Masseria Moroseta

Ostuni, Puglia, Italy
14 guests
6 bedrooms
6 bathrooms

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Luxe Living: A property with a high level of craftsmanship in architecture and design, as well as comfort.

Bed & Breakfast: A home with multiple rooms that provides bed and breakfast

Countryside: Out of town, in rural or agricultural settings

Modern Farmhouse Created in Honor of Old World Country Estate Traditions

Stunningly spare and stony white against its blanket of centenary olive trees, this old world-inspired, yet entirely new Puglian farmhouse strikes a commanding pose over the Adriatic Sea. Green built of local sandstone, with traditional limestone floors, the starkly simple, modern architecture is enhanced by solar power and sustainable features, yet echoes the patinaed prestige of the great country estates of the region's past, seen in its seductively arching porticos surrounding the central courtyard and the stately masseria's tranquil, rural refinement.

Among the Ancient Olive Trees

With all the forms and spaces of the traditional farms dotting poetic Puglia, this newly constructed masseria does double duty with great style, embodying the best of modern architecture melded with classic rural simplicity. Blindingly white and strikingly linear against the silvery green backdrop of its vast organic olive grove, with the gleam of the Adriatic Sea beyond, the modern farmhouse is softened by the muted hues and textures of its limestone floors, sheltered courtyards, stacked stones, and arched openings.

Travelers looking for a designer holiday home in Italy will love its six generously-sized rooms, that sleep 14 comfortably, its reflective lap pool lined with loungers, and its thoughtfully curated selection of locally-discovered, antique and vintage interior design pieces and textiles, many for sale upon request.

The owner of this property near the Italian town of Ostuni wanted a modern building that wouldn't feel out of place among the ancient olive trees that surround it, so he recruited designer Andrew Trotter to blend the traditional architecture of local masserie with contemporary minimalism. The result is a bed and breakfast that blends old with new - stark, clean lines with softer natural elements and modern takes on classic, rural simplicity. Recycled local sandstone, tufo, has been used throughout, and each room has a vaulted ceiling, with thick, cooling walls.

Built around a central courtyard, the property sits within high-walled private gardens filled with orange trees. Private room terraces present olive grove views in classic Puglian style. Communal spaces encourage gathering, including the bright living room, lazy veranda, delightful outdoor kitchen and barbecue, spa, gym and large pool though solitary moments are easily accessed all around the property, in tranquil nooks and the vast working farm, open to touring.

The property puts eco-design front and center, with recycled insulation that cuts back on the need for both air-conditioning and heating, windows that allow cross-ventilation, and solar panels that provide enough electricity and heat for the whole building.

The land, and other local growers, provide much of the organic produce that guests are offered for breakfast and at the communal table. There is also a 200-year-old stone oven that's perfect for roasting locally-raised meats and fresh fish.

Read an interview with designer Andrew Trotter in our magazine here.

Experience

As an added extra, ask about booking a day trip on your hosts' Riva 51” Turbo Rosso, Margherita Moroseta II—a restored classic Italian motorboat from the 1990s. At 15 meters long, it can easily accommodate eight guests for swimming, sunbathing or just taking in the views, far away from the crowds. It leaves from Gallipoli in the morning, traveling along the west coast of Puglia for the afternoon. While on board, you'll dine on local produce, focaccia and chilled wine. If you'd like to linger on board for longer, book a two-day trip. The boat has two double cabins and two bathrooms.

Around

The masseria is located in the heart of Puglia, only 3km from the impossibly pretty white town of Ostuni and within minutes of several several beaches, such as Torre Guacetto. The historic towns of Cisternino, with its dizzying maze of streets, the UNESCO-designated Alberobello with its darling trulli, the charming circular village of Locorotondo and Baroque Martina Franco are all easy daytrips. Alluring Lecce and the well-heeled port town of Polignano al Mare are a bit further afield, easily accessible via a drive through the picturesque Itrian countryside. The owners can help with restaurant bookings, visits to local workshops, and much more.