getaway, decamping from Rome as often as possible with
friends in tow. “Every season is magical because of the
changing landscape, and visitors adore it.”
Life here is about simple pleasures, with a creative crowd
of artists, designers and architects savouring peaceful days
spent sequestered in their villas rather than being seen in the
“right” places: the fashion designer Luisa Beccaria has restored
a 17th-century castle nearby; the painter and sculptor Sergio
Fiorentino has a characterful live-work
space in town; and the fashion-editor-
turned-decorator Edoardo Marchiori has
moved here from Milan.
“It’s not a glamorous place,” insists
Salini, who likes to host laid-back dinner
parties, preferring to keep the menu
simple (“fresh fish and vegetables”) with
plenty of good local wine from the Noto
valley. “It’s very quiet – like stepping
30 years back in time. The south of Italy
has a strong respect for tradition and it
feels very authentic. We want to preserve
that feeling – not for it to become the
next Ibiza,” he laughs. “With this
hideaway, I’ve really achieved what I
wanted to – that kind of elegance that
puts you in a mood where you can relax
and put your feet up on the sofa.” nLeft: the hilltop site offers panoramic views.
Below, from top: Italian Madonnas; a table
for alfresco dining. Bottom, from left: a place
to sit and enjoy the changing seasons; beams
are left exposed, as is the local tradition;
in keeping with the rustic style, a pair of
basketweave pieces hang over a guest bedAbove, from top:
doors open wide on
to the garden, bringing
nature inside; bold
vintage and modern
pieces bring the rooms to
life; hand-cut local-stone
floors flow through the
house and out to terraces,
furnished with relaxation
in mind; the interior’s
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