In my previous post I said "all is good" after my son's burst appendix saga - well it seems I was a bit premature because my poor boy landed up in hospital for more surgery after complications set in and spent another 5 days in hospital! But he is now back home and well on the road to recovery and I slept in my bed last night for the first time in a while. (Those Lazy Boy chairs they have in hospital need to be redesigned!!) It is a very cold and wet Saturday morning and I am still in bed with my recovering child (and puppies) while my husband has gone off to take the other boys to their various rugby and soccer matches. I am quite happy to have an excuse to stay right where I am!
Moving on ... if you saw the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" ... the name Bramasole might mean something to you. It was the name of the run down house in the Italian countryside that the author, Frances Mayes, bought and spent most of the movie renovating.
Bramasole lies nestled on a hill outside the ancient town of Cortona. It served as the set for the film in 2002 before its 4 year restoration began in 2006. This is what the property looks like today.
There is both a main villa and a farmhouse of the property, hence the 2 different kitchens you see below.
Every bedroom is uniquely decorated with beautiful original features.
The grounds are beautifully landscaped.
So, what do you think? I think, as lovely as it is, it is missing some of the romance of the house in the movie. Maybe it has been spruced up a bit too much, I would have liked to see some crumbling wall and peeling paint. I also wonder what happened to that beautiful tap that came out of the wall in the middle of nowhere. Do you remember the tap? (or faucet for my American readers).
Till next time
Sharon x
Source: here
Oh fantastic, I have always wondered about that house and like you looking through the pictures I was foremost looking for the beautiful tap! Clearly just not needed now or maybe it was just theatrical padding for the film, it has been done up to look modern and lost its soul, but its good to know it actually existed, unlike the house in the film 'Practical Magic'.
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the best for your sons recovery, take all the lay ins with him you can, purely medicinal lay ins of course, will aid his recovery, and do your mummy heart the world of good.
How beautiful. That is one of my favorite movies. Hope your son feels better soon.
ReplyDeleteSharon, I'm so sorry to hear about all that your son (and you) have been through...work has been extra busy and I missed your last post. Hopefully he is on the mend and you will have a wonderful Summer ahead of you. This home is fabulous, but I agree missing a tad of it's charm from the movie. One of my favorites. Makes me want to watch it again. XO, Mona
ReplyDeleteI wondered the same thing about the tap and was looking for it among the pictures.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree the home has lost a bit of it's rustic warmth. While beautiful it feels slightly fussy, but not so fussy that I wouldn't want to stay there! lol
lovely photos, thank you.
o'k, Wow, what a time you have had! Glad to hear that your son is on the mend. I am a new follower to your blog and am enjoying getting caught up:) A beautiful post today, and I agree with you...there needs to be a little less of the perfect in the reno; I am still looking for the tap! Have a restful weekend, Brenda.
ReplyDeleteGosh I hardly recognise the house from the one in the movie..I do like the range with the blue/ white tiles in the kitchen. Loved the movie, perhaps must make ti e to watch it again...such a feel good flick. Colette x
ReplyDeleteOh Sharon. I am pleased to hear that your son is on the mend. What a difficult time for you. When a child is ill, there is nothing but worry and sleepless nights. I would be right where you are, cozy,and snuggling with son and puppies!
ReplyDeleteBramasole now looks new. It is stunning, but it does lack the non contrived charm of an old European country lifestyle.
I have always wished to get a group of women together to purchase some olive oil grown and pressed
at Bramasole. It is quite spendy to do on one's own.
http://www.thetuscansun.com/jointheconvivium.html
As always, you share such brilliance and beauty, my far off friend.
My thoughts, prayers, and well wishes are with you and your family this day!
~Lynne
w/L.
Beautiful house! We are currently building a house in the French countryside so your blog offers great inspiration. We are still at the bricks and mortar stage, I can't wait for the design and decor part of the build.
ReplyDeleteWishing your son well.
Tout simplement magnifique!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy he is on hos way to recovery and am so sorry htat he had to go back in the hospital!! Loved your post as always!! Take care xo Leslie
ReplyDeleteI need to watch the movie and then look back at this post. Its raining here today, so this sounds like a great thing to do today.
ReplyDeleteSharon,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you and your son are home and finally resting ~ wishing a speedy recovery.
These photos make me want to see the movie! What an amazing home and the property is gorgeous. The arches throughout the home are wonderful.
leslie
How scary for you Sharon and exhausting! Glad to hear he is home and doing better. This house is lovely - beautiful arches and beams everywhere which are always so romantic!
ReplyDeleteI am happy to hear you son is doing better. As I may have told you, my son had the same experience in his early teens and I know how scary it can be.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to see this post. I loved the book (not the movie, which, I thought, trivialized her story) and I named my home Bramasole -- not because it was run down (It was new), but because Bramasole means "yearn for the sun." I was moving from NY to Florida and yearn I did. The house seems to be done to a fair-thee-well, and although I miss the crumbly look of the old house, I am sure Frances Mayes does not. It looks more California than Tuscany on the exterior now, but that is where she comes from and, perhaps, it is the aesthetic she prefers. I think the interior pays homage to the Tuscan spirit, however, with brick walls, stone floors and those beautiful beamed ceilings. All in all, I think it is fabulous.
Best...Victoria
Oh this is ALL so very beautiful! I loved the movie and I love this house! I'm so sorry that happened to your son! The same thing happened to my husband years ago and it was awful! So glad to hear he is doing better! Thanks for sharing this wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn Bradford
So glad your son is better! How scary! The previous post made me very homesick for South Africa! Beautiful post. This post is gorgeous. What a house!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Jacqui
Eastbourne UK
Très beau ...
ReplyDeleteI love especially the kitchen ... !
Excellente soirée
While this house is beautiful I'm with you it seems to be missing something that was in the movie. I liked the oddly place tap in the hall that she smacked into unfortunately probably just a prop.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your son is recovering I feel for the little guy and needing to go back into the hospital. I hope he's well on the road to recovery and so is Mom.
I'm off to watch the movie again "Under the Tuscan Sun"!
XX
Debra~
First off, Thank God your son is getting better...
ReplyDeleteAnd, I have to say I agree with you about Bramasole.
It seems to have lost so much of its character in the renovation.
Although, it is still quite beautiful.
Best wishes for your son Sharon, so glad to hear he is getting better! I re-watched 'Under the Tuscan Sun' only a couple of days ago... so was thrilled to see your post! Love the gorgeous sunlight, the texture of the stonework & beautiful warm terracotta floors. I could very happily live there...
ReplyDeletex Kerry
I'm sorry to read about your son. But good to know that he is recovering well.
ReplyDeleteJust started following your blog today and was thrilled to see "Bramasole" since I watched "Under the Tuscan Sun" a few nights ago. Right now I am in the middle of "Every Day in Tuscany". This is my third summer to read it. I am so living through it until I can visit someday.(...dreamy...)In this book Francis discusses if a complete remodel would change the charm of the place. I guess she deceided to go for it, and it is beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletegreb2006