When we bought our house in Castiglione d’Orcia we never imagined that we’d be so welcomed and befriended by the neighbors. Where we used to travel to Italy to see incredible views and drink good[…]

This year, for the first time, we offered a painting scholarship to an artist who wanted to experience the beauty of our region of Tuscany. For two weeks Providence RI based Lelia Byron painted and[…]

Above, the western view from the upper terrace. Renovations will soon begin in the garden at Casa Castigliana. I spoke with our “muratore” Stefano, who did the beautiful work inside the house last year, and[…]

  Although I’m not there at the moment, I am delighted to hear from neighbors and on facebook that there are a few new businesses in the village. Joe and I have been saying for[…]

Each time I visit France I have a list of must-buy items, which, while they may be available in the States, are much more expensive there. Take Caudalie moisturizers for example, here I pay 19[…]

When I come to the Clocktower Cottage I am always tweaking. Trying to amp up the cute and cozy, while preserving the ancient and enduring. Today I hit the shops in Bergerac (Casa, Gifi and[…]

Our timing has been perfect. In tune with the light at the end of day. We start dinner under the rosy castle, lit by the fading sun, then, as the courses proceed and the wine[…]

http://www.lcweekly.com/rants-a-raves/4752-abroad Read Margaret Evans’ account of her recent trip to Italy, stopping first for a week at our place.

The house has been done for a few months now and all of our time inside is spent as if we are truly residents here. We cook. We eat. We hang pictures. There’s laundry and[…]