Pierattelli Architetture in Florence dove headfirst into the challenge of revamping and sprucing up Villa il Gioiello, merging refined elegance with the property's ancient charm.
The sprawling five-story abode covering 7,500 square feet is tucked away in the hills near Florence's city centre. It sits along a serpentine road lined with quaint, rustic stone walls adding a touch of whimsy to the scenery.
Pierattelli Architetture successfully kept the property's timeless charm and historic essence intact. Memories of yesteryear effortlessly merge with present-day practicality, jazzed up with a collection of art pieces by renowned twentieth-century artists such as Alighiero Boetti, Ettore Spalletti, Jannis Kounellis and Mario Schifano.
The architects have restored and enhanced original elements, injecting new personality into both the interiors and outdoor garden, which features an infinity pool lined with white quartzite. The collaboration with landscape architect Gianni Medoro, a protege of Pietro Porcinai, led to the pool's redesign and expansion. Some period elements, like the outdoor loggia facing the garden, and the solid teak parquet flooring, which was reclaimed and repurposed as tiles, are still present.
Arches, wooden beams and a large vaulted hall, other rooms have been revitalized using a combination of natural materials such as marble, travertine, teak, and walnut wood, creating a fresh and updated look. The spacious ground floor rooms are perfect for entertaining, with a striking double-height design in the dual living space featuring a cross-vaulted ceiling. The upgraded Tuscan kitchen combines warm teak with stone, adding a modern flair. The dining room boasts three arched windows that frame picturesque views, along with a staircase crafted by Pierattelli Architetture.
Additionally, the bathroom and living area include a generous reading room complete with a striking geometric bookcase in Canaletto walnut and brushed brass metal, illuminated by ambient lighting. Many of the furnishings in the space were custom-designed by the architects themselves.
The impressive master bedroom on the first floor offers breathtaking views of the Tuscan hills and opens onto a private outdoor living room on the loggia. Adding character to the bedroom is a Canaletto walnut wood staircase with a sleek parapet designed by Pierattelli Architetture. The flooring, too, features reclaimed wood tiles with an Indian Teak border. Attention to detail is apparent in the Canaletto walnut wood paneling on the ceiling and walls, leading to a discreet entrance to the walk-in wardrobe.
On the third floor, accessible via an extension of the preexisting indoor staircase, the attic serves as a guest flat with a skylighted bedroom, bathroom and living room. This expansion was made possible by constructing a new steel floor slab that extends through most of the first floor, effectively expanding the villa's overall space.
Photo: Pierattelli Architetture
