Sleeps 7
3 double bedrooms, 2 single bedrooms, 2 shower rooms and 1 bathroom.
Location: Arezzo and Cortona
This property rents Friday to Friday
As the clean lines of Italian design are as well known in some circles as the charm of Tuscan tradition, it stands to reason that some home owners would opt for a different look when building a home. Modernista was the result of a family's choice to pay homage to architectural greats such as Wright while still living at the edge of a small village. Now that the house has been handed down to a younger generation, for a present-day family or a group of friends on holiday this translates to comfortable open spaces both inside and out and the chance to experience village life at its most authentic. Respecting the modern tenet of 'living on the horizontal while surrounded by nature', the fenced property has a garden that wraps around its stone and stucco facade and places its water feature, the family pool, in the best spot to enjoy a Tuscan view.
The entrance off the circular drive is up a few steps, but once through the front door, with one exception, the house avoids the vertical. From the entryway there is a corridor to the left to two large double bedrooms and a shared bathroom with sunken tub and shower facilities. Also from the entrance wide glass doors lead into a spacious living room flooded with light from the large picture windows and doors looking out to the covered terrace and the garden beyond. The living room, whose fireplace is built into the dark stone wall at one end, has sofas and armchairs enough to seat the household. Though it is likely that many meals will happen al fresco on the terrace, there is a dining room with a table for 8 conveniently between the living area and the kitchen. As befits the house, the eat-in kitchen has a clean stainless look, but marble- topped counters, rush-seated dining chairs and a brick niche give a nod to a more traditional look. A few steps from the kitchen is a shower room dressed in travertine that serves the single bedroom with a French double bed across the hall. A further hallway ends in a second sitting room with a corner fireplace, a door to the garden and a stairway to two additional bedrooms, a single and a double, which share a smart shower room on this floor.
The back terrace, which overlooks the garden, is furnished with dining table and a portable barbecue, while a gate from the terrace opens to a fenced garden area that leads to the pool. Though resting above ground, the pool is sizeable enough for brief cooling laps and the wooden deck to one side puts chairs and bronzing guests in just the position for enjoying the view.
Across the road from the house is a small chapel built to commemorate the fact that centuries ago Pergine was spared when the plague stopped there. The plague may have obligingly stopped, but guests should sally forward into the small town for there are restaurants, shops, a weekly market and life around the central piazza. Pergine Valdarno is at the center of the Florence-Siena-Arezzo triangle and Modernista is ideally positioned for those who want to explore; buses to the medieval cities of Siena or Arezzo are steps away, a fast train from nearby Montevarchi can deliver you to the Renaissance heart of Florence in short order and a motorway entrance is only 20 km. away for those who like to be at the wheel. For those preferring a slower lane, the wide Arno valley makes biking in this area a delight and the owner can arrange for a two-wheel vehicle to be waiting. No matter what the means or how far away the destination, the return to a garden and the view from the pool will be a welcome end of the day.
Let me start by saying that I have had the pleasure of staying in many villas throughout Italy. I have to say my stay at Modernista was joyous the property was better than I anticipated. The rooms were airy and modern and the pool was a great resource. The location in the small town of Peregine Valdarno was perfect enabling us to walk into the town for basic shopping and the bar in the evening and the restaurant. Yet it was only a short drive away from Florence and Siena. Our hosts were attentive and helpful and in no way intrusive. The whole region is wonderful and for me Certona was an unexpected bonus as was Civitella. Modernista helped me connect with Italians and the Italian ways in a way I have not been able to from other tourist type villas. I cannot recommend it enough.