Villa Conte

Set in the hills of Val d'Elsa, Villa Conte traces its origins to the 13th century, a cypress- and plane-tree-lined drive leading past clipped hedges to a cluster of historic stone buildings arranged around a gravel courtyard. A small stone chapel with its own bell tower stands apart on the grounds, its frescoed dome and altar preserved much as they've always been.

Inside, a grand salon holds gold damask walls beneath an ornately painted ceiling, antique paintings and a marble bust set against deep green velvet seating. Elsewhere, barrel-vaulted brick ceilings arch over more informal living rooms, teal velvet sofas and sisal rugs softening the centuries-old stonework. A game room nearby holds a full-size pool table beneath its own vaulted ceiling, and bedrooms carry painted wrought-iron bed frames alongside antique wood dressers.

Outside, a tennis court sits within the grounds, and a rectangular pool holds its position among cypress trees and urns spilling over with flowers. A covered stone archway shelters a long table for outdoor dining, while a separate garden gazebo offers its own shaded corner for quiet mornings. A converted stone outbuilding houses a fully equipped gym. The estate's centuries hold steady across its gardens and courtyards alike.