How a 500-Year-Old Tuscan Farmhouse Became Villa Ardore, a Luxury Retreat Reborn in Chianti

The couple, who have worked extensively on historical projects in the past, like restoring Spanish colonial revival homes in Los Angeles, were drawn to the villa by its striking beauty. The architecture, Renaissance in essence, had ample bedrooms, ensuite bathrooms and a barn that had been converted into more living spaces. The surrounding property was flush with native plants and enchanting vineyards, adding to its natural charm.

“We really fell in love with the property the moment we saw it,” Lewis says. “Although it was a little shabby, because it had been a lower-end bed and breakfast that hadn’t been used for a couple of years, it had—I don’t know if it sounds crazy to say this about a building—a kind of soul. The building had been there for over 500 years and had seen so much history.”

Honoring this home’s storied past meant emphasizing restoration over renovation. Lewis and Scali had to strike the challenging balance of implementing modern conveniences into the villa without overly disturbing its 500-year-old architecture. To do this, they preserved the original facade and wired wi-fi boosters into the walls for modern internet accessibility. They also installed custom-made double-pane windows and doors with natural brown finishes, to replace the dilapidated frames that had been installed in the 1980s. Finally, they converted the barn into a spa by weaving in traditional elements like earth-toned marble, reclaimed teak wood flooring and local stone, allowing the space to meld contemporary design and traditional Tuscan flair.

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This detailed restoration of the villa was brought to fruition through intense and thoughtful collaboration between Lewis, Scali and Florence-based architect, Massimo Pierattelli of Pierattelli Architecture. Additionally, the two designers befriended local artisans who assisted them in the restoration process.

“For me, it was when the walls were painted and we finally started placing rugs and furniture. It was only then that I was really sure that we had done what we set out to do: preserve the spirit of the original farmhouse and bring it to an extremely high level of comfort and sophistication without detracting from that spirit,” Lewis says.

What made this project different from any historical restoration that they had previously done stateside is that Villa Ardore changed the way Lewis and Scali viewed their personal daily rhythms. 

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“Here, we tend to be much freer with our time. It’s not unusual for us to have a four or five-hour lunch with friends on a weekend,” Lewis describes. “In our lives in Los Angeles, we often felt the pressure to move on to the next thing. Here we find ourselves relaxing into and savoring the time we spend going about our daily lives, and especially with friends. We get to spend so much more time enjoying each other’s company, too, which has been a welcome change.”

Villa Ardore is now available to be rented out in its entirety. Complete with eight bedrooms, an infinity pool, private spa, wine cellar and breathtaking views, this estate is a tribute to the art of curated restoration and heartfelt hospitality.

“At a time when the general quality of service seems to be at an industry low, we have invested in our team, instilling in them the same loving passion we have for the property in them,” Scali says. “The resulting high-quality service is the thing we are most proud of with Villa Ardore. When you are here, you are truly home.” 

When guests walk through the bespoke home or saunter along the property’s natural gardens, the couple wants them to feel the storied tranquility and soul of Villa Ardore that first drew them to the property years ago.

“We hope that they hear a story of restfulness and contentment,” Scali describes. “And we hope that it comes not only from the services that we provide to make their stay at the villa seamless, but also from the grounds, villa and spa themselves, which just seem to somehow radiate a feeling of calm.”