A house in Umbria with a pool overlooking Lake Trasimeno in Italy

Perched on the heights of Monte Melino, this house in Umbria is a stone structure overlooking Lake Trasimeno. Casa Montemelino is situated on a hill on the border with Tuscany. Its old walls, green shutters, and roofs of antique tiles blend seamlessly with carefully selected contemporary furnishings. For lovers of renovated old farmhouses, it stands out as a model.

A stone facade true to the rural architecture of Umbria

The house features architecture typical of the Umbrian countryside. The facade, built of local stone, is punctuated by windows framed in red brick, which is also found at the corners of the house. Its almond-green shutters add rhythm to its architecture, echoing its surroundings. In the vegetable garden, vegetables and herbs are grown for family meals.

The restoration preserved its roof of antique tiles and its original proportions. This fidelity to the historic structure anchors the house in its authentic, rural landscape. The surrounding gardens, planted with olive trees and cypresses, are typical of the region. A wrought-iron gate and antique metal shutters protect certain openings, in the traditional style.

A kitchen designed for communal living

At the heart of the house, the kitchen is organized around a long island made of wood and travertine stone. The stone countertop complements the wooden cabinet fronts. Open wooden shelves display glass jars, pottery, and kitchen utensils. Italian and French cookbooks line a low shelf alongside colorful textiles folded with care. A traditional red Bialetti Italian coffee maker sits atop the stove, ready for use.

The adjoining dining room is furnished with a large table made of unfinished pine and chairs made of woven rattan. Smoked-glass pendant lights illuminate the dining table and hang from the exposed ceiling beams. The weathered beams and limestone floor reinforce the rustic character of the space.

A vaulted living room blending old stone with contemporary furniture

The main living room has retained its carved stone fireplace, a remnant of the original structure. A large, weathered leather sofa allows you to enjoy the warmth of the fire. An arched opening leads to a study situated beneath two windows. The exposed beams and solid oak floor lend it a warm atmosphere.

There are other living rooms in this spacious stone house, places to retreat, read, rest, or escape the scorching Umbrian sun on certain summer days. It is a house that exudes tranquility, a place made for recharging away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Cozy bedrooms and marble bathrooms

From the stone staircase in the entryway, you can access the house’s bedrooms. There are seven in the main house. Each one has its own private bathroom. They are diverse and have their own unique character. One features a fireplace, another a four-poster bed. Still others have a more contemporary feel. All are decorated in neutral, soothing tones that are perfect for relaxation, whether you’re spending restorative nights there or taking naps. Woven baskets, round brass mirrors, and blown-glass lamps add a touch of craftsmanship to each room. The windows look out over the treetops of the holm oaks and the surrounding landscape. The guest house completes the retreat with an eighth bedroom and its own separate sitting area.

All the bathrooms exude elegance. In one of them, you’ll find a white freestanding bathtub facing a window that looks out onto the surrounding countryside. Another has a more minimalist feel, combining light-colored polished concrete with white linen curtains, all while maintaining that magnificent view of the hills.

A pool and gardens overlooking the Italian hills

The pool overlooks the valley and the surrounding rows of olive trees. Its pool house features an outdoor kitchen area and a spacious, shaded lounge. Wooden poufs and lounge chairs line the pool, shaded by a parasol. The outdoor furniture echoes the green and white hues of the house, creating a seamless visual continuity between the interior and exterior.

Our take on the decor of this stone house

The decor of this house in Umbria strikes a perfect balance between its rustic authenticity and contemporary comfort. Its rough stone, which might otherwise seem cold, is warmed by the presence of wood in every room. The rooms retain their original features, beams, stone, and fireplaces, without ever making the house feel stuck in the past. Modern furnishings, such as the camel-colored leather armchairs in the living room, complement the antique pieces, and the result is surprisingly successful. The house is decorated in a subdued color palette that blends with the surrounding landscape.

The modern bathrooms contrast with the rustic feel of the other rooms in the house. Yet this choice is perfect, as the colors harmonize with those of the bedrooms. We appreciate the attention paid to everyday objects, embroidered bed linens, handcrafted pottery, and cookbooks that make you want to get cooking. This house exemplifies a strong trend of our time,  the celebration of rural heritage and its integration with contemporary elements that respect history.

A style that inspires us for our rural homes

In a lot of countries, we have many former farmhouses just waiting to be brought back to life. This approach to blending old stone with more contemporary touches is therefore a model to follow. Solid wood kitchens with a central island, like the one in this Umbrian home, are a beautiful example of blending eras, a look worth replicating in an old stone house. Respecting the original structure without sacrificing modern comfort is undoubtedly a path worth following for the renovation of our heritage.

Umbria, between Lake Trasimeno and the Tuscan hills

Monte Melino is situated on a hill overlooking Lake Trasimeno, on the border between Umbria and Tuscany. The lake’s islands and the villages along its shores are a marvel waiting to be discovered. Perugia is within easy reach, as are Cortona and Assisi. The region combines olive groves, vineyards, and rolling green hills, far from the hustle and bustle of Tuscan tourism.

This house in Umbria is available for rent by clicking on this link