Rochester Hills couple creates a home with old-world ambiance

Rochester Hills and Tuscany Villas-- a centuries-old region of Italy that is two-thirds rolling hills: Each boasts a hilly landscape, but that's where the similarity starts and ends, unless you're Bob and Linda Viazanko.

"We really wanted an older European look, primarily Italian, in our new home," says Linda Viazanko, who works with her husband of 27 years in his Rochester Hills-based Viazanko Construction Services business. "We've never been to Italy, but Bob, especially, wanted a traditional Tuscan feel in this home."

Bella is the best word to describe the 5,400-square-foot home with its 2,500-square-foot walk-out lower level in a hilly subdivision with sprawling lots, a pond and wildlife that includes frisky deer.

From rustic Tuscan villas to Spanish Colonial haciendas to chic French chateaus, American homeowners have embraced old-world ambience in recent years, and interior designer David Naylor explains why.

“The continuing popularity of old-world style is about more than just antiques and Europhilia," Naylor writes in his 2008 book, "Old World Interiors" (Gibbs Smith, $40).

"What makes this aesthetic so appealing is its underlying spirit of fine craftsmanship, dedicated artistry and high-quality materials."

The 2003 movie "Under the Tuscan Sun," based on Frances Mayes' book and starring Diane Lane, helped romantize the look, too.

While the Viazankos' home is still new -- the couple have been in the house for less than two years -- it feels as if it's been in place for decades, thanks in large part to the craftsmanship, materials (limestone, wrought iron, granite), one-of-a-kind murals and fine furnishings (new, not antique) that will become tomorrow's heirlooms. Linda Viazanko and her interior designer, Pamela Sape of Gorman's Lakeside location, took Homestyle for a recent home tour.

Homestyle: Talk about a drop-dead gorgeous vaulted entry with a curving wood staircase, wrought-iron chandelier, limestone floor and two-story mural.

Viazanko: We really love the way our murals turned out. Gorman's muralist Dolores Anetrini painted several murals and wall sayings for us throughout the house. We asked for Italian-inspired hilly landscapes with architecture, and she did a quick pencil sketch and then worked on each mural for seven to eight days.

Tell me about the home's color scheme, which seems to glow even in the daylight.

Sape: Bob and Linda wanted soft, warm, welcoming interiors in an earthy palette of bronzy-browns, golds, reds and greens.

And the furnishings?

Sape: Most of them came from Gorman's, including the living room's Sherrill sofa and armless chairs, Henredon swivel chairs and Paul Roberts leather cocktail table. The breakfast room's table, chairs and counter stools are from Vanguard. The formal dining room table and chairs are by Century, and the buffet is by Artstica.

Viazanko: My husband likes to shop online, too. He found a leather tray for an ottoman and a wine barrel online, and then inscribed our name on them.

What are your favorite spaces?

Viazanko: I love the terrace with its fireplace off the kitchen. I do love the dining room, too, in particular the crystal chandelier from Great Lakes Lighting.

Vacation Rental Tuscany

Source Link :- http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090110/OPINION03/901100301

Villa clients look for privacy,flexibility and value in 2009

Four CV Travel brochures, featuring the Greek Islands, Italy, France and Spain, Balearics & Portugal, reflect the continued interest in holidays close to home, with many loyal CV clients re-booking the same Tuscany Villas and regions each year and new clients discovering CV’s enviable reputation as the UK’s leading provider of individual and exclusive houses.

Debbie Marshall, CV Travel’s MD, said “We have continued to expand the number and choice of villas we are offering in 2009, mainly because we are confident of the high repeat business that CV Travel has attracted over the past 37 years and the value of referrals in the present climate. In times of economic uncertainty, villa holidays can work out very cost-effectively, as well as affording flexibility and privacy. And we are also sure that in an uncertain market, people will revert to what they know and trust”.

A key new destination for 2009 is the beautiful contrasting island of Corsica to our France portfolio. CV has also added new properties in Spain’s Sotogrande region, Italy’s Puglia and new exclusive villas on Corfu’s north east coast.

CV GREEK ISLANDS

CV Travel’s name has long been associated with Corfu’s most sought-after villas, many benefitting from the enchanting view across the bay to Albania’s mountains. Among the finest new properties for 2009 is Kaparelli House, owned by the same architect responsible for the restoration of the Rou Estate, the north east coast’s renowned, restored 200 year old village, exclusively available through CV. Kaparelli House sleeps up to 9 guests and individual features include an outdoor Jacuzzi bath on the terrace from the master bedroom.

On Lefkada and Kefalonia, CV Travel has introduced new villas, including Villa Cercis on Lefkada named after the magenta-blossomed Judas trees, and Villa Zoe on Kefalonia, located on the forest-clad hillside in the hamlet of Evreti. On the much-loved island of Paxos, Villa Bougazi has a lovely balcony overlooking sweeping views of the sea.

CV TRAVEL FRANCE

Included for the first time in the CV Travel France collection is the island of Corsica, where holidays can be enjoyed either as a single destination, or as a two centre holiday with properties in the South of France, transferring via the overnight ferry. Direct flights from the UK have made Corsica more accessible, yet the island retains its exclusivity with properties such as the unique Domaine du Murtolli in southern Corsica, a private estate of eleven individual properties, with a private beach, lawned grounds and private pools, set between scenic mountains and the sea.

CV TRAVEL SPAIN, BALEARICS & PORTUGAL

On a hillside in the Guadiaro valley near Sotogrande, a new region for CV Travel in 2009 on mainland Spain, is Cortijo de la Virgen, an exceptionally private house with the feel of an English country home and the looks of a traditional Andalucian farmhouse.

In Ibiza, the addition of Villa Thalassa, an ultra modern villa, continues the island’s move towards an increase in exclusive and contemporary villas, to balance its former party reputation, while in Mallorca Ca’n Canonge, a monumental house of vast proportions in an acre of grounds with a tennis court and private pool, is a welcome return to CV’s collection of larger houses for groups or extended families.

CV ITALY

Tuscany and Umbria continue to be popular with British guests, while Puglia, new to the CV Travel programme in 2006, has attracted a following among clients looking for new areas of Italy to explore. CV Travel has also added new villas on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, both of which have grown considerably in popularity in recent years.

Mulino del Pita, a new property for 2009, is an historic watermill set by the trout-ringed Ania river in a peaceful valley in the Garfagnana region of Tuscany, surrounded by acres of protected countryside. The property comprises the main mill house, for 10 guests, and the Shepherd’s Cottage, sleeping two.

Original art deco features contrast with contemporary Italian design at the Palazzo Tre Cuori in Puglia, another new property for 2009, set in a walled lawned garden a short walk away from the vibrant small town of Salve. This elegant palazzo’s spacious rooms each have cool marble floors and are stylishly furnished while the first floor terraces look out to the palm trees beside the open sea.

Vacation Rental Tuscany

Source Link :-http://www.ukprwire.com/Detailed/Travel_Tourism/Villa_clients_look_for_privacy_flexibility_and_value_in_2009_29744.shtml

During the boom economy it was hard enough to climb onto the real estate ladder to buy a first home, let alone a vacation property with an ocean view or ski-slope access. But the economic crisis has brought a bit of sunshine for investors who in the recent past have been priced out of top markets like Verbier, the Riviera, Tuscany Villas and the Caribbean."There are more properties coming onto the market than we have seen for a very long time," says Alexander Kraft,CEO of Sotheby's International Realty in France. "And there are great deals to be had."

That's fantastic news for people like me. Last spring, standing on a cliff overlooking some of the more extraordinary villas near Es Cubells beach in Ibiza, I promised myself that one day I was going to own a vacation home. Maybe it would be on one of the enchanting Balearic Islands, or possibly in south Florida—Miami or Naples—where hot weather is guaranteed most of the year (though the charming hills of the Scottish Highlands and the desolate islands off Croatia have also stirred my heart).

At the time, I did not think I could begin to look at options until several years down the line.But now, with the market for second homes softening fast, even freelance journalists like me can start realistically toying with the idea. I've got my eye on the stunning Zen Vida property in Majorca, which boasts five bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, three al fresco dining areas and a designer kitchen, as well as spectacular views of the Bay of Palma. Then again, it's tough to pass up Théole-sur-Mer, the estate built in 1925 on a private peninsula near Cannes by the architect Barry Dierks, which offers an infinity pool and direct diving into the Mediterranean. (Both are offered through www.savills.co.uk/abroad; prices are available upon application.)

Marc Cohen, director of Ledbury Research, the London-based luxury consultancy, says that those who would normally not be able to afford a second home may gain the most from the global economic downturn. "The second-home market has suffered considerably," he says. "If there is an active buyer, the type will have changed from the typical 65-year-old retiree who has sold his business or retired from a high-salaried job to one who is much younger who has seen this become more of an opportunity."

Vacation Rentals Tuscany

Source Link :- http://www.newsweek.com/id/177689

The Villa Book Introduces the Credit Crunch Villa Book 2009

Interviewed in a recent article in the Financial Times, London, Viva the Villa, Villa Book director, Edward Marquis, confirmed that in these difficult economic times, there are plenty of signs already that holidaymakers are opting for a villa holiday over a hotel holiday. In fact, over the last few months, The Villa Book has seen a marked increase in enquiries for summer 2009. There is no doubt that for a family or group of friends, or often even for a couple, the price of a villa is considerably less than a hotel holiday, and also offers the advantages of more spacious accommodation inside and outside, a private location, swimming pool, flexibility with meals, to name but a few. Villa holidays have become so much more service orientated over the years, and The Villa Book can provide supplementary services on request at most of their properties, ranging from maid and chef service to chauffeur services, cooking lessons and on-site security guards, meaning that it some cases a stay in a villa can almost be the equivalent of staying in your own private hotel.

With over 1000 properties, most of which have been viewed personally by one of The Villa Book team, the company was aware that the less expensive villas were not immediately apparent to the web browser, particularly for their larger destinations, such as Provence and Tuscany Villas. Anticipating an increase in demand for those properties, and wanting to show that, in spite of having a wide selection of villas at the luxury end, they do also feature a large number of beautiful properties which are much more affordable, The Villa Book has just launched The Credit Crunch Villa Book. This part of the website encompasses all their European villas which rent for under €80 per person per night during high season. The selection has been made on the basis of full occupancy of the villa, and these villas can also still be found under their various country destinations on the website.

Vacation Rentals Tuscany

Source Link :- http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1807124.htm