PART 126: It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way.
We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life!
We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then back again in the Spring, and in California for the rest of the time (in a previous blog, I explained why we live in Italy only part of the year).
Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we discover some gems worth sharing. Some of these are well-known tourist magnets; others are lesser known but always amazing.
Let's keep it close to home this week. Please accompany us on our house search in Tuscany, where we encounter lots of…shall we call them "Granny Houses"?
Step 2: I hope this week's blog doesn't come across as the rant of an ugly American. In fact, it's written with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor and I do not intend any disrespect. It is a humorous attempt to highlight differences.
So let's get straight to the point: Why do so many houses for sale in Italy look like they belong to Grandma?

I mean, doilies on the tables and lace drapes hanging in front of the windows? Not to mention the oversized sofas and chairs cramming small rooms, and the main room, which serves as both a living and dining space, dominated by a massive dining table with a sofa pushed against one wall and an ancient TV sitting on an old table across the room.
Now, let's examine the bedrooms in some of these houses. Huge wooden-framed beds take up most of the space, accompanied by large side tables, old-fashioned lamps that resemble vases, and bedspreads that seem to have been handed down for generations.
And what about the lighting fixtures?
Should I continue?
(This "rant" is tongue in cheek, for humor's sake. No disrespect.)
Step 3: I may be being a bit harsh, but many homes advertised on real estate websites—whether in Tuscany, Puglia, or other regions—often share a similar appearance.
Their common features can be summarized as an inefficient use of space combined with a design style reminiscent of a grandmother's taste.
Step 4: Why?
I am not sure why many real estate companies don't update the decor or remove some of the clutter before taking photos or showing the houses, especially in our price range.
I'm not judging how the real estate market operates in Italy compared to California; I just want to highlight the differences with a bit of humor.

And I can't help but chuckle at the doilies.
Step 5: Modernizing the space
Fortunately, the place we bought in Tuscany did not have Granny's decor, and we are grateful to the former owners!
Through our renovation process, we are learning how to modernize a traditional space while preserving its unique historical features.
Step 6: The living/dining room (soggiorno)
Many traditional houses we viewed in Italy have a soggiorno, essentially a combination of the kitchen, dining area, and living room. Typically, the dining room table dominates the space, with the kitchen set against one wall and a sofa pushed against another.
This layout gives the room a dated appearance, and we wanted the most important room in the house to feel modern and inviting.
We decided to transform the soggiorno primarily into a living room to achieve this. Since the house came unfurnished, we had the freedom to work with the room's dimensions from the start.

We installed a smaller, more modern kitchen against one wall. We opted for a midcentury modern vibe for the furniture and appliances and added a carpet to differentiate the living room area from the kitchen. After searching extensively, we found a collapsible dining table that could fit snugly against the wall. We plan to stain it the same shade as the exposed beam ceiling. We also updated the lighting and furnished the room with a small, comfortable sofa and a side chair.
The room features a large fireplace, but neither of us wanted to carry logs up and down the path. However, we were reluctant to give up the warmth and ambiance of a fire. Ultimately, we found an electric log unit that provides both a flame effect and heat when needed.
Once everything was finished, we stepped back and were amazed by how the room beautifully combined Tuscan charm with a modern feel.
Step 7: Bedrooms
Since our bedrooms already had a strong Tuscan feel, featuring wood beam ceilings and white plaster walls, we replaced the lighting fixtures with new ones with an industrial look, paired with Edison light bulbs. Thankfully, there were no doilies in sight. We also added modern wooden furniture, including dressers and nightstands, and selected a comforter reminiscent of the Swiss Alps.

We chose room-sized jute rugs for the bedroom floors that give the space a warm and contemporary atmosphere.
Step 8: Bathrooms
Italy is the center of sleek and modern kitchen and bathroom designs, so we opted for a modern aesthetic in both spaces. Rather than replacing the white wall tile in the main bathroom, we decided to embrace it. We created a white-tiled shower and paired it with a contemporary white vanity. We installed an industrial-style light fixture on the wooden ceiling to add an interesting contrast between historical Tuscany and modern European design.

Insights:
Our goal is to share our experiences, even though we are not experts. This blog aims to encourage home shoppers in Italy to look beyond dated decor and recognize a home's potential. It is possible to preserve the historic character of a purchased house while giving it a modern feel. Gradually, we aim to achieve that balance.
More next time.
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Another accurate and funny blog. Really I think it’s a blessing when the properties are unfurnished because it’s not easy disposing of stuff. Can you share where you found the rugs?
Thank you for presenting some different idea for decor. I do like the old fashioned style, but then, I am a Grandma! Haha! You are not and you should decorate in a manner that matches your personality and style.
Great post Mark but... "And I can't help but chuckle at the doilies". Mark, even though you purchased the property in Italy, you are still the guests over here. Be more respectful. No offense, Italians will always treat you differently. Good luck!