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The charming town of Camaiore is nestled between the Apuane Alps, a national park, and the famous coastline of Forte dei Marmi, the chic summer playground of the Florentines, with designer boutiques open until midnight for comfortable, after-dinner shopping. This setting offers an interesting combination of options for travellers to Tuscany; easy access by car or train to Portofino and the Cinque Terre, close proximity to the beach and Lucca, day trips to Florence, the spas of Montecatini Terme and Chianti. As the house sits on the edge of town, and therefore within easy walking distance of shops and restaurants, you can choose between the social life of Italian country living, and the private refuge offered by Villa Montebello itself. The Villa, originally built in the 1600', was completely re-structured by a noted Milanese designer for her own enjoyment and use. The result is a very personal and dramatic house, elegant and sophisticated and yet immersed in the casual village life of Tuscany. The layout of the home, with a fantastic master bedroom suite occupying the entire first floor, is best for a couple with family or who will be hosting guests. There are considerable comforts -- plenty of space for relaxing in private or together, an easy flow from inside to the surrounding garden and all ensuite accommodation. The views are quite remarkable as well, across neighboring rooftops and gardens to the dense green mountains or distant shimmering sea. In an article published in Italian Architectural Digest, the owner describes how she was drawn to 'a sort of fluid magic about the hills of Camaiore.
Features:
Elegant and sophisticated holiday home between Lucca and Portofino
Pool with pool house
All ensuite accommodation
Superb full-floor master bedroom suite; ideal for couple with guests or family
Walking distance to town of Camaiore
Numerous easy day-trips within 40 minutes, including the famous ocean-side at Forte dei Marmi
A narrow lane leads past neighboring houses to this elegant, gated Villa. Mature cypress, black cherry and chestnut trees add distinction to the flowering shrubs which fill the front garden. A circular gravel drive brings you to an open stone staircase to the Piano Nobile and formal entrance. To the north side of the villa, an ancient Roman 'hortus conclusus' is still enclosed by its original stone walls. This tranquil garden can still inspire the quiet moments of contemplation for which it was originally designed. Today the design of this garden is simple, a broad green lawn with flouishing bougainvillea and wisteria climbing the ancient walls. A round table with umbrella is set for cool relaxation. An open stair leads to a stone-paved terrace for dining al fresco at a long table. Exiting the enclosed garden brings you to the back lawn, edged with a dense, tall stand of bamboo that serves as an especially splendid backdrop when illuminated at night.A shady green 'allee' of bamboo leads past a pool house (with changing room, full bath and storage for a collection of children's toys), to the the pool (12 x 5 meters) set in a private garden area, also ringed with trees and shrubs.
GROUND FLOOR
Entrance hall with stone tiled floor, antique mirror and side table, plus antique upholstered couch. Stairs lead to upper levels.
Large laundry room, pantry, extra fridge and additional storage.
Large bedroom suite reached directly from the drive with sitting area and double bedroom (queen). Modest light from windows looking out to side lawn. Ensuite bath (shower stall). (Most suitable for nanny or teenagers, available on request).
PIANO NOBILE
Formal entrance directly from driveway into expansive two-room living room and dining room. The owner has superb taste and an excellent eye for unusual and interesting art and objects gathered gradually over ten years as she sourced just the right thing to complete the overall look of the house. An antique marble-inlaid table holds a collection of architectural models; the Eiffel Tower, the leaning tower in Pisa and the Villa Montebello. The walls have been covered with a cool, fresh, spring-green, oak-leaf print fabric, and the gleaming wood floors are softened with tapestry rugs. The round, draped dining table is set at the end of the room, before an antique sideboard and large oil. As this room runs along the west side and is almost the length of the house, you enjoy several large, draped windows giving onto the wonderful west-facing view of Camaiore and the sea beyond. The living room is separated by a broad archway and is also finished in a pleasing palette of greens. The two green cotton couches are set before a working fireplace with beautiful carved wood mantel and huge mirror. One wall of floor-to-ceiling bookcases is filled with books on art and design. Two tall windows look out on the bamboo stand. A fascinating embroidered turn-of-the-century Turkish fortune-telling device hangs from one wall. TV with CNN and VCR. CD/double Tape player.
Large fully-equipped kitchen (4-burner gas stove, oven, fridge with separate freezer, dishwasher, double sinks), with three large windows facing town and garden. (Being completely renovated in Winter 2003.)
Guest bath.
FIRST FLOOR
Fantastic, full-floor master bedroom suite designed for elegant living. Main bedroom with brass canopy-style bed (queen) draped in lace and finished with excellent, crisp white linens. Two antique dressers plus small tufted couch. TV. Three windows with an especially lovely west-facing view of town and sea. Open study with handsome wood desk set before three large windows overlooking Camaiore and the enclosed garden. Open sitting room with separate twin bed. Large dressing room, simply but functionally equipped. Main ensuite bathroom (tub with hand-held shower, no curtain) with two inset sinks, the walls hung with family portraits. Second full bathroom, smaller and simpler, with enclosed shower stall. Private staircase to living room from master bedroom suite.
SECOND FLOOR
Small double bedroom (queen) under eaves, reached directly from stairs, with brass bed and armoire. Two small windows provide view to garden. Ensuite bath (tub with hand-held shower, no curtain) has wood floor.
Central sitting room with two low, broad windows overlooking the town and sea beyond. There are couches for relaxing, TV and CD/Tape player. The hardwood floor is laid with needlepoint rug. There is a second phone line for this room, which is connected to a fax machine and is modem compatible.
Open kitchen (4-burner gas stove, small fridge, dishwasher, double sinks) and long modern wood table with lovely cushioned benches. View onto cypresses. Walls hung with a series of architectural studies of wall and door styles.
Simply furnished double bedroom (twins can combine to form king), finished with white linens and cut-work drapes. View of neighboring gardens and mountains beyond. Ensuite bath (tub with hand-held shower, no curtain).
Small and lovely double bedroom (queen), with red batik silk headboard and white silk damask bedspread. Also enjoys view of gardens and mountains. Ensuite bath (tub with hand-held shower, no curtain).
Notes:
Saturday arrivals only. Fax machine. Cleaning included 3 hrs/day, 5 days/wk. Additional cleaning available on request at E. 8.00/hour. Excellent nearby catering service will provide prepared meals for take-out or serve-in as requested. Garden and pool maintenance included. Crib, highchair and some toys available.
Points Of Interest:
Camaiore (local shopping, supermarket, restaurants): 1 km, 1 min. by car
Lucca: 25 mins.
Florence: 1.25 hrs.
Pisa Airport: 50 mins.
Extras
gas; heat; electricity; telephone; additional cleaning; cooking services; food, wine and consumables; refundable security deposit ($3,000)
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