Villa Adriatica was the biggest and final renovation we did.
The impressive house in the historic centre of Villalfonsina took us a long time to finish even though we held firm to our belief that it was a restoration and we didn't want to change the layout or history of the house but merely enhance it.
The house stands on Corso Adriatico, hence the name we chose. It was originally a two floored building, but we opened up the roof area to create a stunning rooftop solarium and Al Fresco dining area,equipped with a Weber barbecue.
We fell in love with the original art déco floor tiles. Some of which were able to be saved and can be seen relaid on the upstairs landing. The rest of the original tiles we were able to source, purchase, and we personally had to clean, chipping off all the old lime mortor.The craftsmen painstakingly laid them on the floors.
The house has 3 bedrooms, and the Master has original hand-made bricks just as we found it on the floor, probably made in the now extinct brick factory of nearby Casalbordino. It has an iron bed, an iron topped bath, and is furnished with original period pieces. The vaulted ceiling is enhanced with original crystal chandeliers. Also on the first floor is an equally stunning bedroom equipped with an original déco iron painted bed, and the ceiling has been restored to show the original motifs.
Next door is the blue bedroom, laid out with two single beds and a wall cupboard.
All bedding is antique linen in summer and 100% cotton duvet covers in winter. We provide towels and extra linen as required. The small bathroom on the first floor is accessible for all bedrooms and has a shower, toilet, and bidet.
Downstairs has a hall leading to the living/ dining room, which has a table for 4 or can be opened to accommodate 6 persons. The TV is located in this room, and it has a small balcony looking out onto the main Corso. The house has wifi.A sofa bed could be utilised to accommodate another two people.All the internal doors and windows are original to the house, and we have to thank our carpenter, Silvio, who really brought them back to life.
The kitchen is rather special, beautiful marble tops on extensive cupboards. Despite the house having air-conditioned rooms, we also opened up the original fireplace to place an original déco wood burner.
It's lovely sitting at the 1960's formica table enjoying the wood burner as you eat.The kitchen is equipped with an induction hob, electric oven, dishwasher, microwave and washing machine.Washing can be dried on the rooftop terrace.On the ground floor is also a striking bathroom with shower, toilet and bidet.
The totally new part is the green wooden staircase we had commissioned to connect the first floor to the roof terrace we created, now opened up you can see the top of the vaulted ceilings on the two double bedrooms.
A two minute walk takes you to La Cantina garden which is an olive grove to relax and dine in, this is shared with our other home La Cantina, both sets of guests have keys to access it.
Villa Adriatica boasts sea views from its roof terrace, olive groves, vineyards from another perspective, and also a wonderful view of la Majella mountain, in the winter months snow topped.
There is a free car park 2 minutes away towards La Cantina, but also behind Villa Adriatica on a parallel road are free parking spaces.The internal Adriatic road leads you directly to the beaches of Casalbordino in ten minutes.
We hope you enjoy that we have restored this special house, respecting its history and beauty.