BellaDonna

Inside

BellaDonna is a sanctuary of light and air. The open-plan living area is dominated by walls of fully extendable sliding glass doors blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living, while at the same time rendering the property transparent from certain angles outside and offering uninterrupted views from olive and almond grove to the sea.

The design is at once refined and contemporary, with concrete floors, feature walls in buttery local stone, huge mirrors, warm-hued handmade glazed tiles, and carefully chosen high level lighting. These harmonious features extend throughout the property, creating a pleasing homogeneity of style.

The living area is furnished with custom-designed sofas, Paola Lenti chaise lounge and an Eames armchair, which gather convivially around a bespoke coffee table. Large monstera plants bring green vivacity from outside and a suspended iconic design fireplace (decorative only) adds to the inimitable sense of style.

The large, central living space flows effortlessly into the dining and kitchen areas, emphasizing the house's open, airy feel. The kitchen is a chef’s dream, boasting sleek cabinetry, high-end appliances and a large island that serves as the focal point for culinary creativity. It extends outside enriched with an additional induction hob and sink, electric bbq and wine cooler to serve the sheltered al fresco dining area with seamless ease. Two handmade large tables, the inside one is topped with amaranth-colored oxides applied on lava stone while the outside one under the portico is in natural lava stone.

The three double bedrooms at BellaDonna have been conceived as private retreats, where guests can relax in their own luxurious space. One is accessed from near the kitchen while two of them are accessed independently from the outside terrace. Like the communal areas, the bedrooms feature clean lines, neutral color palettes, and natural materials. Sliding glass doors frame scenic views and open out onto private sections of terrace, each with an al fresco shower in lava stone that provide a spa-like atmosphere. Their beautifully finished en-suite shower rooms with hand-glazed terracotta tiles have skylights that create atmospheric, shape-shifting shadow patterns as the sun moves across the Sicilian firmament. All the bedrooms have a mini fridge, a Nespresso coffee maker, flat screen TV, Bluetooth speakers, ceiling fans and air conditioning.

Outside

BellaDonna’s restful al fresco areas have been designed and furnished with the same level of detail and thoughtfulness as the interiors. External walls of creamy pietra di Noto (a local stone) root the building in its terroir and soften the clean, contemporary lines of the architecture, merging seamlessly with the surrounding landscape planted with olive and almond trees which whisper gently in the sea breeze; the terraces mix shade-giving carob trees, vibrantly colored bougainvillea and other Mediterranean flora.

Via walls of sliding doors, the internal spaces flow outside with the minimum of fuss. To the front is a secluded, well-shaded al fresco dining area that’s served by its own outdoor kitchen, an extension of the one inside. Next to this, gazing out through the trees to the sea, is a gorgeous sitting area with Paola Lenti outdoor furniture.

The terraces wrap around both sides of the house, pausing here and there to incorporate private areas (and al fresco showers) for each of the bedrooms, before reuniting in enchanting fashion at the glorious pool area.

A sleek infinity pool, extending for 20m, sits in pride of place and stretches out toward the horizon, creating a visual connection with the olive groves and the rolling almond hills beyond. Flanking it is a variety of lounge areas and, on one side, a bioclimatic pergola and a heated mini pool with hydromassage set on a teak terrace. Once installed here, it is highly unlikely that you'll wish to leave your home from home to explore.

BellaDonna features a photovoltaic system that produces clean energy on-site. With this technology, the house reduces its reliance on the electrical grid.

Due to the nature of the property, which includes custom and design furniture both indoors and outdoors as well as some elevated terraces, children are accepted from the age of 10. However, they must always be supervised by adults.

The estate surrounding BellaDonna is home to another of our villas, TerraMia, which is located around 120m away. Owned by the same family, the villas can be accessed on foot via a path in the grounds but each enjoys total privacy. If you're travelling in a large group or with another family, why not take both of them.