Kate Lyons

In conjunction with Historic Italian Homes we found a beautiful lake side property on the shores of Lago di Como, in a small village called Lenno. The house is situated in the oldest part of Lenno and the whole area is steeped in history and beauty. In many ways it seems like stepping back in time.

We are very lucky to have inherited a beautiful garden, which runs down to a quiet bay on the lake shores and pergolas covered with very old vines and a Wisteria. The Wisteria makes the garden even more enchanting in late spring, when it flowers and creates a lilac canopy to shade us from the sun.

The house we found though was a different matter! There was potential however the property had been divided into many small dark rooms and had not been lived in for many years. Together with Historic Italian Homes, the builder and Geometra recommended by them, we set about the restoration of this old house.

Our plan was to open up all the rooms, bring the beauty of the lake into the house and create a fresh and contemporary style whilst being sympathetic to the original features of the property. We started the restoration in October of 2004, by taking out most of the ground floor internal walls and making a number of new window and door openings. Upstairs we put new French windows in almost all the bedrooms and installed a modern marble tiled bathroom. By the summer of 2005 the house was finished.

We found the entire crew of craftsman that we worked with in Italy to be enthusiastic, creative and keen to restore this 14th century shell to a gem. They all seemed to be called Roberto! Today we still enjoy bumping into them around town; however I am not sure that either of us understands the other with our language barrier. Learning Italian is Phase 2 of the project.

Throughout the process of finding, buying and restoring our home in Italy we found both Steve and Karen to be professional, passionate, knowledgeable and always helpful. We have enjoyed the process hugely and without reservation would be happy to recommend Historic Italian Homes.

Now we are looking forward to many years of enjoying “La Bella Italia”

"...We found the entire crew of craftsman that we worked with in Italy to be enthusiastic, creative and keen to restore this 14th century shell to a gem. They all seemed to be called Roberto!"
- Kate Lyons

Medieval archway leading to the house

Slipway by the house

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