet corner, or to come together at the large dining tables or in the sitting areas, both inside and out.
While the house itself has been beautifully restored, so too the garden and grounds, and for most of the year guests can live happily between the two. The covered outdoor dining and sitting area has a chimneyed fireplace and there’s the fabulous, heated pool, but what lies at the real heart of this property is its setting and the views of the wooded hills reaching to the Appenines.
Casella is just five minutes away from Antognolla, one of Italy’s most celebrated golf courses, and Perugia, with its art galleries, shops and restaurants can be reached in less than half an hour, while smaller towns are on the doorstep.