Stone and Light

A recently built stone house with large windows, a panoramic swimming pool and a garden set amongst the olive trees

Ref. COR394

Set amidst the green countryside of the Cortona area, where rows of olive trees slope gently down towards the valley and the evening light bathes the stone in a golden glow, stands a recently built house that evokes the spirit of ancient Tuscan country homes. The stone walls and balanced proportions evoke tradition, whilst the large windows overlooking the garden bring in light and the landscape with a thoroughly contemporary sensibility. With 170 square metres of floor space and sweeping views across the countryside, it is a cosy and secluded retreat, yet just a few minutes’ drive from everything you need.

The ground floor

Upon crossing the threshold, a small living room offers a discreet welcome and leads to the brick-built kitchen-diner with a central island, whose windows look out onto the outdoor patio, so that everyday activities are always accompanied by a view of the greenery. Just beyond lies a second living area bathed in light, with a fireplace and large windows that blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors: in summer, the garden seems to spill into the house; in winter, the fire draws life together around it. The same floor features a spacious double bedroom with French doors, a bathroom with a window, and an adjoining room currently used as a walk-in wardrobe.

The first floor

A charming staircase leads to the upper floor, where there are two further bedrooms – one of which has a walk-in wardrobe – and a second bathroom. This is where the morning light arrives first, and the tranquillity of the countryside makes the rooms naturally restful.

The garden and swimming pool

The house is surrounded by a carefully tended 3,600 m² garden, where olive trees, fruit trees and flowerbeds mark the passing of the seasons. Set amongst the lawn is the 5x10-metre panoramic saltwater swimming pool, with a depth ranging from 1.20 to 2.00 metres – a body of water overlooking the landscape where summer days unfold at a gentler pace. The entire property is fenced and features a well and an automatic irrigation system, which keep the greenery lush even during the hottest months.

Cortona and the heart of central Italy

The historic centre of Cortona is about 15 minutes away, with its medieval squares and shops overlooking the Valdichiana. The location is central to the most famous villages of Tuscany and Umbria, and in about 8 minutes you can reach the motorways and dual carriageways leading to Florence, Arezzo, Perugia and Lake Trasimeno: a truly rural setting, where you never have to sacrifice comfort.