The restoration of a medieval tower in a magical Chianti village
A three-level holiday home that showcases the original materials and the views over the landscape, combining bespoke furnishings with light-touch interventions.
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A three-level medieval tower in a jewel of a Chianti village, restored by 23bassi as a holiday home that thrives on the blend of old and contemporary. Terracotta tiles, chestnut beams and exposed stone tell the story of the structure, while a closable iron ghost kitchen, a table suspended from the ceiling on tie-rods and a foldaway wall on the first floor introduce today’s design language. The attic becomes a mini suite with mullioned windows over the Chianti hills. The Mahjong sofa by Roche Bobois and the lights by Davide Groppi (Sampei, Ovo, Infinito) add the splash of colour.
Restoration. The project involved restoring a three-level medieval tower in a jewel of a Chianti village. The structure had stability problems in the floor slabs and roof, along with deteriorated plasterwork and finishes. All the primary structures were preserved except one beam, which was replaced. In the roof, the entire layer of terracotta tiles was kept, as was much of the chestnut planking on the first floor. On the second floor, the boards were replaced with reclaimed antique planks to ensure continuity with the primary structure.
When stripping the plaster completely across all three levels, we chose to leave some areas of stone exposed where the masonry texture was particularly striking.
The project. The layout placed a living area on the ground floor, with a small supporting ghost kitchen. The master bedroom naturally had to go on the top floor — the most beautiful space, thanks to the roof and the enchanting view of the Chianti hills through the two mullioned windows. The attic is laid out as a mini suite: a walk-in closet visually closes off the sleeping area, and in the remaining space we created a small bathroom with a roof skylight. The intermediate floor was meant to be flexible — an extra living room when the house is lived in by two, or a guest room that can be closed off when needed.
Bespoke furnishings. The structural furnishings were all made by Rabatto to our design. The kitchen is fully closable, with iron lids. The dining table, as light as possible, is made of iron and hangs from the ceiling on tie-rods. On the first floor, the wall dividing the staircase from the living space folds away completely, so a true room can be created when needed. The attic walk-in closet is built entirely as furniture and lined inside with a wallpaper designed by Contexture.
Colour and light. The Roche Bobois Mahjong sofa adds a note of colour that stands out against the resin floor. The blue Campeggi sofa beds are also designed to contrast with the casing. Antique elements include the decorative door closing the niche on the first floor and the 17th-century walnut bathroom door.
The bedroom lights are custom Dress-Me fittings by Quicklighting. The living area features lights by Davide Groppi, such as the Sampei beside the sofa and the Ovo set into the kitchen, while the Infinito lights the first-floor ceiling.
