Stay: Podere Palazzo
Tuscany, Italy
When Chicago designer Patrizio Fradiani bought this abandoned stone farmhouse from the 1700s, he tore it down. But instilled with an architect’s appreciation for historical significance, he studied and photographed the way it was built, using traditional construction techniques (down to the joinery in the exposed wood beams) to reconstruct it. He made use of local craftsman and resources whenever possible, and nearly every building material he used came from within a 10-mile radius: wood from the chestnut trees across the valley, rocks from the river below, matching bricks from the surrounding grounds. He recycled 100 percent of the stonework (using leftovers for the area around the pool), but when he needed additional terra cotta tiles, he went to a 400-year-old mill down the street where they were crafted by hand and dried by the wind.
“It’s just the way things have always been done here,” says Fradiani, who bought the place (with his partner Mark) because he was pining for a physical connection to his native Italy. Eschewing all the greenwashing hype that accompanies most environmentally conscious projects, Fradiani is so humble about his efforts. He went to lengths most people would never dream of—all for the integrity of the old and crumbling stone farmhouse, its first floor a former stable for pigs and cows.
Now a thoroughly modern, mountain-top villa with Donald Judd-like art installations, an infinity pool and patchwork views of the Tuscan countryside, Podere Palazzo is a design and foodie dreamscape. Berries, grapes, flowers, herbs, local variety of olive trees selected for producing a strong and fruity oil—and now, an orchard of 40 rare fruit trees all unique and different (an homage to the lost biodiversity of trees in the world)—grow among the spindly cypress trees and are free for the picking and cooking. Trails wind down the mountain. A flock of sheep rumbles by every morning (to our 17-month-old’s delight). Wild boars scurry about while we relax outside on the patio every night with a bottle of wine. Even taking a shower is transformed into a transcendental experience. Open-air, oversized farmhouse windows in the natural stone shower provide endless views of the wildly different landscapes—undulating golden fields, verdant hillside pastures, and deep, dense forests—that all come together in this one magical place.
The Details
Five bedrooms, five bathrooms, three fireplaces, one heated pool. Do not miss indulging in a three-hour dinner at nearby La Parolina, a restaurant by two young hotshot expat chefs from Rome, who chose the countryside over the big city. Rent it at poderepalazzo.com.
31 August 2010 | Jacinda Said:
This is so inspiring. Our home is “Tuscan” style (in Texas) but we try to decorate it with modern touches. This is exactly what we are going for! And that pool! I want!
01 September 2010 | Rebecca Said:
love love love your site. so inspiring. so beautiful. makes me want to jump on a plane right this minute!
02 September 2010 | Joe Said:
Beautiful houses & design! And beautiful blog, will definitely keep it on the short list!
21 September 2010 | Check out Designtripper | Strange Closets Said:
[…] Chicago Studio F Design founder Patrizio Fradiani’s Tuscan holiday home Podere Palazzo. Click here for Meghan’s post and more photos of the glorious Italian setting. If you enjoy traveling and […]
20 October 2010 | THE TOTAL PACKAGE [TUSCANY TYPE] | Said:
[…] is only made better by the fact that this room is inside this house (in […]
17 January 2011 | Sneak Peek: Casa dos Chicos | Designtripper Said:
[…] view of the mountainous coast and sparkling ocean. And if you’ve seen Patrizio’s Tuscan farmhouse, then you can imagine the thoughtfulness, care and detail he applies to the […]
11 November 2011 | Блогът на Cityscape » Blog Archive » “Една неархитектурна къща мечта” с особено важен двор (и баня) Said:
[…] ще използвам нещо направено от Patrizio Fradiani (описано в ТОЗИ блог – интересен се оказа и повечето снимки са от […]
14 November 2011 | Cityscape Blog » Blog Archive » “A Non-Architectural Dream Home” with an extraordinarily important yard (and bathroom) :) Said:
[…] skills on my behalf), I am going to use something designed by Patrizio Fradiani (described in THIS blog: it turned out to be an interesting one and the majority from the pictures are taken from that […]
10 December 2013 | A Work in Progress: Mazzini 31 - Travel Said:
[…] stayed at and written about Podere Palazzo, Casa dos Chicos and Domus Civita. All three involved impeccable and stunning renovations (and in […]
11 December 2013 | Go! Last Chance Summer - Travel Said:
[…] And go here for the… rope swing. pool with intertubes. teepees with rocky coastal views. little stream and best climbing tree in the whole wide world. island life and front porch living. infinity pool overlooking patchwork Tuscan landscape. […]
12 December 2013 | Go! Last Chance Summer - Fitness Said:
[…] And go here for the… rope swing. pool with intertubes. teepees with rocky coastal views. little stream and best climbing tree in the whole wide world. island life and front porch living. infinity pool overlooking patchwork Tuscan landscape. […]
24 December 2013 | A Work in Progress: Mazzini 31 - Said:
[…] stayed at and written about Podere Palazzo, Casa dos Chicos and Domus Civita. All three involved impeccable and stunning renovations (and in […]
24 March 2014 | Go! Last Chance Summer | Photography.xcuz.me Said:
[…] And go here for the… rope swing. pool with intertubes. teepees with rocky coastal views. little stream and best climbing tree in the whole wide world. island life and front porch living. infinity pool overlooking patchwork Tuscan landscape. […]
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03 July 2014 | Stay: Mazzini 31 | Photography.xcuz.me Said:
[…] followed this site for any amount of time, you’re probably already familiar with his genius (Podere Palazzo, Domus Civita, and Casa dos Chicos). Just finished, this three-bedroom, 17th-century noble […]
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