• Contact Us
• About Us
• Other Publications
• KELSEY Publishing Group
• Subscribe
• Newsletter
• Careers

A Tuscan tradition

For over thirty years the Di Rosa family has occupied a traditional 17th Century villa. Located near the medieval Tuscan town of Lucignano, over four hundred metres above sea level, this enchanting house has views over two hundred hectares of gardens and perfumed hills abundant with olive trees, laurel, fennel, rosemary and iris.

The Tuscan villa previously belonged to a lady who was related to the Dutch royal family and her husband, who was a lieutenant in the British army. “In the 1970s the couple purchased the house for the equivalent of £2,000,” says Fulvio. “When their children grew up and moved away, they decided to sell. When my parents first saw it they immediately fell in love with the secluded space and Tuscan landscape and bought it as our family holiday home.”

In 1984, when celebrated architect Fulvio Di Rosa embarked on a career restoring ancient ruins and abandoned properties, he relocated to Tuscany from Turin, with his wife Aurora and their teenage son Edoardo. “It was a personal decision to move to Tuscany based largely on the lifestyle and nature here,” he explains. “I’ve a passion for ruins and I fell in love with the idea of starting projects from scratch and restoring them to create new communities, breathing life back into previously abandoned parts of the countryside. Before the move, I commuted weekly from Tuscany to Turin to manage various projects, so I decided to make a new life here. This house fitted the bill perfectly.”

Since moving to Tuscany over twenty years ago, Fulvio has restored a variety of properties including farmhouses, hamlets and ancient palazzos. His first project ‘Renaiolo’ was an 18th century farmhouse, followed by ‘Sogna’, a 12th century hamlet close to Siena, the elegant 14th century Palazzo Benci-Ulivelli in the historical town of Montepulciano, a 10th century convent called Carbonaia and many more. Perhaps his most celebrated is the former 13th century abandoned ruin, ‘Casa Fonte delle Foglie’, the private retreat of his friend Frances Mayes, the best-selling author of ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’.

In 1990, Fulvio sensitively restored the ruins of the 14th century hamlet Borgo Di Vagli, (meaning ‘between the valleys’) near the medieval town of Cortona and perched on a sun-drenched unspoilt landscape in the Niccone valley, Fulvio introduced a fractional ownership scheme, a unique opportunity for visitors worldwide to own a piece of Tuscan life.

“This project was driven by me in terms of project planning, architecture and interiors,” he explains. “I wanted to do something that was true to the origin of the buildings and offer a real medieval experience to visitors. When you restore a project of this stature you’re not only embracing a culture but you’re restoring a part of everyday life. If I hadn’t restored Vagli it would have become a hamlet reduced to dust by now.’

Fulvio has a distinct and well-nurtured passion for art and music which his home reflects. “In terms of the landscape and situation it’s a beautiful house that is surrounded by nature and it’s a peaceful place to live,” he adds. “Chapters from every part of my life are associated with this house, I have memories relating to special artwork or pieces I’ve collected from all over the world.”

Inside, the rooms are spacious and rich in colour and texture, with clay brick walls adding an authentic rustic feel. Deeply recessed windows have exterior and interior shutters and allow breathtaking views from every room in the house.

The villa is a house to be enjoyed in all seasons, but during the long hot summer months much of life is lived outdoors by the pool, enjoying views of the green rolling hills, or wandering amongst the acres of olive trees in the gardens, drinking in the scent of wild iris, lavender, laurel, fennel and rosemary or dining alfresco on the terrace.

Fulvio is not overly fond of well-manicured gardens. “The true Tuscan feel is that of a natural growing landscape, you don’t need to do anything more,” he smiles. “Nothing has been added to our garden. If you want to be true to the origins of a place you shouldn’t force the situation by using things that don’t belong there. I always say if you want to really be authentic, don’t add anything!”

When Fulvio isn’t working on his restoration projects he devotes a large part of his time to Atopos, a non-profit making foundation which furthers the awareness of contemporary music. He’s formed a lifelong friendship with Daniele Lombardi, one of Italy’s most influential composers and pianists. Together, the pair set up an annual music festival welcoming some of the world’s greatest contemporary classical music composers and performers. It takes place in Sogna, one of Fulvio’s restored 12th century Tuscan medieval hamlets near Siena.

“During our spare time as a family we like to visit wineries, or take a trip to the seaside, and we tend to holiday in Northern Italy,” he adds. “I still have an emotional attachment to Brazil as I worked there for eight years for the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. Brazil has had a profound influence on my life, not just professionally but also spiritually from the people, culture, flora and fauna and music.”

The Di Rosa’s sense of belonging in Tuscany is largely due to Fulvio’s committed dedication in restoring historic landmarks, which has somehow unlocked the hearts of local people. “I am passionate about Tuscany, its beauty, culture, lifestyle, architecture and heritage,” says Fulvio. “I derive immense satisfaction from working with original materials and local skilled craftsmen, many of whom have worked with me for the past 25 years.”

As with all of his work, Fulvio’s home is a reflection of his own design philosophy. “I wanted to remain true to this building’s heritage, yet make it a family home for the future. When you live so close to nature you really feel the need to reduce your impact on it,” he says. “My approach has always been to consider the environment, nature and an appreciation of music and art - my home is a combination of all these subtle things. When you put together the food you’re tasting, the music you listen to and the people you are with, it creates an atmosphere and beauty
for sharing the experience of what is around you.”