Armed with a list of contacts from The Sunday Times we set off to explore Italy. We were looking for a modest condominium which would be easy to maintain and relatively inexpensive to purchase. But, we were bitterly disappointed by the developments we saw which were little English enclaves with no real Italian flavour.
A few days into our trip we had arranged to meet Karen and Steve. It was a day that changed our lives. Backed up by the brief taken at our initial consultation, they had found 5 properties for us to view.
It was increasingly evident as the day progressed that the possibilities that were being presented to us were becoming very exciting. These possibilities intrigued us!
We saw one completed house that Historic Italian Homes had totally renovated for clients and were amazed by the quality of that house and the reasonable costs incurred. Although we only saw this house as a point of reference, we were warming to the idea of undertaking a restoration. We were also impressed with the cosy atmosphere and lovely setting of Karen and Steve’s home and began to think that maybe we could afford character and comfort after all.
The last viewing of the day was a ruin: a derelict property ‘that was in desperate need of being loved’. As we climbed broken gates and trampled through dried grass, what we didn’t realise was that this would eventually become our cherished home. As we stepped inside we saw piles of rubble, an old bike and plants growing everwhere. So, against all expectations we decided that a restoration was the way forward for us!
The planning and design stages were handled efficiently so that within five months of signing the contract the building work began. Believe us, negotiating legal and financial permissions as a foreigner in Italy is no mean feat!
On a subsequent visit we met Gaudio the local ‘Geometra’ (architect/surveyor) whose work on the finished house we had so admired. The plans he drew up for our house needed no change at all. With a deep affection for the local area and its history, with his use of reclaimed materials for an authentic appearance and his unerring eye for design he is invaluable. With him came a dedicated team of artisans who work to his exacting standards. He has even negotiated that the road to our house be moved, along with tons of soil, so that we could build a patio overlooking our spectacular view.
We so look forward to enjoying our new home. The air is clear, the colours bright, the location peaceful and the amazing view which is subtly different each time we visit.
Throughout this whole experience Karen and Steve have impressed us with their dedication to detail and the service they offer. They have helped us at every stage of the project, overseeing the work in Italy and keeping us fully informed of each development. They have made the unthinkable come true for us and without them we would certainly never have contemplated taking on such an ambitious project. In the process they have become firm friends.
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"...We would never have taken on a project of this magnitude in England, let alone abroad, if it hadn’t been for the superb service offered by Historic Italian Homes."
- Martin & Elizabeth Alpren 
The house after the trees and vines had been cleared 
Casa Felice finished
Extra Imagesclick here for more images Videoclick here for video footage
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