Villas of Florence and Tuscany (Classic Reprint)

Explore Tuscan villas in depth—from intimate courtyards to grand garden paradises. This illustrated guide reveals how Florence and Tuscany’s country houses fit into the land they occupy, with full context for their architecture, gardens, and daily life. Rich in historical detail, it helps you see beyond famous “sheer places” to the many smaller villas that reflect the region’s heart and charm.This edition examines a variety of estates, explaining how towers, courtyards, and farms come together to form complete, self-contained homes. It shows how gardens interact with the house, and how interiors, furnishings, and management reveal a slower, dignified way of life in the Tuscan countryside. You’ll discover how design evolved across periods and locales, from Baroque splendor to earlier forms.What you’ll experience- Thorough, villa-by-villa records that cover exterior form, plan, and interior spaces- Insights into gardens, water features, and how landscape and architecture align- Explanations of how different eras and regions around Florence, Siena, and Lucca shape each estate- Notes on materials, color, and distinctive touches like maiolica and stonework that define the lookIdeal for readers who love architecture, painting, garden design, and the everyday life of historic Tuscan homes. Read more