Celebrating Life in Le Marche Italy

Based in one of the most unspoilt regions on the east coast of Italy, Appassionata has been buying, restoring and selling shares in historic homes to owners worldwide for a decade now. A family-run business, Appassionata’s team have a unique eye for detail and an impressive ability to create dream properties in stunning locations that capture the essence of authentic Italy. From townhouses to country estates, Appassionata’s portfolio of fractional ownership opportunities is impressive. Each property is unique, full of character and finished to the very highest standard; not only that, but each is also managed and maintained perfectly throughout the year.

By far the smartest and simplest way to buy a holiday home in Italy is to buy into an established fractional ownership concept. Appassionata is Italy’s number one fractional ownership company and offers international owners the opportunity to buy a share in a beautifully presented and perfectly managed Italian home-from-home.

With four impressive properties under their wing thus far, the Appassionata team are marking the business’s 10th anniversary with the unveiling of their fifth and most grand-scale property to date: Villa Veneto. A spectacular four-storey townhouse overlooking the Adriatic coast with roof terraces galore and outstanding sea-views, Villa Veneto is full of stunning architectural details and stunning design features.

An elegant and spacious Liberty style home, Villa Veneto is situated in the historic town of Lapedona with far-reaching views of both the sea and the mountains. Envy Italy caught up with Appassionata’s designer and co-owner Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs for a sneak preview of Villa Veneto before its official unveiling which will take place in June 2019.

With such a large blank canvass, how are you approaching the redesign and decoration of the villa? The house was in a reasonable condition and had retained many stunning architectural elements which was wonderful. Where possible we are saving original l features or repurposing them and bringing them back to life. The fantastic thing about Villa Veneto is the natural light and high ceilings, the sense of space is amazing, and often hard to find in old Italian houses. The newly opened-out living space flows beautifully now we have knocked down the wall between the kitchen and lounge. I really like the connection between cooking and socialising, for me, a holiday house is a place to spend time with family and friends. So, an open kitchen is essential.

Our local marble supplier took away the old stone kitchen work top and magically cut and polished it for the new staircase steps, he is a true artisan. Another feature is a grand marble fireplace which is the focal point in the lounge area, here two marble-topped gold-leaf console tables will sit either side with a large bespoke mirror hanging above. The cosy snug/TV lounge will consist of an elegant contemporary white leather sofa with comfy cushions and two sofa

“A family-run business, Appassionata’s team have a unique eye for detail and an impressive ability to create dream properties in stunning locations that capture the essence of authentic Italy.”

tables with vintage lamps either side. Wherever possible I am working with local craftspeople and I have also commissioned a local artist to paint a couple of large paintings. I have found some antique rugs will add a touch of colour and softness to the original parquet floors. Sourcing pieces for Villa Veneto has been a real pleasure and I have recently found a beautiful Liberty style dining set, bureau, sideboard and large mirror plus a dining table with an etched glass top, they are perfect for the house. I am presently searching for the ideal fabric to replace the heavy red damask currently sitting at the back of the glass bureau. The bureau even has all the original handmade keys which is incredible as these have normally been lost over the years.

One of the most striking spaces of Villa Veneto is its elegant entrance hall which has an incredibly high ceiling and staircase featuring an intricate wrought iron balustrade. This area was crying out for a fabulous chandelier, and, after weeks of searching I found the perfect one from Barovier & Toso, one of the oldest companies in Italy. The original ceramic tiles in the hall will be polished and the two velvet Liberty chairs I bought last month from the Ascoli Piceno Antique Market will also sit perfectly here.

The elegant stairway will be lit by four stylish Magazzini crystal and gold leaf wall lights. I have recently bought a beautiful gold console table with a rose quartz marble top, currently at our local marble supplier being polished, which will go on the first landing, leading out to the main terrace.

The kitchen which undoubtedly will form the heart of Villa Veneto is being hand built by our local carpenter and the work tops are OKITE. With the aim of using the very best in fittings and finishes we have chosen appliances from ILVE and the kitchen lighting will again feature Appassionata’s trademark Murano chandeliers.

Appassionata’s properties all celebrate la dolce vita. Villa Veneto will have its own cellar and games room constructed. This sounds like a great space to chill in. What will it be like? The cellar will contrast the timeless feel of the rest of the house and be quite modern with details such as floor lighting that will complement the rugged stone walls. I have recently purchased a large mirror to hang at the end of the cantina; this will give a nice reflection from the top of the cantina and create a sense of light. We are currently looking for bespoke wine racks for our 10 fractional owners. We are looking for something innovative as the historic cellar will need to house 10 individual wine collections. As you enter the cantina a tall metal chandelier will add an eclectic mix to the LED floor lighting. I also plan to put a couple of old oak wine barrels and some quirky pieces I have recently found on my travels around Le Marche. The games room will also include a full-size pool table, the perfect space for chilling out after a long day at the beach.

Each of Appassionata’s properties feature gorgeous fabrics and unique design details. What are your plans for furnishing Villa Veneto? All our properties have their own inherent character and Villa Veneto has a sense of understated glamour. To honour this we will be using floorlength, floaty cream, silk striped curtains. Lighting will be subtle with no centre lights in the bedrooms; I like to keep lighting soft and atmospheric. Instead, we will have antique lamps with handmade lampshades crafted by a local artisan. The bedrooms will have handmade Italian beds with gorgeous gold feet and satin headboards piped with velvet and will be dressed in sumptuous Italian linens.

Villa Veneto features several stunning roof terraces. What are your ideas for these? The main terrace will act as al fresco lounge and have a comfy outdoor sofa, dining table, chairs and BBQ. An automatic blind will provide shade when needed and the pergola outside the main bedroom will have a variety of climbing plants to add some dappled shade and perfume. The smaller terrace, overlooking the piazza, will have a bistro table and chairs, with tubs of colourful plants; a third terrace will house a luxurious hot tub.

The views from the villa are incredible and the town of Lapedona looks intriguing. What can owners of Villa Veneto expect when spending time here? Lapedona is a small medieval town, dating from the 11th-century and located just a few minutes’ drive from the coast and larger towns. There are cafés, bars and restaurants and one of the most upmarket pizza restaurants in Italy, Didacus. The town is steeped in history and famous for its summer classical music festivals held annually in one of the piazzas. The bread shop in the neighbouring town of Moresco bakes the best bread in Le Marche. Torre de Palme, another nearby town, has three amazing restaurants and a regular antique fair that runs throughout the summer. Porto san Giorgio is a busy seaside town just a five-minute’ drive from Lapedona and perfect for those seeking a little nightlife. Villa Veneto is the perfect base for exploring the coast, mountains and countryside. That said, many of our property owners choose to simply stay at home and enjoy the luxury of living in Italy.

Appassionata’s stunning new holiday property Villa Veneto has 10 fractional ownership shares available now. Discovery tours of the property can be arranged by contacting Dawn at Appassionata. www.appassionata.com

Benefits of Fractional Ownership with Appassionata

• Stress Free Ownership – clear and simple contracts, no hidden fees, taxes or purchase costs

• All-inclusive Service – includes year-round property management and maintenance

• Luxury Living – your property is beautifully presented and furnished to the very highest standards

• Family and Friends – share your Italian lifestyle with friends and family, make memories and pass on a legacy

• Added Value – fractional ownership is cost effective, running costs are minimised yet the property is fully equipped

• Design Details – each Appassionata property has been personally created by Interior Designer Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs