Frangimare La Segreta

Aeolian Atelier: A Curated Art Collection Dresses up a Village Home

This eclectic island villa’s contemporary Milanese art collection comes as a surprise given its off-the-beaten path location in a small village on a volcanic island far out in the Tyrrhenian Sea. In a place better known for its capers and sweet wine, and accessible only by boat or helicopter, the curated art selection adds a touch of sophistication and a splash of color to the otherwise easygoing, barefoot living style of this villa for rent in Italy.

Sun, sea, art and design converge at this village home on the island of Salina. The cheery villa’s surprising art collection is as breathtaking as its huge infinity pool, and both are great reflections of the property’s high-spirited style.

The colorful home’s whitewashed, red-trimmed exterior fits in harmoniously alongside its village neighbors, and its arcaded openings and upper level terrace offer superb sea views out to the islands of Panarea and Stromboli. Bougainvillea and wispy maritime pines occupy the Mediterranean garden, and the pool and its umbrella-shaded chaise loungers are framed by citrus shrubs, flower beds, and an inset of green lawn creating a comfortable oasis.

Inside, attention to detail greets you in every room. The villa artfully combines Sicilian antiques with funky fabrics and handpainted modern tiling. Vintage chandeliers and sconces crown modern furnishings, and the original works of contemporary artists add an inviting, art opening ambiance to the house, created in collaboration with the Milanese gallery Fabbrica Eos.

While the Mediterranean garden and spacious, panoramic poolscape are the villa’s undeniable draws outdoors, the home’s spirited interior offers myriad spaces that vie for attention. Two levels house three private suites, each with two bedrooms and bathrooms, and all brightly outfitted and unique. Aria offers a panoply of tiles and textures. Acqua is a creative take on the tropics with a mid-century modern flair. And Terra features a color-bloc series of rooms where classic décor and contemporary art meld beautifully.

What sets the home apart is its unique collaboration with a Milan-based art gallery, Fabbrica Eos, a venue dedicated to promoting youthful artists, welcoming experimentation, and breaking the boundaries of a particular style or medium. The villa showcases 16 works by eight contemporary artists, revealing unexplored worlds, vibrant color palettes, and intense emotion. Read more about this artistic enclave in our Stories section here.

To explore its sister property, click here.

AROUND

This villa for rent in Italy is located in the heart of Malfa, a small, sloping village of modest, whitewashed and colorfully bordered homes on the island of Salina, part of the Lipari archipelago, set about 50 miles north of the Sicilian coast. Reachable via hydrofoil, Malfa features a maze of narrow streets and charming small squares. The village is surrounded by lush greenery and offers multiple inlets and beaches for swimming—Scario is a favorite—and a handful of high-dollar hotels with dramatic seafront terraces. Seafood markets and cafes offer Sicilian specialties, and the town is a great base for exploring the island on foot via mountain trails, or car.

A volcanic island, Salina is the sole Aeolian isle with an inland fresh water source, making it the greenest island of the archipelago, with two inland peaks. The island’s 10 square miles are crisscrossed by olive and citrus groves, vineyards, and caper farms, and its villages are sleepy, picturesque outposts with translucent bays and intimate swimming coves. Salina’s charmed, slow pace and relaxed lifestyle was celebrated in the award-wining film Il Postino.

LOCATION

Malfa, Salina, Aeolian Islands, Italy. Nearest airports: Catania Fontanarossa, Palermo, Napoli

BEST TIME TO VISIT: April to October