Mr & Mrs Smith

Like a fairytale sleeping beauty, this traditional trullo lay forgotten for 30 years, its gardens overgrown into a Puglian wilderness, its fruit trees and olive groves neglected. Owners Mel and Simon are the white knights in this story; they bought the property from a local builder in 2009, and transformed a dwelling without doors, windows and even a hint of luxury into a super-stylish and comfortable Puglian paradise. Of course, the trullo has nature on its side, surrounded by rich Italian countryside; and character and history built into its very stones.

Mel and Simon’s achievement is their sympathetic restoration of this building; managing to both maintain its original personality and features, while adding a very modern, very urban breed of style to its interiors. Rooms have all the swagger of an east London cocktail bar, stocked with Eames and Philippe Starck furniture and Kartell Ferruccio Laviani lighting. Shots of colour as bright as boiled sweets add warmth to the stone-walled bedrooms, and mismatched chairs and carefully selected art add interest to the living areas. There’s also a generosity of spirit here (just look at the welcome hamper of local nibbles), and an attention to the art of having a good time: there’s a tepee and trampoline, bundles of toys and games and an outdoor pool with a party-perfect outdoor sound system. From time-ravished ruin to hip hideaway, Trullo Fico sparkles – fresh from the ultimate modern makeover.