Casa la Quercia, Grezzano - Borgo San Lorenzo - Florence

There’s a real sense of history about this quirky old stone villa in the heart of the Florentine countryside, named after the 500-year-old oak tree in its grounds. It offers a perfect blend of old and new, melding traditional Tuscan architecture with modern furnishings and fittings. The open-plan, split-level layout, linked by stairs and arches, is straight out of an interiors magazine. On the ground floor, a cavernous (and superbly equipped) kitchen flows into an equally spacious dining room. Up a short flight of stairs, a second huge lounge unfolds, leading upwards again to the top floor and a further space for relaxing. There are unique details, too, such as the beautiful hardwood dining table in the kitchen and the king-size bed in the mezzanine-floor bedroom, both of which are made from reclaimed peroba.

The villa itself isn’t the only attraction. There is a huge patio at the front, which is likely to rival the lounges as the place to meet on warm sunny days, and a second terrace by the kitchen provides a handy spot for dining al fresco. At the rear of the villa is a delightful garden with a private pool at its heart, where a gazebo with swagged drapes, provides a romantic setting for a long lunch. With Pisa, Florence and the vineyards of Chianti close by, this is a wonderful base for what’s bound to be a memorable holiday.

Ground Floor

Dining Room
Table and chairs, sideboard, trunk, side table, chairs, main entrance.

Kitchen
Fully equipped, table and benches, two armchairs, fireplace.

Bathroom 1
Shower, sink, WC.

Utility Room
Fully equipped.

Mezzanine floor

Lounge 1
Two sofas, banquette, armchair, coffee table, writing desk, bureau, sideboard.

Bedroom 1
Double bed (cannot be converted into twins), wardrobe, armchair, French windows to garden.

First Floor

Lounge 2
Two sofas, banquette, coffee table, chairs.

Study
Desk and chair, two bookcases.

Bedroom 2
Double bed (cannot be converted into twins), chest of drawers, chair.

Bedroom 3
Double bed (cannot be converted into twins), chest of drawers.

Bedroom 4
Twin beds (cannot be converted into a double), chest of drawers, chair.

Bedroom 5
Four-poster double bed (cannot be converted into twins), wardrobe, chest of drawers, chaise longue, armchair.

Bathroom 2
Shower, sink, WC.

Bathroom 3
Shower, sink, WC.

Our Thoughts
This is such an unusual villa, authentically Tuscan, yet with a layout that belongs very much to this century. We love that there are so many places to relax here, outside and in. All those sofas and stylish banquettes – even a chaise longue in one of the bedrooms. And the inside-outside appeal is wonderful, too: the way the mezzanine bedroom opens out into the garden beneath the canopy of an ancient oak. The pool is a beauty, with its elegantly dressed pergola.

Notes
Five bedrooms. Three bathrooms. There are steep open steps leading to the different levels and some high steps up to rooms on the ground floor. Guests with young children are asked to take necessary precautions around the open staircase.
Please note that the television can play DVDs but does not receive a broadcast signal.
Parking - On site.

Pool
The large pool is in the garden, furnished with sun loungers and parasols, and a gazebo with table and chairs. The water is accessed via metal steps.
The pool measures 6x12 metres with a depth of 1.2 - 2.0 metres. There are plenty of sun loungers and parasols around the poolside. The pool is open from May to end of September, weather permitting.