A Restored Farmhouse Is Now A Gem In The Tuscan Landscape

Once sleepy looking and not entirely fit for purpose, the design team has transformed this grand farmhouse (with an Annex) to echo the magic of the region.

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With a brand new pool, additional bedroom and plenty more quirks to discover, now the entire space (indoors and out) is ripe for hosting and enjoying the good days with loved ones. From cleverly reusing cotto tile, to turning a former (and very crumbly) stable into a TV room, our Signature home reigns victorious with Tuscan flair and character. Extraordinarily enhanced in true August style, we spoke with the design team to unveil its heritage story. 

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A Vintage Farmhouse Pink That Defines A Rolling Landscape

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‍What inspired the exterior colour of the home? 

“We were on site, doing the installation of two other homes: Tuscany Signature Collection 3 and 4 in February of this year (2024). As we were walking and having a look at the antique shops in Montecatini, the village where this house lives, we noticed a hotel with the same colour shutters. And that was it, we just knew that we wanted to do that on the outdoor façade,” shares Head of August Design, Karolina Wierzbicka.

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“This home is one of a kind. Typically in this area you’ll find more warm pinks and yellows, but they won’t be as strong and striking. It’s a lovely way to bring some of Montecatini’s personality into the home.”

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Entertainment With An Atmospheric View

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It has exceptional views and ample garden space, this home is clearly primed for hosting friends, families and pet friends. What else is remarkable about the outdoor space?

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“There was no pool before so that was an exciting, if not challenging part of the renovation. It’s 10 metres by 5 and we used Tuscan cotto floor tiles, repurposed from the bedroom upstairs and from the main lounge.”

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“So we repurposed the existing terracotta floor tiles for the new outdoor area and the look is modern but rustic. It matches really well with the existing tiles that we have in the other outdoor spaces too.”

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“We have an al fresco lounge area complete with a lovely outdoor dining table and a barbecue. We wanted guests to simply and blissfully enjoy the view during summer. There are parasols and typical plants of the region all around, our gardener did an amazing job with the landscaping. The open veranda that has a large dining table and subtle lighting will be beautiful come evening especially.”

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Redefined Living Spaces

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On entering the home, you are greeted with a modern interior style that feels warm and inviting. The main living room is fresh and sophisticatedly styled, blending neutral colours with natural elements and delicate pops of Tuscan colour. The design team kept the existing ceiling, beams and the cotto floor with the redesign.

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“There was an existing door but it was closed from the first living room side so we opened the door here and we created access. We removed everything, laid new tiles and completely converted the space, turning the old cattle trough itself into a shelf.” By reinforcing the beams and adding sunny personality through paint, this now secondary living room is the ultimate spot to sink into after a day spent cycling around Buggiano or relaxing by the pool.

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A Yolk Yellow And Marble Kitchen Statement

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How did you elevate the kitchen?

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“The kitchen had great bones, with stone floors and brick surrounding the cabinets, but it was ready for a facelift. We demolished the existing cabinet doors, sink, tiles and splashback. Then we use Carrara marble both for the countertop and the splashback. Then instead for the island we used a solid wood worktop that is four centimetres thick, so it's really nice and these two are the main materials in the kitchen and the suppliers we use for the Carrara are not far away actually.”

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In terms of brighter colours, egg yolk yellow brings a sunny element to the cooking space. “We played with two colours in terms of cabinets. The yellow ones for the lower cabinets and the built-in fridge and pantry on the opposite side. Then we used the white for the upper cabinets and the island. It’s a lovely duo colour scheme.”

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Warm, terracotta colours continue to envelope the dining room space that overlooks the terrace. Wooden, imposing furniture is softened with soft woven elements and bright, contemporary prints on the wall, for an element of fun.

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‍Pattern And More Colour Play With Tile

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Are there any modern tile styles and patterns we chose for this home, and why?

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“We played a lot with checker formats and patterns in the bathrooms especially. In each bathroom we use different tile colours. The above bathroom has red tile and is a nice space with a bigger vanity because this one is a family bathroom, so it's shared between two bedrooms. The other two have more storage space.”

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“Then for instance in the master bathroom upstairs we use a black and white checker. Then in another bathroom we played with a slightly different colour. When there is an en suite, we always connect the bedroom colour with the bathroom tiles for design continuity.”

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Moving Upstairs To The Bedrooms

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There are four lovely double bedrooms, all on the first floor of the farmhouse. It initially was listed with just three bedrooms, how did we access the other?

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“Firstly, what we have done in the main bedroom is demolish the existing wall partition to make the bathroom bigger, so we added a new bathtub and basically removed everything to redo it completely with the new tiles and fittings. This one has a wardrobe that I sourced locally too.”

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“Then we had to create a new partition to close and carve out access to the last bedroom that wasn't accessible at the beginning. We kept a glass aperture in this room so that you have a little bit of light even in the corridor. This space is a favourite, it has a sloped pitch ceiling, at four metres high and it gets lovely lighting which sets off its terracotta decor perfectly.”

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The bedrooms all share a similar design thread but have clear different colour schemes and headboards, can you tell us about this?

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“We always try to have different colours per bedroom because it's sweet when you're going with your family for everyone to pick their favourite room that way. I want to stay in the green room or I want to stay in the yellow one, so it's a small but impactful touch. And we always try to connect paintings and the colours with the ensuite bathrooms as well.”

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Second to the colour schemes, the headboards are unique in each bedroom too. “We have a zip and link bed in one of the rooms which is great for families. There are two single beds with a topper so you can use the bedroom as a double bedroom or instead you can split the bed and use the two single beds.This has a longer headboard with room for guest tables, so it’s great for hosting.”

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The Location and The Lifestyle

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From sitting by the pool with a good read to venturing out to find one of Buggiano’s riveting bike trails, this Tuscan farmhouse is perfectly positioned for active family holidays and more gentler-paced trips too. 

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“Beyond exceptional food and all that comes with living in Italy, the entire region of Buggiano is perfect for cycling and hiking,” shares August co-founder Nico Watzenig. “There are lots of routes to choose from, many of which run close to this home and that pass through the Tuscan hills in the area. It is spectacular, and the design team have done a remarkable job of reinventing this home.”

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Standing tall among beautiful rolling hills, this private retreat is still just a short 10 minute drive to picturesque Montecatini where you can mingle with neighbours and happily sink into your new Tuscan life. With Pisa and Florence under an hour away, whether you’ll spend the whole of next summer exploring the region or stop here between trips across another August Collection, it’s not too shabby a setting if we do say so ourselves…

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Ready to embrace the Italian lifestyle?  Start a conversation with our expert Advisory Team and take one step closer to your August journey today. 

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