After a frantic week of lugging furniture around, painting, panicking and waxing and panicking again we can finally exhale.
The back apartment is finished and furnished, our first guests have come and gone and here are the 'after' photographs we promised. Sorry to have kept you waiting for a week but, to be fair, we have been waiting for nearly 2 years!
The sitting room and kitchen
The small bedroom
The big bedroom
The details
Of course we can't afford to slow down yet as there is still the front apartment and the studio to finish but they are oh-so-nearly there.
I'll post the results as soon as they are ready with maybe a little break for carnevale inbetween.
Have faith, we'll get there in the end...
The best thing I ate today:
You must be joking! No time for cooking, eating or sleeping!
Amazing!! and so inspiring. Thank you for posting pictures. I enjoy them like you don't imagine. I live in the States and I'm planning on making my backyard as close to a Tuscan garden as I possibly can. Thank you for having this blog and being such an inspiration to me. Someday I will make it to Tuscany, I know in my heart I will. Take care and keep enjoying your passion. A friend in the U.S.
Posted by: Patty Pelayo | April 09, 2009 at 06:40 PM
This is a truly amazing transformation, I don't know how I missed this post!!
You should be very very proud, its beautiful!!
Posted by: Anne A | April 02, 2009 at 11:04 PM
AMAZING! I am so incredibly jealous!
Posted by: BriefHiatus | March 27, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Meraviglioso! I love what you have done here. Thank you for including the photos...you can almost see the stories peel away from the walls and settle in the rubble as you bare and rebirth them. Such a transformation that could only have surfaced through your toil and vission...and another story is born to its history....your story.
Posted by: janet morrow | March 23, 2009 at 01:25 AM
This is amazing!! Congratulations on all your hard working coming to such a beautiful fruition! I just found your blog and I will definitely be keeping up with what you are doing! Bravo!
xo Isa
Posted by: Isa | March 06, 2009 at 05:33 PM
Hello, Julian and Mandy--
You lived through all the dust, sweat, difficulties, mistakes and compromises, and see the entire history when you look around. Out here, we only see the miraculous transformation, the warm gift you have made for those us lucky enough to visit your journal or in person. It's remarkable how true to the spirit of Italy you have remained as you modernize and fit your lives into such an ancient culture. Best wishes to you, may your school and inn prosper, and thank you for your story and your creation.
Mike O'Brien
Portland Oregon
Posted by: Mike O'Brien | March 03, 2009 at 06:31 PM
Just beautiful!! Am bowing to your amazing talents and sweat and perseverance!!
Posted by: stephanie | March 03, 2009 at 05:36 PM
Oh how gorgeous! Anyone would be lucky to stay there.
Posted by: Aimee | March 03, 2009 at 07:22 AM
This is heaven on earth....except for the no time to eat thing.
What you did is truly extraordinary. I look forward to staying there one day.
Posted by: karen cole | February 27, 2009 at 02:56 AM
Gorgeous, guys! really beautiful :)
Posted by: maryann | February 27, 2009 at 12:15 AM
I'm blown away! I can't believe the change since I saw it last! You have achieved so, so much! It's beautiful!
Posted by: Caroline | February 26, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Lo sapevo che i risultati sarebbero stati questi!Ah...se ci fossero più inglesi, l'Italia sarebbe migliore!LOL
Posted by: Lorenza | February 26, 2009 at 07:38 PM
It's all so beautiful, so incredibly beautiful. Your love, your faith in the future, your talent and a bit of magic have come together to make something completely individual, tasteful, warm, inviting, and genuine. My heart is full of happiness for you. I know you know that we know what it all takes, what it all means, and what is all costs, intrinsically and extrinsically.
Auguri. Complimenti. Wonderful. Just simply that.
Posted by: [email protected] | February 26, 2009 at 11:59 AM
You are rightfully proud of yourselves. What an endeavour! Just lovely.
Posted by: Scintilla | February 26, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Cara Amanda,
I say... you have worked wonders! What a gorgeous place to stay. Full of ambiente, carefully restored! Complimenti! Bacione, Ingrid
Posted by: Vita Lenta nel Bel Paese | February 25, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Looks fantastic,you did all that work without my help.
Posted by: Stuart | February 24, 2009 at 07:43 PM
BRAVI! Looks gorgeous you two! :)
Posted by: Megan in Liguria | February 24, 2009 at 12:11 PM
bellissima!
I love your style.
Posted by: nyc/caribbean ragazza | February 23, 2009 at 06:53 PM
Great job! Beautiful.
Posted by: casalba | February 23, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Bravi! I think the end results more than justify the long, and I'm sure stressful!, process
Posted by: Barbara | February 23, 2009 at 09:23 AM
It's so beautiful! Your guests must have loved their stay. The chandelier is gorgeous, and it looks great in that room.
Posted by: Francesca | February 23, 2009 at 07:19 AM
Absolutely stunning and amazing! You should both be incredibly proud of your achievements thus far!
Posted by: MsGourmet | February 23, 2009 at 02:33 AM
WOW!!!! you should be so proud of yourselves, it is absolutely lovely and amazing. Bravo!
Posted by: jill | February 22, 2009 at 11:27 PM
you guys have great taste Amanda! it's so inviting.
Posted by: joe@italyville | February 22, 2009 at 11:14 PM
OH MY GOSH!!! This is WONDERFUL!!!! I can't believe it...what a difference. Love it.
Posted by: erin :: the olive notes | February 22, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Amazing, stunning, what can I say!!
Well done, such a big job..:-)
Posted by: anne | February 22, 2009 at 08:43 PM
Speechless for the moment as need to have another look at all the little details etc, but awesome and amazing are already on my lips, bravo, bravi, bacci, well done you
xxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: ali | February 22, 2009 at 08:24 PM