An exquisite country estate set in the fashionable medieval hill town of Cetona, owned by Giancarlo Giammetti, lifelong partner of internationally renowned fashion designer Valentino, has been launched on the market.
The estate, built in 1750 with 11 hectares of parkland, was completely restored around 20 years ago by Giammetti and Valentino, who commissioned two of Italy’s renowned design talents – interior designer, Renzo Mongiardino, and leading Italian landscape architect Paolo Peirone, to create a stylish retreat.
Mongiardino designed dramatic and highly decorative interiors, reflecting his roots as a set designer on films such as Zeffirelli’s The Taming of the Shrew. Mongiardino’s signature theatrical style, rich in atmosphere and classical grandeur, runs throughout the elegant and formal reception rooms, dining rooms, library, kitchen, study and billiards room. There are 11 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms, fitness suite with gym, sauna, classical pool with pool house, and flower rooms. In the grounds are the delightful ‘casina turca’ round dining room and ‘casina svizzera’, two inside out spaces for entertaining. There are numerous staff and service areas, three garages and several storerooms and other outbuildings.
In the extensive gardens and grounds, landscape architect Paolo Peirone created manicured lawns, summer houses and formal areas. The beautiful parkland encompasses olive groves and orchards, an Etruscan tomb, 200 seat amphitheatre, hunting lodge and grottos with stalactites and stalagmites.
Giammetti and Valentino chose the house because of its position in Cetona, while enjoying the complete privacy it offered from the high-octane world of haute couture, with its grounds extending across the countryside and hill beyond the town. Now, spending most of their time in New York and London, they no longer require their divine hideaway in Tuscany.
Ann-Marie Doyle, of Venice Sotheby’s Realty, says: ‘The villa is an exquisite example of 18th century architecture. Its history has now evolved under the ownership of Italy’s greatest fashion designer and his partner. They have showcased the creativity and skills of two of the country’s greatest forces in interior design and landscape design. The estate offers a rare opportunity for a connoisseur to buy an estate that reflects Italy’s pre-eminence in the worlds of 20th century fashion, interior and landscape architecture.’
Price on application through Venice Sotheby’s Realty (www.venicesothebysrealty.com)
