Customer Reviews

Restoring a Home in Italy

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While this book may look more like a coffee table piece - and it could very well be - I read it cover to cover. The stories were very informative, telling of the beauty and the challenges of restoring one of these fine homes. After each of the functional sections there was a great write up on the details of the topic, such as; roofing, swimming pools, heating, etc. Naturally, you can tell I loved it and would recommend it to anyone interested in fine Italian home. I hope the author reads this and realized what a great job she did. ....

What a great book! The author Elizabeth Minchilli has done has superb job in creating this wonderful book. Although she's not Italian, she now lives in Italy after marrying an Italian architect. Her love and passion for Italy is obvious and the wealth of information that she has gathered is priceless to anyone thinking or planning to buy and/or restore a home in Italy. Her informative writing is beautifully coupled with fantastic photos from the well known photographer Simon McBride. The setting of some of these homes is spectacular! There are many books out there on Italy, but this is truly a must for any fan of Italy or old rural architecture. I highly recommend this book even if you don't have any intention in restoring a home in Italy.

Since we live in the southwest, but don't particularly want to decorate SWestern ..I like this book because it uses the same materials found here but in a different way... Wood, stone, tile..flagstone for the patios..
They use simple uncluttered lines in their decor inside and out..
There is a type of tranquility built in. Something we look for in this complicated world.

This book was EXACTLY what I looking for! It has many different houses in locations all over Italy. For someone seriously interested in the process of restoring a house in Italy and all the different styles and regions, this is the book for you. There are lots of photos and I found the descriptions and helpful hints (there are sections about kitchens, real estate agents etc) a great resource. After reading many many memoirs on restoring a house in Europe, this is the first book I felt closer to actually tackling this dream for myself. It has a great balance between the fantasy world and reality. I highly recommend this book.

I love this book, and read it over and over again, for both the helpful and
accurate information and for the gorgeous photos.
A proud addition to my personal library.
Anna Marie Fritz - [...].

A book that is in a large format which makes the photos seem like you are almost really there, but the book isn't so heavy that it is cumbersome. The variety of homes and gardens are good enough to make almost each one memorable. One of a group of recent books on Tuscany and Italy that will become rare and more expensive to purchase as time goes by. I think most people will find it worth the current price.

This book showed several old houses from many different areas of Italy that have been restored and decorated in the Italian style. I especially like that the houses were from many different areas of Italy and not just Tuscany as many books do.

The beautiful photography was taken after the work was done and does not show the process. Even though this book does not show how to restore, it is valuable to see how ancient homes were brought to life and can be lived in today. I am planning to restore a home in the "heel" and it was helpful to see how homes in this area of Italy can be revived.

After our house burned in San Diego county, during the waiting time for the insurance company, the architect, the engineer, and the city approval, we purchansed MANY books on Tuscan design and architecture, as that is the style we want to emulate. Restoring a Home in Italy provided may examples that helped us though the selection process.