For Rent: A Revived 16th-Century Farmhouse in Puglia - Remodelista
Back in 2006, a San Francisco–based Italian-American couple set out to find an Italian retreat near her native city of Bari. Despite the compound’s “horrible state of repair,” the couple fell under the spell of Villa Pizzorusso‘s Romanesque architecture and Arabic detailing and never looked back. Photograph via Designtripper. The central courtyard of the villa is entered via a grand archway. Under the vaulted ceiling of the masseria’s former stables, the salone provides a communal gathering, cooking, and eating area with an open kitchen and seating for 16. The owners designed the interiors of Villa Pizzorusso themselves. The result is an eclectic mix of custom built-ins (by Mino), local antiques, and contemporary finds that pay homage to the building’s past and present. Photograph via Designtripper. The antique regional pottery on display, including a Puglia piece that the owners came across in a vintage shop in Hawaii. Old meets new(er): In the courtyard, the original Romanesque fortification from the 1500s abuts the “piano nobile” (noble’s quarters), built in the 1700s. Upstairs, the piano nobile retains original Moorish details, such as the ornate tiled floor and arched doorways. Photograph via Designtripper. Above L: In the upstairs bath, a Spoon by Agape bathtub offers a memorable view. Very carefully edited, the interiors of Villa Pizzorusso consist of a few choice pieces, selected to enhance the architecture. Photograph via Designtripper. Photograph via Designtripper. The villa’s grounds are equally impressive and include olive and citrus groves, an outdoor eating area (with a working, 500-year-old, outdoor oven), and a 25-meter (82-foot) swimming pool. More rustic but no less grand, the lower-story bedrooms have star-vaulted ceilings and stone floors. Above L and R: Part of Villa Pizzorusso’s charm lies in its combination of sweeping vistas and more intimate nooks. Photograph via Designtripper. Another alcove provides spaces for writing and repose. While the owners strove to keep the renovations as authentic as possible, they did make a few concessions for modern comforts, such as an updated kitchen and baths, as well as the night-lit pool. Villa Pizzorusso sleeps up to 14 people in six bedrooms. Weekly rentals start at $5,600 during the low season: January to mid-March and October 24 to December 12.