Rooted in Heritage: Reawakening A Tuscan Prime Estate

To bring this vision to life, we’re working once again with the landscaper who first shaped these grounds  decades ago. His long-standing familiarity with the land, its soil, its gradient, its seasonal shifts, brings a quiet continuity to this next chapter. You can even see traces of that original vision in the hand‑drawn plans from 2009, included in the gallery below, where the foundations of today’s transformation were first sketched. With this history guiding the process, every plant is chosen for the conditions in which it thrives best, ensuring the garden will flourish for years to come.

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The goal is to create an alfresco escape worthy of Tuscany’s rolling hills and the views that stretch beyond. Unlike our previous projects, this garden calls for a softer kind of grandeur, one that reflects the home’s Florentine character, where elegant proportions and a light Renaissance spirit are balanced with a warmth that feels inherently connected to the landscape.

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Having been built originally in the 19th century and having cultivated wine on the estate we move through the garden with care. Historic touches, including original hidden murals behind traditional shutters and playful Italian details, give the space a sense of quiet whimsy that extends beyond the planting itself. Working from this existing canvas requires attentiveness and respect.

The journey begins at the entrance, designed to make as striking an impression as the interiors will. Stately cypress trees will line the approach, offering both structure and drama while guiding the eye toward the home. Interwoven with lavender and lemon trees, the air will carry a freshness that’s distinctly Tuscan.

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To complement this natural architecture, large terracotta pots and soft uplighting will frame the drive, while a central water feature becomes the focal point, radiating outward. By day, it sets a tranquil atmosphere; by night, lighting around the feature and along the planting ensures the entrance remains striking, even during late-summer evenings. For a closer look at how this vision is taking shape, you can explore the current sketch plans in the gallery below.

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The approach continues through a series of redesigned walkways laid thoughtfully around trees and seating areas. These new routes invite movement while providing contrast to the greenery. Low-level planting will ease transitions between hardscape and garden, ensuring the landscape feels organic yet curated. In true Italian fashion, we will also be restoring the pergola to its former glory, complete with thoughtfully arranged seating that invites long afternoons outdoors.

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In true Italian fashion, we will also be restoring the pergola to its former glory. First placed here by the landscaper in his original design, it will be refreshed and refined, with a gently defined pathway leading up to it and framed by soft planting that gathers around it like an embrace. This will become a quietly romantic retreat, a place to pause and take in the views that unfold beyond. You can explore its current state, along with the accompanying plans and sketches, in the gallery below.

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Around the pool, we’re taking a restorative yet elevated approach. The existing terracotta tiling will be carefully cleaned and revived, bringing back its original warmth and character. All of the current decking will be replaced to create a more refined finish. Steps will be backfilled with gravel to complement the planting and soften transitions, while the original stone steps will be tidied and sharpened, small details that add up to a noticeably more elegant poolside experience.

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Perhaps the most playful detail will be in the pool itself: a diamond-patterned painting, evoking classic Italian design while still feeling modern and luxurious. This subtle twist adds an unexpected layer of artistry, ensuring the pool becomes both a retreat and a statement in its own right.