Casa Saleiman

An Artistic Ode to Sicily

Interior designer Fabrizio Galvan was inspired by the canvases of Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Gustav Klimt and Joaquín Sorolla to create the shapes and colors of this striking hillside home in Sicily. Art, he tells us, is his passion - and that's abundantly clear here at the home he created.

Start with the striking pool, surrounded in wood terracing and large sculptural rocks, looking out across the hills to the sea. It's a dazzling space that, in itself, would be reason enough to stay here, but there is so much more to it than that.

The house echoes the use of rock and wood both outside and in. Its wooden and stone exterior walls blend with the interiors to create a beautifully organic space, with natural textures throughout. The picture windows, framed in wood, show off views of the Gulf of Castellammare, the Zingaro Reserve, the Tonnara di Scopello its stacks, and Ustica. Large rocks make appearances in the bathroom and under window ledges.

Then there's the color palette - simple whites balanced with deep teal and charcoal hues that show off the collection of artifacts created by the hands of craftsmen, and picked up by Galvan on his travels. We particularly like the antique headboards hung above the beds.

This house embodies the charm of its island home, weathered charismatically by time, water, wind and sun. A villa for rent in Sicily that's a treat for design lovers.

The open space living area and the outdoor spaces are spacious and well equipped. There is a bedroom on the ground floor, with a large window, overlooking the garden and sea beyond. On the mezzanine, there is a second bedroom and a study that can be transformed into a bedroom, with room for two people on a sofa bed. These two rooms separate from the rest of the house with curtains.

A second bathroom and outdoor shower are located next to the outdoor kitchen. The cooling, heating and ventilation system makes the house very livable and comfortable in every season. This villa for rent in Sicily sleeps six guests, making it perfect for a family vacation.

CASTELLAMMARE DEL GOLFO

The house is surrounded in countryside, five minutes drive from the closest town, Scopello, which has many restaurants and bars. A grocery store is also available on the way to the closest beach, Guidaloca (2km). It's on a wild stretch of coast, close to  Castellammare del Golfo, with its Norman Arabic castle, perched in an enviable position overlooking the sea. The town has other historical sites, including the Madonna dell Scala, a white structure carved into the rock near the port, and the Church of the Rosario, which dates back to 1100.

Don't miss the beaches, most notably Cala Petrolo and Cala Marina, as well as the long Plaja beach. Heading west, you'll find sea caves including Santa Margherita, which is reached only by sea and filled with sacred paintings.

The villa is also located within easy reach of Palermo, a fascinating mix of Roman, Arabian, Baroque and Norman influences, and a melting pot of style and culture. The Vucciria, Ballarò and del Capo street markets are a must, as is the harbor and Foro Italico waterfront with its glittering yachts.

LOCATION

Trapani, Castellammare del Golfo, Scopello, Italy. Nearest airport: Palermo.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring through fall.