Built in the 17th century, Villa al Boschiglia is set in beautiful northwest Tuscany, in the ancient parish of Vorno near the magnificent medieval town of Lucca. Displaying the easy elegant lifestyle of the period, the noble, or main, floor is raised from the country floor, and entered through a portal atop the outside double flight stairway, with a symmetrical distribution of the other rooms around the central salon. There is also interior access to the country, or ground, floor where guests can enjoy delightful dinners in front of a large fireplace. Guests are embraced by the gentle colors and sharp fragrances of the panoramic countryside. Upon the opening of the private gate, the guest’s first sight is an alley of ‘tall and pure’ cypresses. The wide park of the villa with lime-trees, oaks, olives, magnolias, large bushes of aromatic plants, and roses is the ideal background in which to begin one’s visit.
The Tuscan landscape design style blends charm and Old World beauty with modern flair and elegance. This sophisticated, yet simple, theme for outdoor living space has made Tuscan landscape design quite popular, especially in affluent communities. The beauty, as well as the practicality, of a Tuscan garden complements today’s lifestyles and homes.
The plants, trees, and other flora that is incorporated into a landscape design are really the defining elements of any garden theme.Tuscan garden plants are very distinct and extremely important if you are planning a Tuscan style outdoor area.Tuscany is a central coastal region of Italy, known for its breathtaking scenery and relaxed, farming culture with an emphasis on vineyards.
Shade Relief and Privacy with Tuscan Trees and Shrubs
Trees and shrubs are a vital part of any relaxing outdoor design. Most of the trees native to Tuscany are evergreens, giving your home a lush, Mediterranean appearance year round. The following trees and shrubs will compliment any Tuscan landscape design…
The artistic curves and twists of Live Oak branches will provide wonderful shade and add character to your Tuscan garden.
Your Tuscan landscape design will not be complete without the symbolic Italian Cypress tree.
These grand evergreens make wonderful privacy barriers around your yard and add to the magnificence of your home.
Olive trees are also signature plants of Tuscany that should be a part of your design.
Showcase a variety of citrus trees, berry plants, and other Tuscany garden plants around your patio and terrace, using large terra cotta planters for a rustic Tuscan flair.
Tuscan shrubsmake wonderful hedges and look terrific along the walkways in your garden.
Boxwoods, bay trees, the yew tree, and other plants of Tuscany that are easily pruned make terrific topiaries for a contemporary touch to your garden design.
Palm trees can be incorporated into your Tuscan garden.RealPalmTrees.com carries a wide range of palms including many that can withstand the cooler temperatures of the Mediterranean nights in winter. They deliver to 48 States in the USA including worldwide and will arrange freight shipping for large specimens.
Canary Island Date Palms, European Fan Palms, Pindo Palms, Windmill Palms, California Fan Palms and Sago Palms are just some of the many that do well in a Mediterranean climate.
Smaller specimens are great in urns for both inside and out or under the canopies of larger trees. Large palms placed in rows produces a bold statement and can help lead the eye to an accent point. Palms are also great used near swimming pools to create a private oasis.
Leslie Halloran
Please check out my website at: www.lihdesigns.net
“A frog in the well does not know the sea.” – Japanese Proverb
A few minutes from Pinocchio Park in Collodi, immersed in the countryside of Lucchesia, you will find the magnificent Nobility Villas that were the summer residences of the Nobles and also representative places.
Proceeding from Collodi towards Lucca, the first you will encounter is Villa Torrigiani, a luminous example of Baroque architecture, and it’s possible to visit the inside which is finely furnished and has an ample park.
Then you come across Villa Mansi which was the residence of a very important family of Lucca, ascent to the honours in the field of silk commerce. The building, built in 1500, was reconstructed the following century then the Mansi entrusted the architect Filippo Juvarra to transform the garden which was divided as seen today, into four side by side sections.
Villa Oliva and Villa Grabau are both found in San Pancrazio. Villa Oliva, was constructed by the Buonvisi family in 1500, in the course of the centuries it has changed owners many times, and once a Consistory to the presence of Pope Alessandro VII, stayed there. Today the residence has been restored and about 5 hectares of park that surround it, is characterised by the presence of really appreciable rare essences, waterfalls and fountains.
Not far away is Villa Grabau, again from 1500, born on a ravine of an ancient medieval village, thanks to the work of the Diodat family. After many transformations, the actual aspect can be attributed to a German banker married to Carolina Grabau. Immersed is a spectacular Park, characterised by an English garden, an Italian garden and the lovely Teatro di Verzura, where today summer performances take place.
The Villa Reale di Marlia was once residence in 1805 to the sister of Bonaparte. In the following centuries to the Grand Duke of Tuscany and then the King of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II, who gave it to Prince Carlo. Fallen from grace for many contracted debts from the nephew of Carlo, in 1918 started the indiscriminating sale of furniture, furnishings and the Villa. So the family of Conti Pecci-Blunt entered on the scene, who bought the property saving the park from disaster, restructuring and conserving it with passion and even today maintaining the splendour intact like the example of the Viale delle Camelie or the marvellous Teatro di Verdura.
You will find Villa Bernardini in Vicopelago. The construction was finished in 1615, and since then has conserved unchanged and enriched the furnishings and park of the ancient property.
Leslie Halloran Please check out my website at: www.lihdesigns.net
“A frog in the well does not know the sea.” – Japanese Proverb
From Lucca to Mammoli
The are that extends along the right bank of the river Serchio from the bridge at Monte San Quirico, where the water courses down from the narrow mountain sides, is studded with villages such as Santo Stefano di Moriano, San Michele di Moriano and San Quirico di Moriano; higher up, there is Aquilea, Gugliano, Mastiano, Arsina and San Concordio di Moriano. All of them immersed in the peaceful landscape of vineyards, olive groves and woodland of the valleys and the steeper north facing slopes.
On the left side of the road leaving from Lucca there are the beautiful entrances to villa Barsanti, villa Ciurlo and villa Boccella, and the avenues and parks of other villas which can be seen from higher up the road.
The flat areas between the foot of the hills and the river Serchio, on the other hand, are geometrically patterned by extensive areas of fruit trees.
The first village, indicated by a votive cross at the turnoff for the curch, is San Quirico di Moriano, whose ancient origins are documented in a 9th century parchment that mentions the locality of Aniciano or Nicciano and the church of Saints Quirico e Giulitta.
Yes, the financial world is still wobbly, but maybe now is not such a silly time to be thinking about buying property in Italy, precisely in Lucca aerea (Tuscany). We spoke to estate agent Roy Santi, who for over a decade has been selling property throughout the area.
So, is this a good time to buy?
Obviously a lot depends on where you have access to money and of course exchange rates. But yes, there are definitely bargains to be found. For example, from sellers who bought several years ago and are now moving on. There will always be people who need to sell and there are always people who have the money to take advantage.
So what should I be asking myself?
In that sense, it’s no different from buying a house anywhere else. Town, country, seaside, rural seclusion or would you like to be less dependent on a car? What about access to airports, train stations and motorways? Olive grove or terrace? Are you up for a restoration, or perhaps something already restored is more your style? You should have a clear idea as to your brief but also be prepared to compromise. Once you are clear about you wants and dislikes anly then can an agent help realise your abjectives and guide you through a sea of bureaucracy, It maust be said that people instinctively know when a property is right for them.
But an agent will be acting for the seller?
No, in Italy the agent is essentially a broker tasked with bringing the buyer and seller together in a mutually satisfactory deal and their fee is shared between the parties. The only time an agent can be biased is when a buyer invites him to act on his or her behalf in approaching a second agent.
So how do I find a good agent?
Agents must be registred on the professional register held at the local Chamber of Commerce so check there. Do they have an office? While obviously a lot can now be done by internet, a physical base suggests they are not a “fly by night” business and have a local reputation to protect. Ask around, a recommendation is often positive. It helps to have an agent who speaks English, as with many foreign buyers and sellers in Tuscany, English is now often the lingua franca in transactions. But remember if a person does not understand Italian, the deeds can be written in a two language format, failing which a special power of attorney can be given to a bilingual person.
So what does an agent do?
The agent’s role is primarily to understand the needs of a client and assist them in realising their objectives. Once we have found the right property it’s my job to get both the buyer and vendor to the altar! The initial contract between the buyer and the vendor, the “compromesso”, is like an engagement, it outlines the deal. And both parties have to be aware of the financial penalties for pulling out later. Then obviously a time frame is agreed to, by which time the deal must be completed. The seller is obliged to produce evidence of sound title, e.g. deeds, building permits, and the buyer may have to arrange financing and perhaps have a geometra or engineer inspect to property, particulary if it is an older house. When it comes to the “rogito” or final contract, this is where the deal is formally completed, in front of a “notaio” who although paid for by the buyer. is really like the parish priest officiating at the ceremony, making sure everything complies with the rules, collecting the taxes for the State, and then registering the transfer of ownership.
And how much does an agent cost?
A commission of 3% of the selling price is normal, although negotiable on high value properties. The agents are paid at the “compromesso” stage but tend to be present until the final signing and sometimes beyond. Of course it’s not unheard of for people to find their own property to buy, but in these cases I would strongly suggest that they find an agent to step in as their technicial assistant.
So just what should I be budgeting for?
Your agent should be able to advise, but essentially as a buyer you should allow for:
1) the price
2) tax which isa a one off payment, and varies from case to case. It is a percentage of the “valore catastale” and depends on whether it is a primary residence or second home
3) the “notaio’s” fees for countersigning the deal
4) “bolli” one off stamp duty
5) techinical reports from a “geometra” or engineer
6) your share of the agent’s commission.
Built in the 17th century, Villa al Boschiglia is set in beautiful northwest Tuscany, in the ancient parish of Vorno near the magnificent medieval town of Lucca. Displaying the easy elegant lifestyle of the period, the noble, or main, floor is raised from the country floor, and entered through a portal atop the outside double flight stairway, with a symmetrical distribution of the other rooms around the central salon. There is also interior access to the country, or ground, floor where guests can enjoy delightful dinners in front of a large fireplace.
Guests are embraced by the gentle colors and sharp fragrances of the panoramic countryside. Upon the opening of the private gate, the guest’s first sight is an alley of ‘tall and pure’ cypresses. The wide park of the villa with lime-trees, oaks, olives, magnolias, large bushes of aromatic plants, and roses is the ideal background in which to begin one’s visit.
