Located on the heel of Italy’s boot, Puglia is renowned for its UNESCO-listed trulli of Alberobello and being home to the longest stretch of the Italian coastline.
The best times to visit this part of Italy are June and September. Visiting in these months allows you to enjoy the warm weather and avoid the peak tourist seasons. June offers warm sea temperatures and summer festivities, while September is the grape harvest season so it is a great choice for wine lovers to visit vineyards and taste local wine.
Hidden in the hills you will find Villa Colucci, a three-year restoration project of a historic property, led by a group of Danish creatives.
The villa was originally built in the 1800s by the wealthy Colucci family and in 2022 it was bought by two Danish couples who have transformed and restored the space, bridging the gap between the historic site and modern design while preserving the integrity of the building. Their work honours the original designs of engineer Angelo Messeni, who was initially commissioned to build the property.
The 478-square-metre palazzo comprises 11 bedrooms and bathrooms, set within 20,000 square metres of woodland that encases the property in Puglia’s undulating terrain of Selva di Fasano.
The restoration of the property was led by Mette and Rolf Hay and Barbara “Bibi” Husted Werner with her husband Martin who commissioned the architect Francesco Mastrorosa to revive the potential of the palazzo.
Many of the original features were restored, such as the patterned cement tiles, high vaulted ceilings, and the grand marble staircase. Much of the renovation took inspiration from what already existed, such as the limewash treatment given to the walls to give an appearance that mirrors aged European architecture.
The creative restoration was led by Mette and Rolf Hay and Barbara “Bibi” Husted Werner with her husband Martin. Rolf Hay summarised the joint design choices of the property, “It’s simply about the love of objects and art, it doesn’t need to match”. (Financial Times)
Mette and Rolf Hay are notably the founders of HAY, famed for their redefinition of Scandinavian design with democratic design principles that makes high-quality design available to a wide audience.
Their design choices have notably underpinned the design of Villa Colucci, with many of the pieces that fill the villa coming from their own collections, there is an obvious trail of HAY products throughout the property, complemented by heritage brands and pieces from local artisans, adding a layer of Danish hygge to the Italian setting.
Beyond the modern design choices, they have also incorporated modern technology to make this home sustainable, from installing solar panels to building a self-sufficient water supply.
You can experience the serenity of Puglia yourself, as there are 10 unique bedrooms available to book for a stay at Villa Colucci. The Italian experience doesn’t stop at the property itself, the location is a wonderful spot for experiencing local traditions, with family-run trattorias and local markets nearby, you can fully embrace the history of the area - with a modern design twist.
Images: Villa Colucci
