history

Built in medieval times,, with cantina walls that date from the 14C, the house was first renovated in the 1700s, as indicated by the external staircase, the plastering over the stones, and enlargement of windows and doorframes.

We've been told that in the 1800s it was owned by a local signorile family, the Quartieri, as a summer house. The family would retreat here for the pure air and the breeze that comes up the valley in the afternoon. One of the last counts is said to have been born here in 1901. There's a Quartieri street and statue in Bagnone, and the family still own the large private villa there.

When we asked our neighbours if our house had a name, they said they'd always referred to it as al palaz (dialect for il palazzo  in the sense of 'the big house' where gentry used to live). So that's what we call it when the house needs a name. We heard two zeds, but really it should only have one!

Photo: the house when we found it in 2001, with 'Long Live the King' in graffiti on the front wall. It's been our privilege and joy to make it fit for the next few hundred years.

​Restoration 

Above: before and after restoration

In 2001, during a month's holiday in Lunigiana, we'd been idly looking for somewhere to live un bel di (one fine day). Se took the road to Mochnignano Chiesa, drove round the corner, and into the square. Lovely house with the outside staircase, she said. Lovely 'for sale' sign on the door, he said. We fell in love with the house on the spot.

It took three months to achieve a compromesso (agreement to buy). Then a year to disentangle all the details and get approval for our plans. We worked with an architect who liaised with officials for us and put together a team of expert craftsmen for the renovations.

Work started on the roof in November 2002, and by March 2003 the cantina was ready for us to camp in. Between April and July 2003 our workmen transformed the house, so that in August we were able to hold an inaugurazione (housewarming) for our new friends and neighbours.

Ever since then we’ve been adding the finishing touches that make the house our Italian home – and tackling the gardens which will always be a work in progress! ​

rebuilding

We left the layout of the house as close to the original as possible, allowing for modern plumbing and services. All the old main roof beams have been left to view, but the roof itself has been completely redone.

Stonemasonry and plastering were the key skills needed. Woodwork and ironwork provided finishing touches.

The stairs are original stone and cement.

​We'd hoped to use the original cotto floor tiles but the builders advised that relaying them was not practical. Instead, we’ve used easy-care ceramic tiles in the kitchen and dining room, and different types of modern handmade terracotta in the cantina and top floor rooms.

​A few of the original tiles have been set into the paving under the cantina arch and in the new garden terraces.

before and after

In the main bedroom, in the kitchen and in the cantina.,

building the pool and gardens

After we'd restored the house, we starting dreaming about creating gardens and a pool. For three years we repeatedly cut down nettles, mapped out the land, made a scrapbook of images, and sketched out our ideas in a simple A4 plan.

What we finally achieved in 2008 was even better than we imagined, thanks to the support of our architect, Giancarlo Bergamaschi/

From the top 'orto' (vegetable garden), steps lead down to a sheltered wisteria terrace, formerly the site of the chicken coop.

A path under rose arches leads to the octagonal ‘kiosk’ terrace (shaped to fit between overhead wires) and down the central staircase (made with deep treads ‘to fit David’s feet’) to the ‘prato inglese’ – a piece of English lawn that is a triumph of man over nature. A large flower bed brings colour all year round.

The pool area is a place to spend all day, with magnificent valley views and all services.

Next to the pool is the orchard, planted on land that we bought to to put the spoil from this pool. In 2011 we first planted fruit trees, a willow tree, and daffodils as a reminder of England.  Since 2021 we've been extending the planting here to give a pleasant shrubbery path from our car park  to the pool.

furnishing

After 30 years of making homes bit by bit, this was a chance for us to make a home from scratch.

We brought some favourite pieces from England - comfy sofas, family heirlooms such as the 1930's walnut dressing table, and items that trigger special memories - the cake-stand used by Jane's grandmother, the music stool carved by Jane's father, the tapestry we had made for our house in the UK.

Then we added some antique and hand-made furniture, plus new items, all sourced from shops and suppliers in the local valley.

The first floor has traditional Liberty style lighting. For the cantina and the second floor, we chose modern lighting in the Fabian range from Milan. The light at the foot of the stairs up to the second floor was handmade for this spot by the owner of the lighting shop. 

With family connections to Central Asia, wall hangings now include items from that area. And the kitchen is full of favourite plates from our travels in Italy and beyond.