Living La Dolce Vita: Aussie couple revives historic Italian palazzo – realestate.com.au

The appeal of a permanent slice of ‘la dolce vita’ is undeniable: enjoying an aperitivo on a rooftop terrace overlooking a bustling square, cobbled streets where centuries of history whisper through the shadows, and the sound of church bells mixing with the heavenly ‘pop’ of wine corks.

For Melbourne native Nancy De Losa, this dream was a long-held one, coincidentally shared by her now husband, Damian.

“I met my husband in early 2012 and within hours of meeting we were both talking about our dream of one day living in Italy,” she told realestate.com.au of the ill-fated union.

But the love for Italy was not the only passion the couple shared. In addition to an appreciation for all things Italian, both Nancy and Damian were crazy cyclists. Bringing these interests together led to the pair becoming partners in both life and business with the launch of A’qto – an Italian boutique bike tour company, organizing immersive experiences along Italy’s most beautiful routes – in 2015.

After years of staying in Gaiole for work – a village in Tuscany’s Chianti region known for its wine, landscapes and beautiful surroundings full of castles and parish churches – the couple had built up established friends and business relationships.

“We loved the region, the landscapes, the cycling, the history and the story of L’Eroica – a famous cycling event born in the city – and the people,” she explained.

The couple launched a boutique bike touring company a decade ago. Image: supplied.

---

“We decided that this was where we wanted to locate both our home and our business. It was a pretty quick decision, one that even surprised us because we always thought we would be buying on the coast, but it just felt right.”

Conveniently, when looking for their own Tuscan estate, they didn’t have to look far. “Our Italian palazzo found us!” said Mrs. De Losa.

“When we decided that Gaiole was where we wanted to buy a house, a good friend who owned an entire three-storey palazzo in the city center offered us the opportunity to buy one floor.

An unrenovated floor of this 900-year-old palazzo met all the couple’s requirements. Image: supplied.

---

“Although we had originally thought we would be making the ‘typical’ purchase of a small Tuscan house in the countryside, when we saw the property we realized that being in the heart of the city, close to cafes and bars and immersed in the daily unfolding of local life, was absolutely the lifestyle we wanted.”

The more than 900-year-old palazzo, steeped in history and owned by their friend’s family for more than a century, offered a choice: a fully renovated upper level with a balcony, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, or an unrenovated middle level with a garden, a blank canvas for their creative vision.

“The garden and the bicycle shed were priorities,” says Ms De Losa.

Beneath these walls lie centuries of history. Image: supplied.

---

“We had the idea of ​​creating an outdoor oasis, a private retreat where we could relax and entertain. But the real challenge was renovating an almost abandoned property, a huge job that we had not initially anticipated. Fortunately, our friends and the local community were incredibly supportive, offering their expertise and encouragement.”

Hiring an Italian lawyer, who masters both Italian and Australian law, proved to be an invaluable decision, streamlining the often complex process of valuation, negotiations and transfer.

The renovation, which began in 2019, was a massive undertaking, with the property being restored to its original stone walls and floorboards, revealing the 900-year-old wooden beams, known as ‘travi’, and the terracotta tiled ceilings, characteristic of traditional Tuscan architecture.

By Australian standards, the major internal renovation was completed in impressive time. Image: supplied.

---

“We basically rebuilt the interior,” she explained. “This included structural changes, opening doorways and arches to create a more fluid and open living space, creating two bathrooms from what was originally one, installing all-new electrical, gas and water systems, refurbishing the floor with traditional terracotta tiles, painstakingly restoring the old wooden beams and installing custom-designed bathrooms, kitchen and laundry.”

All this was completed in an impressive four months, a testament to the skill and dedication of the local craftsmen and builders.

“Our biggest surprise, or rather our biggest challenge, was that halfway through the renovation we discovered that we had to completely replaster all the walls,” she said. “Seeing the rough stone walls stripped of their plasterwork was a terrifying sight. We thought, ‘what have we bought here?!’ But it was resolved quickly.”

Local builders helped complete the renovation in just four months. Image: supplied.

---

The internal renovation was completed in October 2019, followed by the careful restoration of the Tuscan garden, with traditional stone walls, a shady pergola and a vibrant array of Mediterranean herbs and plants.

“It’s a beautiful outdoor space, a private oasis where we can relax and entertain during the warmer months,” she said.

The interior reflects a warm and inviting Tuscan aesthetic, with traditional materials such as terracotta tiled floors, wood and travertine tiled bathrooms and a carefully curated collection of antique furniture.

Antique pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries, combined with collected objects from their travels through Italy, create a welcoming and authentic atmosphere.

The house is decorated in Tuscan aesthetics and features traditional materials throughout. Image: supplied.

---

“The large arched windows overlooking the square are especially special,” she says enthusiastically.

“They frame the vibrant tapestry of local life, making us feel connected to the community. The sounds and smells of the city, the laughter of children playing, the animated conversations of locals all filter into our home and create a sense of belonging. And being able to go downstairs for an aperitivo with our favorite wine bar owner, Riccardo, is the epitome of ‘la dolce vita.’”

The palazzo has a dual purpose: a much-loved home and A’qto headquarters with dedicated spaces for an office and purpose-built bicycle and excursion storage.

“Having a base here has been a game changer for our business and has really been the catalyst for our continued growth,” said Ms De Losa.

The house also serves as the headquarters for the couple’s business. Image: supplied.

---

“It is truly idyllic to live here six months a year, travel through Italy and Europe and return to our welcoming community. We feel connected, embedded in the heart of Italian life.”

Nancy and her husband certainly don’t regret their gamble to buy a house in Italy. In fact, they are more certain than ever that the country will be their home indefinitely, for at least half the year.

“It was and remains a wonderful journey,” said the 54-year-old.

A modern view from a historic palazzo. Image: supplied.

---

“Our location, style of home and deep community connection provide us with the perfect setup. We are embedded in a growing and vibrant cycling region and community and positioned in one of the most beautiful wine regions and areas of Tuscany, if not Italy. It’s a beautiful lifestyle.

“Eventually we see ourselves owning a house on the coast and living a Mediterranean life by the sea. But for now, our Tuscan palazzo is perfect for this phase of our lives.”