Casa Pinsent

“L” for Luxurious Restoration

Rescued from the ravages of abandonment, this former farmstead was reconfigured into a classic villa for rent in Tuscany at the hands of an Italian interior designer and her husband. No strangers to architectural preservation, the couple located the home’s original drawings in the local archives and riffed artfully on their theme, melding rural rusticity with contemporary polish, balancing exquisitely restored historical elements with a modern design vision.

An L-shaped agricultural building dominating a dramatic, boulder-studded hilltop in Tuscany, this property was brought back from ruin by Rome-based interior designer Ilaria Miani and her husband, Giorgio. The couple have dedicated the last two decades to breathing new life into dozens of Italy’s abandoned architectural gems, and this now-luxurious former farmstead is evidence of their expertise and dedication. 

What first captivates Miani are a neglected building’s faded glories. They guide the restorations—elements such as a sagging handhewn crossbeam or a lasting piece of colored plaster. In the case of Casa Pinsent, the villa’s agricultural soul spoke volumes. The farm’s stony exterior was completely restored, including its massive exterior stone staircases. Today, the farm’s pastures are filled by a generous infinity pool and neatly landscaped gardens, and panoramic views extend in every direction over the quilted valley. Guests can enjoy a pick-your-own herb, flower and vegetable garden, and the alfresco dining terraces have been sturdily rebuilt using ancient stones from Arezzo’s town plaza. The old farm still offers unobstructed views onto the cultivated gold and green hills. 

More refined than rural now, the home’s interior offers a luxurious, country estate ambiance. Walls of matte plaster in velvety neutral tones are a soothing backdrop for stately, elegant furnishings, both antique and contemporary. Generous hearths reveal the villa’s humble farmhouse origins, and a timeless country kitchen features updated modern appliances and direct access to two spacious patios created for dining and entertaining.

Read more about designer Ilaria Miani here.

AROUND

Occupying a commanding position on a rocky hilltop, this villa for rent in Tuscany offers a panoramic view over the Orcia Valley from its three landscaped acres. The scenic village of Contignano, a quick 5 minutes’ drive away, is a timeless Tuscan hilltop community with red-tiled rooftops and a few hundred stalwart inhabitants operating a handful of commercial enterprises including the town butcher, baker, grocer and even a pecorino cheese maker. 

Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage region in 2004 for its unrivaled beauty, and this home is pure Tuscany—land of rolling hills, roads lined with towering cypress trees, and medieval and Renaissance villages rising from every crest in the landscape. The region extends from Siena to Monte Amiata, and also contains the DOC wine regions of Brunello di Montalcino and the Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, as well as the cities of Siena, Perugia, Assisi and Florence. 

Villages soaring from hilltops offer markets, tasting rooms, artisanal studios and delicious trattorias, cafes, and restaurants. Wine and gastronomy tours are a favorite activity in the area, as are cycling tours. Equestrian opportunities are available, architectural and historic visits abundant, and the region also offers plenty of walking and hiking options along regional footpaths.

LOCATION

Casellaccia, Val d’Orcia, Tuscany. Nearest airports: Perugia, Florence

BEST TIME TO VISIT: March to October