The Magic of Trulli

In the heart of the Valle d'Itria, just a few kilometres from Ceglie Messapica, in the beautiful countryside between Cisternino and Ostuni, the designer owner fell in love with this magical property which she has since restored - the first of many other projects.

In the grounds, delightful outdoor spaces have been specially created and positioned to provide relaxation at different times of the day and in all seasons. You can shelter from the northerly tramontana as you watch the sunset or you can enjoy the first rays of spring sunshine, while in summer you can lie in hammock or stretch out in the shade to enjoy a gentle cooling breeze. You can even sit on the roof and gaze at the stars!

Eating al fresco is a pleasure, as you sit under the beautiful rush-covered wrought iron pergola designed by the owner and created by a talented local craftsman. A siesta on one of the outdoor tufo sofas piled high with cushions completes the experience. And for those with energy, there are plenty of walks to be had around the property.

Set amidst luxuriant vegetation, the gently curving pool blends in with the landscape and conjures up visions of the Caribbean where in the past the owner spent some years.

The owner's in-depth knowledge of trulli and her expertise as a designer has meant that all the characteristic features of the building have been sensitively retained and restored. The windows remain small in order to filter the glare of the summer sun and allow it to penetrate gently indoors; where possible the floors are still covered with the old tiles - chianche - while the original main door has been saved and painstakingly restored.

All the careful conservation work, the original features so rigorously saved and re-used, contributes to the very special and welcoming character of the house: The barrel shaped roofs of the ancient lamie and the meticulously restored cones, rebuilt entirely of original recycled chianche sourced by highly specialised local experts - all this adds up to a house that is alive in all seasons and which in summer opens its doors wide to welcome family and friends.

The owner's longstanding restoration work - during which she has come to love and know every aspect of trullo construction - has led her to concentrate her work full time in this field. Transforming seeming ruins into glorious homes steeped in history is a constant inspiration and is now more than ever the focus of her attention.

The conservative approach to restoration has meant that priority is given to local resources and to workmen skilled in the traditional trades:

• where they are not original, the floors are made of cement in which the sand and cement are blended with the natural red earth surrounding the house, thereby achieving the perfect marriage between the interior and exterior;
• the cement from which the basins, the large bath and the kitchen surfaces are made (all designed by the owner), have been enriched with oxides in order to achieve their particular colour, and above all to create a sense of age which contributes to the perfect interaction between the interior and exterior.