What an exciting project! I'm sure it's a ton of work, but I hope you're having fun with it. Personally, I think it's a nice touch to have a little booklet or something with the owner's personal recommendations for restaurants and things to do in the area. You might consider printing some of your lovely guides, like your foodie guides to Florence, Siena, etc.
Do your guests brew their own coffee or go to the village for it? I would like the ability to brew my own morning cup. But that is just me. Love the whole idea.
Yes! We will provide a moka pot and some coffee, as the village we’re in (15 houses and nothing more) does not have a coffee place. If I want an espresso, I knock on my my father’s door! 🤣
Goodness, I wanted to see your grandmother’s aqua Pyrex teapot, box grater, and napkin holder, and mostly come for lunch on Thursday. What lovely memories.
This is really so exciting—what a wonderful thing. I hope there is a photo of Marcella on the wall ❤️
That little sitting area in the garden is a dream!
Things that make me happy in rentals:
In the kitchen: a moka pot (not some crazy electric device!), a tea kettle (electric or stove top), a few decent pans and sharp knives (honestly we usually bring a knife!)
Tea and coffee, a few basic spices, sugar or honey. Directions for the hob or anything else if it’s quirky (I once spent ages trying to turn the stove on only to find it was locked!)
Elsewhere—A comfortable place to sit. (Strange how many rentals lack this!)
A convenient place to charge devices.
Options for soft lighting.
Extra bed pillows.
Oh and I really hope you decide on the sofa bed or some option for a third person. Michela is counting on it 🤩!
The photos and also all your lovely descriptions of times past and how you envision the future beyond the work in progress make me feel the care you've put into sharing this space. Bravo! I hope we could come visit some day.
We're definitely team firm, very firm pillows (when we drive places in France we take our own with us 😅), but I'm sure that soft is right for some people too.
What a fabulous idea! It's been over a year since we attended one of your cooking courses. We still cook regularly from the little book you made for the class. We would love to come back to stay and cook again. The peace of your little corner of Toscana would be the perfect icing on the torta!☺️
So happy you are doing this: it is a wonderful way to honor your grandmother and to share your beautiful home environment. My parents had a small second refuge in Rancho Mirage in the desert of Southern California, which my brother now holds. When I go back, I see the pots and pans I watched my mother cook with in my childhood, so each drawer and cupboard is a repository of beloved memories.
I also loved your pictures from the 45th birthday milestone and both Peg and I wish you all the best for many more decades. Spring with you was great, but perhaps we need summer or fall to help further our seasonal menu plans!
This sounds wonderful! I'd love to return to Tuscany and stay for a bit. A cooking class would be icing on the cake... Will look forward to hearing more. Much success!
This sounds so amazing! I hope I will be able to visit one day! As for homey touches, I am certainly biased, but I would hope for a sturdy bicycle or two that could be used to ride into the nearby villages rather than taking a car. 🚴♂️😊
This sounds lovely and very convenient for your cooking school. I love finding books where I am staying, often left by previous guests and I imagine they will build up over time. I am a tea drinker and while I know Italy is more of a coffee country a small selection of tea is always very welcome. Good luck with finishing the project.
This is such a wonderful idea and I love how it is a home away from home. When we visited we loved staying in homes that were an authentic way of living in Italy. What a beautiful way to carry on your Grandmother’s legacy. I agree that it’s the everyday small things that bring back memories. I kept my aunt’s everyday little butter knife and it always reminds me of her. We would definitely love to stay there. I agree with others who mentioned a booklet of recommendations and a Moka pot or coffee brewer to have coffee in the mornings. We love being able to shop and enjoy life as it moves about in your small town. Good luck! Lisa
What an exciting project! I'm sure it's a ton of work, but I hope you're having fun with it. Personally, I think it's a nice touch to have a little booklet or something with the owner's personal recommendations for restaurants and things to do in the area. You might consider printing some of your lovely guides, like your foodie guides to Florence, Siena, etc.
Yes! We will be printing our guides for the house. I always love when I find recommendations from the hosts!
Do your guests brew their own coffee or go to the village for it? I would like the ability to brew my own morning cup. But that is just me. Love the whole idea.
Yes! We will provide a moka pot and some coffee, as the village we’re in (15 houses and nothing more) does not have a coffee place. If I want an espresso, I knock on my my father’s door! 🤣
Goodness, I wanted to see your grandmother’s aqua Pyrex teapot, box grater, and napkin holder, and mostly come for lunch on Thursday. What lovely memories.
I’ll make sure to post a picture soon!
When I rent a place for a holiday, I always check the lighting especially beside the beds. And you already know how important that is. Wonderful idea!
I’ll make sure they provide enough light to read a book at night
This is really so exciting—what a wonderful thing. I hope there is a photo of Marcella on the wall ❤️
That little sitting area in the garden is a dream!
Things that make me happy in rentals:
In the kitchen: a moka pot (not some crazy electric device!), a tea kettle (electric or stove top), a few decent pans and sharp knives (honestly we usually bring a knife!)
Tea and coffee, a few basic spices, sugar or honey. Directions for the hob or anything else if it’s quirky (I once spent ages trying to turn the stove on only to find it was locked!)
Elsewhere—A comfortable place to sit. (Strange how many rentals lack this!)
A convenient place to charge devices.
Options for soft lighting.
Extra bed pillows.
Oh and I really hope you decide on the sofa bed or some option for a third person. Michela is counting on it 🤩!
We are slowly building a wall full of photos of the house and of the people who lived there! So nonna Marcella will be there! ❤️
And yes to all the other items, I consider them essential, too!
I cannot tell you the comedy of errors our last trip, just trying to make a coffee 😂🤦🏻♀️. I hate those Nespresso machines with a passion.
Ahahah! no no, it will be a simple moka pot and a ta kettle. Less is more! :P
Making an already absolutely magical place even more special. How lovely!
Thank you, Lolly! I hope to welcome you soon!
🤗🤗🤗
The photos and also all your lovely descriptions of times past and how you envision the future beyond the work in progress make me feel the care you've put into sharing this space. Bravo! I hope we could come visit some day.
We're definitely team firm, very firm pillows (when we drive places in France we take our own with us 😅), but I'm sure that soft is right for some people too.
Thank you you much, Kathy! Yes, we’ll make sure to offer both pillows, a good rest is essential to enjoy a relaxed holiday
That's true, but just being in a restful place like you're creating is so nice.
What a lovely place Giulia! I would love to come🥰
Come!!
What a fabulous idea! It's been over a year since we attended one of your cooking courses. We still cook regularly from the little book you made for the class. We would love to come back to stay and cook again. The peace of your little corner of Toscana would be the perfect icing on the torta!☺️
It would be lovely to welcome you again, Jen, and how lovely to know you are still cooking those recipes
Giulia and Tommaso,
So happy you are doing this: it is a wonderful way to honor your grandmother and to share your beautiful home environment. My parents had a small second refuge in Rancho Mirage in the desert of Southern California, which my brother now holds. When I go back, I see the pots and pans I watched my mother cook with in my childhood, so each drawer and cupboard is a repository of beloved memories.
I also loved your pictures from the 45th birthday milestone and both Peg and I wish you all the best for many more decades. Spring with you was great, but perhaps we need summer or fall to help further our seasonal menu plans!
I would definitely suggest Fall rather than Summer. Much much MUCH more enjoyable!
This sounds wonderful! I'd love to return to Tuscany and stay for a bit. A cooking class would be icing on the cake... Will look forward to hearing more. Much success!
Thank you Kathleen! We hope to welcome you soon!
This sounds so amazing! I hope I will be able to visit one day! As for homey touches, I am certainly biased, but I would hope for a sturdy bicycle or two that could be used to ride into the nearby villages rather than taking a car. 🚴♂️😊
Ah! That is interesting! We are 8 km from the closest villages, but we will be thinking about it. Good tip!
This sounds lovely and very convenient for your cooking school. I love finding books where I am staying, often left by previous guests and I imagine they will build up over time. I am a tea drinker and while I know Italy is more of a coffee country a small selection of tea is always very welcome. Good luck with finishing the project.
You just reminded me that I need to add tea as well! I love tea, too, so I’ll make sure to include some good tea or herbal infusions.
This is such a wonderful idea and I love how it is a home away from home. When we visited we loved staying in homes that were an authentic way of living in Italy. What a beautiful way to carry on your Grandmother’s legacy. I agree that it’s the everyday small things that bring back memories. I kept my aunt’s everyday little butter knife and it always reminds me of her. We would definitely love to stay there. I agree with others who mentioned a booklet of recommendations and a Moka pot or coffee brewer to have coffee in the mornings. We love being able to shop and enjoy life as it moves about in your small town. Good luck! Lisa
I do hope next time we will be able to host you here, Lisa!
What a lovely place! I’d love to come cook with you some day!
Fingers crossed it will happen soon!
I would love to visit whenever it’s available. It’s a fantastic idea, buona fortuna. É bellissima.
I hope the welcome you soon!