MANSION GLOBAL
C A PA N NOR I , L UCC A , I TA LY
Italian exuberance
E N G L I S H H I D E A WA Y CLAIRE CARPONEN
A secluded country house overlooking the posh English town of Henley-onThames is on the market. Known as Bowsey Manor, the five-bedroom home was listed last week for £4 million ($7.8 million) with estate agency Strutt & Parker. The residence has been extended and restored by the owners, who have lived there for around 20 years, according to Edward Lucas, listing agent and director of Strutt & Parker’s country department. While loaded with historic details and features such as exposed timbers, vaulted ceilings and antique marble fireplaces, the home also features contemporary design. The owners chose the design deliberately, wanting to “maintain its authenticity while creating something up to modern standard to live in”, Lucas says. “The old and new
Frescoes depicting mythological themes adorn the walls and ceilings of this historic mansion outside the city of Lucca, while its gardens feature stone nymphs, a peschiera (fish pond) and a number of artificial caves. Villa Mansi once belonged to the Mansi family, whose wealth came from the silk trade. The house has 16th-century origins, but was mainly built in the 17th century. It was transformed in the 18th century by the architect Giudi, who created its Rococo facade. Theatrical Baroque gardens were added by the stage set designer Filippo Juvarra, and classical murals and trompe l’oeil paintings by the Lucchese artist Stefano Tofanelli. Set in the rolling Tuscan countryside, it sits grandly behind flat lawns shaded by ancient trees. The gardens have become more natural over the years, though the theatrical set pieces of the grottoes and peschiera have been retained, bringing a sense of romance and atmosphere to the grounds. Villa Mansi is an iconic property, says Daniela Sprea of Italy Sotheby’s International Realty agent in Lucca, who has listed it for €19 million ($31 million)
CA L I FORN I A N LU X U RY
sit together very well.” LIZ LUCKING
A sleek new contemporary estate in Los Angeles’s exclusive Bel Air has been listed for $US19.899 million ($30.17 million) by James Harris and David Parnes of The Agency, and Jade Mills of Coldwell Banker. It last sold in 2017 for $4.2 million ($6.3 million) to a corporation. The three-level, 1117sq m house, on a 3723sq m lot in the prestigious West Gate section, was completed in 2019. “It’s a stunning modern house,” Harris says. “It doesn’t look like a typical modern box. It has warmth and texture and lovely architectural significance,” with smoked glass, stone and exotic woods. In addition to an infinity glass-bottomed pool with a waterfall, the gated property has a rooftop bar, a garden and a four-car garage. The house has seven bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, two half- bathrooms, an elevator, and a 9m custom chandelier. On the lower level is a bar, a movie theatre, a fitness centre, a wine cellar, and a private patio with views of the city and ocean. NANCY A RUHLING
MARCH 14-15, 2020
| THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN
MANSIONAUSTRALIA.COM.AU
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