Our ideal holiday takes place around a big table with family and friends – a table full of delicious dishes made with local products, accompanied by a fine glass of wine from the nearby winemaker.
After renting such houses for several years, the dream arose to buy one ourselves: with a good kitchen, comfortable beds, and tasteful décor – and of course in our favorite region, Piedmont.
After a 2.5-year search, we finally found Casa Balau in a hamlet near Costigliole d’Asti. We fell in love with the stunning views over the rolling hills, surrounded by Barbera vineyards that, together with Barolo and Barbaresco, are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. We were equally charmed by the quiet little road behind the house, used only by a few neighbors and local winegrowers. The house itself had great potential, with a spacious kitchen (important!), a separate dining room, and a large living room. With 7 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, it was big enough to easily host two (large) families or groups of friends.
Our dream house, however, did need some tender loving care to transform it into a stylish holiday home: contemporary, comfortable, with a mix of new and vintage.
Thanks to the new kitchen with a SMEG stove and two large SMEG fridge-freezer combinations, it’s a joy to create the finest Italian dishes. And of course, the original pizza oven and new Bonfeu BBQ are there to complete the experience.
In summer, dining outside is a delight under the new pergola that runs the full length of the house. Later in the season, when it’s cooler, the long dining table in the cozy dining room awaits.
The surroundings are beautiful with endless excursions to make, but the house itself also has a lot to offer: the living room has been extended with a new second room featuring a projector, karaoke set, and dartboard. In the garage, you’ll also find a snooker table and football. On top of that, we’ve created a separate sauna space – perfect for ultimate relaxation.
We believe that good sleep is essential for a great holiday. That’s why all beds have brand-new Emma mattresses, quality duvets, and bed linen. Every bedroom has also been fitted with air conditioning.
We fully renovated the three oldest bathrooms and gave the other two a complete upgrade.
All rooms of the house have been restyled: after purchasing the property, we searched for beautiful old and new furniture, combined with stylish lamps, art, kilims, and other rugs. The result is warm and welcoming – and we’re very happy with it!
Outside, there was plenty to do as well. We removed an unattractive extension and metal staircase and installed a pergola along the entire back of the house, made by a local blacksmith. Covered with bamboo mats, it offers perfect shade. The house itself (with approval from UNESCO, as required in this region) was painted a lovely sand color with light grey/olive-green shutters. The garden will be our next project: we’ll create borders, plantings, and extra trees to shape a beautiful garden that fits the house, without obstructing the breathtaking view. The pool has also been upgraded with a new edge and transformed from a chlorine pool into a saltwater pool. With new parasols and sun loungers, the holiday can begin!