Casa Francesco

A stylish and luxurious house designed and built by its artistic and discerning owner, on a site chosen for its views to the medieval hamlet of San Casciano dei Bagni and its panoramic view of Monte Amiata.

This sensational house has been decorated to the highest standards - wonderful style and attention to detail; It has been featured in several magazines and the book "Private Tuscany".
Only a short drive from the delightful village of San Casciano dei Bagni, and its excellent thermal spring spa center, Casa Francesco is set in beautifully landscaped grounds and a pool designed to fool the eye, as it blends in with the formal yet unpretentious gardens. Casa Francesco makes the most of its all nearly 360 degree views with wrap around terraces, creating intimate areas for dining or just relaxing.

Inside, colours are muted and peaceful, with a huge living room and large fireplace. The rooms are beautifully decorated with handsome fabrics, antiques and portraits of the owner’s ancestors. The charming kitchen is also state of the art. However, this elegant house is still very much a home, and the personal touches evident everywhere, combine to make a wonderful venue from which to explore Tuscany and Umbria

The owner, a landscape and interior designer, purchased these 50 acres for the setting — an oak forest and woodland-covered hill which opens to the spreading countryside below; Monte Cetona, Monte Amiata, Radicofani and the town of San Casciano itself visible from the property.. A rough dirt road of a kilometre brings you to one of two automatic gates. There is covered parking for four cars precedes the gardens; two large vegetable gardens to the east, then a Medieval garden — beautifully wrought formal beds with olive trees, lavender and irises — the grey/purple palette blending beautifully in the fall as well as spring. There are potted hydrangeas and flower boxes lining the walkway, which brings you to the front door.

Ground floor: Entrance hall - Living room occupies entire end of house with French doors to terrace and pool. There is a lovely fireplace. Oil portraits complement the bright, appealing furniture. An alcove at the west end includes a large antique desk and fax machine. Satellite TV.
Dining room with French doors leading to covered loggia – Separate dining room, which doubles as a library. Two antique wood tables, each square, can be set separately or together for 14
Kitchen – Very large eat-in kitchen (4-gas and 1-electric burner, large oven, fridge with separate freezer, double sinks, dishwasher, blender) with working fireplace, comfortable for breakfast for six or eight. Two windows to the formal garden bed. Grey Carrara marble counters and contemporary cupboards with wire fronts and wood frames in grey stain. Door opens to parking area for ease of unloading after shopping.

Large master bedroom (king) with elegant four-poster bed and antique writing desk; Bright and airy, with west-facing views over the garden and a door opening to the pool. Two closets provide ample storage space. TV with satellite. Striking pickled wood floors here as throughout the house. Beautifully finished ensuite bath (tub with hand-held shower, shower stall).

Twin bedroom with en-suite bath. Lovely double bedroom (twins cannot combine) with iron frame beds, heavy cotton spreads and red plaid wool blankets. Cotta-tiled floor and area rugs, plus 18th century antique Italian armoire in Chinese style and dresser, painted similarly. TV with satellite
Full bathroom (tub with wall-mounted shower and curtain) can be both private to the bedroom and serve as a guest bathroom.

First floor: Double bedroom with study area and en-suite bath – Second master bedroom (queen) with wonderful spiralled, four-poster bed, alcove for desk and antique dresser

Twin bedroom - Bath (can be made en-suite with further) TV with satellite. Very large closet. Ensuite bath (tub with wall-mounted shower, partial glass partition) with marble counter and inset sink.

Distinctive single bedroom with silk bedspread on antique sleigh bed (French bed) plus desk and dresser. Opens to private west-facing terrace and views of Monte Amiata and Monte Cetona. Walk-in closet. Ensuite bath (tub with wall-mounted shower, curtain) overlooks the medieval garden.

Romantic double bedroom (queen) with canopied iron bed on stained hardwood floor, finished in green and white cottons. TV with satellite.

Elegant double bedroom with modern iron bedsteads (twins cannot combine), several antiques and a series of engraved portraits from the 17th century. There are two windows looking on to the mountains.
Shared bath (tub with wall-mounted shower, curtain).

Lower ground level: Small, simple double bedroom (twins can combine) with skylight. Ensuite bath (tub with hand-held shower and curtain). Most suitable for children or nanny.
Laundry room with washing machine and dryer.

Facilities: Washing machine, dishwasher, telephone, fax, TV, 18 x 39 ft heated pool (heating extra). Maid service 3 hours per day, 6 days per week. Cook: On request

Included in price - heat (for house and pool); telephone; additional cleaning; personal laundry; cooking and advance shopping; food, wine and consumables; refundable security deposit ($3,000)

Cleaning included 3 hrs/day, 6-days/wk. Arrival dinner and initial shopping on request. Additional cleaning and excellent cook also available on request at $10.50/hr. Single satellite box connects most TVs. Fax machine.

Nearby towns
San Casciano dei Bagni: 5 mins. by car
Chiusi (autostrada, supermarket): 20 mins.
Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino, Orvieto: 40 mins.
Perugia, Assisi, Siena, Arezzo: 1 hr.
Florence, Rome: 1 1/2 hrs. (by train)
Florence Airport, Rome Airport: 2 hrs.

The 14 x 4 meter heated pool around the south side of the house, just beyond the covered terrace. There are ample lounge chairs for taking sun. This first covered sitting area includes both a rustic wood table seating eight comfortably, and a separate sitting area with comfortable loveseats and armchairs and a particularly lovely climbing rose around the beams which blooms spring until October. Around to the west face of the property there are two additional choices for outdoor dining; one open with just an umbrella, the other a covered loggia with table for 14. Enormous potted hydrangeas and rhododendron line the edge; jasmine and clematis climb the house. In addition, a separate outdoor staircase leads directly to the upper level sleeping quarters. There is excellent outdoor lighting for pool, trees and patios.