A love story - told by Kirstin

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Welcome to our home in Italy! 

I fell in love with this house in 2015 when I came to Puglia determined to fulfil my dream of owning a home in Italy. While it was love at first sight, the house needed a lot of work!

The old half of the house, with its vaulted ceilings, metre thick walls and original tiles was built in the 1600s. The newer half was built some time in the early 1900s by a local priest.  He foraged materials, and many of the flagstones on the terrace come from a local church that was decommissioned.  

As well as having been a home, the house was once a school for local farmers' children, who played football on the back field.

Originally from New Zealand, I've spent the last 25 years living and working in London. My passion for food led me to owning my own London restaurant, and it was this that first drew me to Puglia. 

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A Welshman comes to Puglia

I met Steffan in London in 2020 and we spent an increasing amount of time together at the house over the subsequent few years - Leading to a rooftop proposal in 2023 and our wedding in the garden in May 2024!

Steffan is an interior designer and budding gardener and it took no time for hime to immerse himself in the house and gardens.

It has been our dream to share this wonderful place with others, combining our passion for food and design.

 

Future plans 

in addition to developing the garden, we're planning to add a swimming pool and outdoor kitchen by summer 2025 and later we'll convert the stable block into a large kitchen, lounge, dining space, and a further bedroom.