Each of us has a dream place, real or imaginary. What Francesco and Lella Deflorio take us to discover in the countryside between Ostuni and the sea, surrounded by centuries-old olive trees and an atmosphere that is good for the soul, is a dream come true.
Tenuta Parco Paolino in Ostuni
It took almost six years after the purchase of the land on which, hidden among the twisted trunks of olive trees that are magnificent natural sculptures, there was a small lamia, a rural construction typical of this territory.
Nowadays Tenuta Parco Paolino extends here, an oasis of peace and pure air divided into areas in such a way as to ensure everyone privacy and relaxation. The small village that Francesco together with his wife Lella wanted to create is not just a loophole from everyday stress, but a source of continuous inspiration.
Especially for Francesco, telling how the idea of giving life to this structure open to guests was born, he has revealed a lot about his past and his present. Always in love with everything that revolves around architecture and design, his existential journey led him away from this goal. In fact, he is a graduate in Economics and Commerce and has been involved in family landholding since childhood. But the passion continued to hatch in him and slowly found himself designing architectural solutions and furniture for friends.
So it is time to create something personal and he did it here in Ostuni for the Tenuta Parco Paolino: from the initial project to the smallest furnishings present in elegant and refined, but simple because – he tells us – “let’s not forget that we are in the country side”. And that speak of Puglia, but not shamelessly.
The low buildings, white and squared with large windows, recall in a more modern sense the old local houses and are surrounded by greenery and silence.
The two largest lamias each have their own swimming pool with solarium and garden among the olive trees. Inside they are pieces of modernism discovered with patience over the years by Francesco, family furniture repainted in dusty colors that do not impact on real works of art: the views of trees and greenery around the houses, framed by large glass walls shielded by fixtures sliding.
The smallest lamias host a couple of guests in a warm and protective shell in a picked and hospitable way. In our room, next to the large fireplace in an alcove there is everything needed to prepare a good coffee, while in the center stands a large antique bed which is flanked by an iron wardrobe.
The same material is present in the bathroom, as well as in more than one creation of the landlord who very much loves this ductile and concrete element that transforms into linear furniture with a strong character. The outdoor shower is very comfortable and the outdoor sitting area under the pergola is very welcoming.
In the neighboring lamia, the spaces are larger: the living room has a large wall with a kitchen, two bedrooms and three bathrooms, one for each private room and one for guests. Pleasant and airy outdoor spaces under the porch and around the pool.
A third lamia is part of the village, the largest of all, which can accommodate three couples. The bright living room with large glazed surfaces overlooking the pool and the olive trees and communicates with the kitchen also open on the outdoor patio.
Three bedrooms, four bathrooms and a clever mix of antique and modern that characterizes the rooms: vintage chairs with caramel colors, teardrop chandeliers, golden appliques and the strong personality of the suspended fireplace.
But here everything is in progress. The great iron table designed by Francesco has fallen in love with a friend and will soon start to furnish a villa by the sea, the modernist sideboard will give way to a colored furniture in Mondrian style, the Deco appliques will be replaced by modern lamps in thick glass folded like origami.
Anyone who thinks that some piece of furniture can feel good at home can buy it and take it away! Therefore the rooms of the lamie of the Tenuta Parco Paolino will always be different according to the inspiration and the continuous research of the owners.
Who will never go away are the little lucky geckos and arranged a little ‘everywhere, from the outside floors to those inside and even on the bottom of the pool, drawn and engraved in concrete but that seem so real as to give the impression of flicker away as soon as you approach.
Around that special light that is only here and that is even more dense after a short thunderstorm that leaves suspended in the sky a double wonderful rainbow.
And makes the small drops stuck in the leaves of the olive trees shine, among which, special companion of our walks, it was Otto who also benefited from so much clean air away from traffic and city chaos.
Tenuta Parco Paolino
Località Monticelli – Ostuni (Brindisi)
Info: +39 335 8005515 – lalella58@gmail.com
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