A sleek, architect-created villa immersed in a centuries’ old olive grove, this luxury retreat combines the best of contemporary design with the leisurely styling of a breezy country estate. All-natural materials make up the refined home, where local stone slabs lead to the angular entrance, wide glass doors open onto the pool terrace, and the gorgeous eat-in kitchen features a unique combination of Travertino bianco and rich walnut.

Architect Luca Zanaroli planned the layout of the house so that it didn't disturb any trees within the olive grove, and it's this respect for the environment that defines it. Numerous windows bring the dry earth, lush greenery and blue skies inside, bordered by Corten steel frames that create a smooth transition between the architectural space and the nature around it. Stone walls and smoothly plastered surfaces allow the furnishings to take center stage. This is a striking space, but it's an intentionally restrained one.

Abundant nature surrounds this geometric home, its angular structure softened by luxurious flowering garden beds, spilling shrubbery and gently twisting olive trees. An L-shaped, reflective swimming pool anchors the outdoor spaces, its stony deck lined with sun-loungers to soak up the Italian rays.

A sophisticated space of sleek, modern design, this villa for rent in Italy was intentionally created to stand in symbiosis with its surroundings. It’s decidedly contemporary, with geometric proportions, softened by its all-natural design elements like rich woods, cool marble and stone, and an interior design palette in soothing, earthen neutrals.

Three bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, are set off a central corridor. One bedroom is equipped with twin beds, while the other two are double bedrooms. An additional bathroom offers added privacy and convenience. Each of the suites is furnished simply, yet elegantly, and all look out onto the garden and grove. In keeping with the all-natural emphasis, headboards, doors and cabinetry are a rich wood, walls and floors are neutral and uncluttered, and linens are made of natural fibers.

The home’s common areas offer laid-back luxury. A spacious living room is equipped with a designer fireplace—a long and low, incorporated wall hearth around which chairs and a built-in sofa unit are set. Again, walls and floors are created to be peacefully pure and uncluttered, with décor kept to minimum, only pure-lined ceramic accents and floor lamps as additions. Huge sliding glass doors open onto the swimming pool area with its majestic, millennial olive tree dominating the ample terrace. 

The home’s kitchen is its showpiece, a wide, galley-like space offset by windows on three sides and an expanse of beautiful wooden cabinets creating the fourth wall. A generous countertop bar in dark wood seats six, and the adjacent cooktop and sink are built into an elegant marble bloc from which the wooden bar extends. The kitchen opens to an outdoor dining area with a barbecue and a natural marble table set in a shade pergola adjacent to the pool.

Outdoors is private and serene. The villa is gated and set artfully within the surrounding olive trees. Illuminated pathways venture into the garden space, and the pool offers a view onto the landscaped beds and a lawn. An intimate outdoor shower is also available down a private wooded path.

AROUND

Located near the magical white city of Ostuni, one of the region’s most famous, this villa for rent in Italy makes a great base for exploring Puglia, in Italy’s boot heel. The Valle d’Itria occupies an area known for its gently rolling hills, oil-producing ancient olive groves, vineyard lined country roads, and easy access to both the Adriatic and Ionian seas. The home is located only 3 kilometers from the sea, and Ostuni has many local cuisine and shopping options, as well as ancient tourism sites known for rich history and culture. 

The nearby town of Alberobello has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its many trulli structures, and the picturesque villages of Cisternino and Locorotondo also make for great getaways with plenty of the region’s iconic trulli, small cafes and markets, and artisanal boutiques. The famous ports of Polignano a Mare and Monopoli offer turquoise Adriatic waters, Roman churches and archeological sites, and lively beachfront communities.

LOCATION

Martina Franca, Taranto, Puglia, Italy. Nearest airports: Brindisi (30km), Bari (50km).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: April to October