Masseria, Italy

Masseria Italy

I was fortunate to work alongside the Essentis Group, a renowned award winning property developers in the luxury property market.  As one of Italy’s leading innovative developers the traditional fortified farmhouse known as “Masseria” was reborn. The developers set about recreating new build masserias to exacting traditional stone masonry standards, sourcing local stone called Pietra Leccese  chosen to specifically blend and harmonise with the natural surroundings.  A soft limestone, whose malleable and dense structure is good for carving detail and is light in colour an attractive cream grey stone.

Spatially, the masseria internals, I designed with modern living in mind and “alfresco dining”.  The walls were left as raw off white chalky plaster finish, I chose a muted natural earthy pallet of colours from Marston and Langinger paint range for the joinery.  Locally sourced stone tiles were laid to create a cool and calm flooring for the interior and to harmonise with the striking stella stone ceilings throughout the property.  

I designed bespoke joinery throughout including full height shutters which were fitted to every external door, necessary to create a cool haven from the harsh summer heat beyond.  I commissioned overscaled lanterns to my design to be fitted to a monolithic cloister, an external walk way connecting the kitchen to the bedrooms.

Using a very talented local joiner, an entire wall of joinery was commissioned to section off the vast master bedroom in order to create a dressing room beyond.

Unusual pieces of furniture were sourced such as the Banque de France cupboard, a huge patinated piece with original paint and ironmongery, to create a house keepers cupboard for the purpose of storing crockery.

An very old door from the French Pyrenees was used to create a rustic dining table in which a frame was made specifically.

The highly acclaimed Masseria made front cover of Homes and Gardens.