Villa Marcello

Surrounded by the typical Puglian landscape of olive trees, fields of deep red earth, and low stone walls, Villa Marcello is a most striking and contemporary abode set in spacious grounds, only a short distance (2.5km) from the lovely ‘città bianca’ of Carovigno and only a 15 minute drive from the seaside village of Torre Santa Sabina, where seafood restaurants and cafes overlook the sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea.

Crisp black framed glass doors and large windows are a sharp contrast to the creamy white stone exterior, creating an overall modern impression.  On further inspection, architectural references to the past have been cleverly incorporated into the fabric of the building: the arches and pillars of the immense covered terrace; the vaulted exposed stone ceilings in the living room and bedrooms; and most effectively, the original trullo on the land is now an integral part of the villa and has been transformed into a splendid bedroom suite.

Space and light are key features of the stylish interior, where the large windows and doors allow light to flood in and frame the outdoor landscape to great effect.  The smart black kitchen contrasts with the white painted walls and stone floors.  Whilst the overall colour theme is understated neutrals there are touches of soft pastels throughout, such as the dusky pink chairs, pale blue sofas and doors, and patterned tiles in the bathrooms.

The immense covered terrace overlooks the pool area, with a stone path linking the two.  Further open terraces can be found around the villa and just outside the trullo there is an interesting stone cobbled area, a typical feature of the trulli in the past. Spacious grounds dotted with olive trees, majestic in their splendour, complete the picture.

Amenities are close by in the town of Carovigno (2.5km), one of the charming white towns in the area, where white painted houses line narrow streets that eventually open out onto piazzas which buzz with daily life. Carovigno is historically linked to Torre Santa Sabina on the coast, one of a number of delightful coastal villages with a laid back atmosphere.