A Tuscan farmhouse: Follonico's rustic elegance
This house in southern Tuscany has been refurbished using reclaimed, recycled, upcycled materials, with plenty of antiques and vintage finds for charming, restful interiors
If you're dreaming of a week or two in a Tuscan farmhouse..and you're not stony broke.. Follonico is a lovely house to consider....With insouciantly elegant rustic interiors achieved with sustainable materials, antique, upcycled and vintage furniture and plenty of imagination, it has four suites, and two double bedrooms. It's south east of Siena in rolling countryside, Mediterranean pines in abundance, of course. follonico.com.
Nearest airports are Florence and Pisa, both about 1.5 hours drive.
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Boutique hotel glamour is all very well but rural rusticity done well is equally entrancing. Follonico is a Tuscan farmhouse that has been very lovingly restored by owners Fabio Firli and his Dutch wife Suzanne Simons. They've designed it to offer peace and tranquility to guests who want comfort and beauty but not opulence. And their charming interior design puts everyone in the right state of mind to embrace rural living, with lots of antique furniture, quirky accessories, ancient terracotta and stone floors, walls painted in breathable lime paints, heavy linen fabrics, not to mention ingenious storage ideas.
Follonico offers eclectic and relaxed farmhouse charm. Suzanne and Fabio kept the original and therefore centuries-old terracotta and flagstone floors and used eco friendly paints throughout. Original wooden doors and shutters have been left in their natural state and where new wood was needed, they sourced reclaimed timber. Much of the furniture and some light fittings were sourced from antique shops, while the linens and handmade ceramics are locally sourced.
A study/work room has an old typewriter, vintage wedding dresses hang on rails and for winter visits, the house is warmed by a wood burning stove and an open fire. Bathrooms are clean and modern.
Cooking classes and wine tasting sessions are available.
Follonico offers six suites, each for two people.
