Wallpaper 11

DEPARTURE INFO

From a view-inding villa in Australia to an art-inspired ryokan in Japan

Dream factory

Turning the barrel-vaulted interiors of a

1930s tobacco processing plant in Diso, Puglia,

into a luxurious six-bedroom boutique lodge

now seems something of a no-brainer, but

full kudos to its owners – an Italian diplomat

and his Vietnamese lifestyle bloger

wife – for recognising the building’s potential.

Lecce-based architect Rafaele Centonze

executed a sensitive rehabilitation of the

building and the grounds, the latter stylishly

landscaped with silver olive trees and dry

stone walls. The bright rooms are lined with

polished concrete and recycled timber, and

decorated with vintage pieces collected by

the owners on their travels. In high summer,

a garden lap-pool and the clear waters of

nearby Castro Marina are a delight, though

the lodge loses none of its charms in winter

as guests retreat indoors for home-cooked

meals and a bijou cinema. Daven Wu

Diso, Puglia, tel: 44.20 7377 8518 (UK),

thethinkingtraveller.com.

Rates: from €8,600 per week

MASSERIA IL TABACCHIFICIO, PUGLIA

Into the wild

HEADLAND HOUSE, NEW SOUTH WALES

On the ruged coast of Illawarra, New

South Wales, an extraordinary property

overlooks the Pacic Ocean. ‘The building

twists and morphs toward specic views,’

says Andy Carson, the architect behind

Headland House. ‘The land and seascapes

are in constant change; whales, dolphins

and ships catch the eye.’ Guests are

welcomed by a concierge (who stocks the

kitchen with local produce) and can relax

in a minimalist interior featuring the work

of Australian designers and artists. Werri

Beach, the best spot for surng in the area,

is a short walk away. Carrie Hutchinson

dovecote.com.au. Rates: from A$2,950 (£1,612)

per night, minimum two-night stay

Photography: Michael Nicholson

HIGHER GROUND

Above, Headland House

comprises a storm-

watching room, living

spaces and four

bedrooms in a series of

cantilevered pavilions,

as well as a courtyard

with a swimming pool

LEVEL BEST

Left, the Masseria

Il Tabacchiicio’s dining

room, with white-

washed walls, domed

ceilings, chairs

by Eero Saarinen and

Verner Panton, and

industrial-style lighting

∑ 211

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