Villa Lorans

• Bedroom 1: double bed (160x200cm), sitting area, en-suite shower room
• Bedroom 2: double bed (170x200cm), sitting area, en-suite shower room
• Bedroom 3: double bed (180x200cm), en-suite shower room
• Bedroom 4: double-twin beds (180/90x190cm), en-suite bathroom with tub and separate shower
• Bedroom 5: double-twin beds (180/90x200cm), adjacent shower room
• Bedroom 6: double-twin beds (180/90x200cm), adjacent shower room

Please note that bedrooms 5 and 6, which are on the ground floor, are only accessible externally from the surrounding terraces

NB: A double-twin bedroom has two single beds that can either be joined together to create a double bed or left separate as two single beds.

Inside

a dimora storica (historic estate) and a member of ADSI, the Association of Historic Italian Homes, Villa Lorans is a fine example of an early 18th-century architectural style that combined practicality, gentility and refinement in equal measure.

Accommodation develops over two distinct levels: the lower floor was once given over to agricultural activities (sheltering animals and the storage of machinery and crops), while the upper floor - the piano nobile - provided opulent living quarters for the aristocratic owners of the estate. The architectural differences between the two floors provides a fascinating, living insight into the past.

A painstaking conservatory project carried out by local craftsmen and artisans has respectfully preserved the property’s original architectural and decorative features. The end-product, which subtly juxtaposes alluring modern design motifs and prestigious antique pieces, is a winning blend of venerable treasures, dashing contemporary flourishes, and 21st-century comforts.

The main entrance, accessed via a grand portico, leads into an impressive, welcoming hallway, off which most of the ground-floor accommodation flows. To the right is a snug, romantic sitting area with an L-shaped sofa, a glass-coffee table supported by sections of antique capitals, and a TV. Heading straight on under an arch is one of the main living areas, whose barrel-vaulted ceilings, fireplace, smooth floors, and wall niches have all been given a new life. Furnished with a modern modular sofa and illuminated by a sparkling contemporary Tom Dixon chandelier, this space typifies the overall design ethos of the ground floor.

Two openings to the side of the living area allows the space to flow into a vast hall measuring about 12m x 7m. Divided into two sections by a series of arches, it accommodates a convivial, atmospheric dining area to one side and a yoga and dance area (with mirrors and ballet barre) to the other. Five sets of curvaceous glass doors open out onto the surrounding terraces and bring in plenty of Puglian sunlight.

Both the living room and the dining area connect to an extremely well-equipped, fully-fitted contemporary design kitchen that will delight everyone, from professional chefs doing a cooking demonstration to keen amateurs rustling up a simple meal after a day at the beach. Its 5m-high stone ceilings preside over a long sweep of "black magic" marble countertops, an XXL gas stove and oven, sleek grey cabinetry, and a host of top-spec appliances.

Accommodation on the ground floor of Villa Lorans is completed by two spacious, independently accessed bedrooms, both bright double-twins with leaping vaulted ceilings. One has an impressive fireplace. A corridor between these two rooms provides access to a pair of shower rooms.

Back in the hallway, a staircase leads up to the piano nobile, which is home to the main sleeping quarters. The décor on this floor is ravishing, and includes original patterned floor tiles, lofty vaulted ceilings, and walls adorned with painstakingly conserved frescoes, some with simple geometric forms, others with dazzlingly ornate depictions of nature. With the exception of some Tom Dixon light fittings, the furnishings on this floor are mainly prestigious antique pieces, a choice that is perfectly in-keeping with the property’s age.

The hub of the piano nobile is a splendid sitting area with a couple of easy chairs and a large, gold, contemporary ceiling light. French doors to one end open out onto the terrace above the porticoed main entrance.

To one side of this central living area are two generously proportioned suites:

• a double-aspect double with an ornately decorated, antique wrought-iron bedstead, garden views, a balcony, a separate sitting area, and a generously proportioned en-suite shower room with frescoes depicting a garden of blossoming trees
• a double-aspect double with another antique wrought iron bedstead, access to a terrace overlooking the gardens, a sitting area, and an en-suite shower room

To the other side of the central hub, meanwhile, is the Sala Rosa, a gracious living room in pastel-pink tones that opens out onto a large terrace that runs along the whole side of the house.

The two remaining bedrooms are accessed from the Sala Rosa:

• a double-aspect double-twin with access to the large terrace, and a huge en-suite bathroom with self-standing tub, walk-in shower, and frescoes depicting vivacious peacocks
• a double-aspect double with a balcony, access to the large terrace, and an en-suite shower room

Outside

immersed in around 10 acres of landscaped gardens, pine woods and olive orchards, Villa Lorans offers guests an inimitable and multi-dimensional al fresco experience.

A 60m-long driveway arrives at the villa, whose handsome façade is reminiscent of early-Georgian architecture. Wide gravel paths meander around curved formal beds planted with fragrant lavender and other low-lying shrubs. To one side, surrounded by four geometric areas of lawn, is an aia, a square of well-worn chianche (stone flags), that was once used for threshing wheat. These chianche are also in evidence on the terraces surrounding the house, in the pool area, and in other parts of the gardens.

To one side of the house, accessed from the dining room and yoga and dance area, another swathe of manicured emerald lawn envelops a 70sqm saltwater pool, whose curvaceous forms evoke late-baroque aesthetics. Patiently carved in local stone, its sea green waters, reminiscent of the Adriatic, are irresistible.

At the boundary of this area, built into the stone walls next to the olive groves, is one of the property's two al fresco dining areas.

On the opposite side of the villa to the main entrance is a wonderfully sheltered expanse of terrace featuring a monolithic stone dining table under a large wrought-iron-and-cane pergola. Accessed directly from the kitchen, this convivial spot provides a worthy rival to the al fresco dining area near the pool.

Stone walls, so typical of the Puglian landscape, delimit all these areas, and an opening in one of them across the driveway from the house provides access to a sunken citrus garden, where a mighty, russet-coloured structure in the form of an arch provides a shady sitting area in which to soak up the bucolic atmosphere.

On the first floor, there are three terraces: the first sits atop the porticoed entrance to the ground floor and offers enchanting vistas over the gardens and grounds; the second, covering 50sqm and furnished with wrought-iron tables and chairs, runs along the entire side of the house is accessed from the Sala Rosa sitting room and two of the bedrooms; the third, accessed from one of the suites, is a secluded spot with more of those peaceful, pastoral views. The second suite and one of the two bedrooms accessed from the Sala Rossa have private balconies.

Where the gardens end, the property’s extensive pine woods and olive groves begin. As well as providing a cocoon of tranquil privacy, the grounds are a joy to explore and offer a real sense of life on a country estate.

One fundamental aspect of the restoration of Villa Lorans was to make the property as sustainable and as eco-friendly as possible.

Each space is individually air-conditioned and heated, and all electricity and hot water is generated by solar and photovoltaic panels on the roof.

The owners also added a water drainage network and modernised the property's existing artificial reservoirs so as to maximise the collection and storage of rainwater, which is used to irrigate the gardens.

Due to the nature of this property, we cannot accept bookings for groups with children between 18 months and 12 years of age

The number of steps that must be negotiated to get into and/or around this property might make it unsuitable for people with limited mobility.

The pool has a single depth of 1.5m.