We have long regarded Italy close to our hearts.
Originally we considered buying a property in Italy with some friends. However, the reality did not match up with our dreams. They were more interested in purchasing in southern Italy whilst we wished to be closer to the history, culture and scenery that we had grown passionate about.
After an initial consultation and spending a day with Karen and Steve in Italy, viewing the short-listed properties, we were smitten. It was obvious from the outset that Historic Italian Homes had listened carefully to our thoughts and desires and had presented us with a number of suitable properties. Of this list there were two properties that really captured our imagination.
But through a series of coincidences it was finally ‘Il Molino’, a derelict olive mill, that presented itself for adoption! Whilst wandering around the site, pouring over plans and viewing other completed restorations we began to dream of the home we could create.
Within the space of two months these original plans were refined and work began on the loving reconstruction of the dilapidated olive mill. Paul’s long held dream of personally designing a property had presented itself. The vaulted ceilings in the kitchen and dining room, a personal touch inspired by Paul, were hand-crafted by an Artisan. These still excite us on each visit. The craftsmanship is second to none and we continually bore our friends of the intimate details of each piece of stone in our hillside paradise.
Historic Italian Homes came to our rescue again when it came to the design of the gardens. They introduced us to a fabulous local Italian garden with whom we have worked extensively to create expansive beds of lavender and rosemary, resurrected the once abandoned olive groves and created a green oasis of cyprus trees, pine trees and sweeping lawns.
The original millstone has been strategically placed as a reminder of how things used to be!
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"...We started with two walls and now we have a magnificent home – and it was fun!"
- Sue & Paul Stuart 
Il Molino - the wall they purchased 
Molino finished with the gardens 15 months later
Extra Imagesclick here for more images Videoclick here for video footage
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