Exceptional family home and writers' retreat in central Florence

Attention: Please write me a message here BEFORE requesting an actual booking. This is our beloved family home, not an anonymous rental, so we can only entrust it to those who are sure to respect and care for it. Personal communication is essential.

Stay in Florence as a Florentine! Our gorgeous family home is perfectly located, far from tourists but near everything. Architect-designed, renovated over the winter 2022-23, it is large, high-ceilinged and high-windowed, quiet, airy and bright, stylish and cosy. It overlooks trees on one side, and houses, gardens and hills on the other. There are thousands of books, and a desk in each room - a perfect writing retreat. There is also a planted, covered terrace, ideal for the warm months.

It is an exceptional, bright, airy and quiet space, set on the high second floor of an elegant 19th-century building - with elevator - at the heart of Firenze Capitale, off the beaten touristic track but just a few minutes from all sites. It is next to the wonderful Sant'Ambrogio market, where Florentines shop, and to a large number of excellent restaurants. It is set on a sought-after public green square (rare in Florence) with a playground.

The flat is large enough to accommodate even two families sharing if so wished, or a group of friends. The bright, double-sized living room has north-facing windows looking out over the trees of the square. You will find here many books in many languages, an excellent piano, a large-screen smart TV and sound system, a large cosy sofa and armchairs. A large bedroom next to it has the same tree-top view. It has a desk and more books, and features a comfortable, hand-made double bed. The master bedroom, on the other side of the flat, has a beautifully designed en-suite bathroom, windowed, with both bathtub and walk-in shower. The other bathroom, windowed as well, has a large walk-in shower, and houses the laundry-room. It is next to the large, also north-facing kids' living room, which is double-height: a mezzanine serves as one of the childrens' bedrooms, with one single bed. On the ground level there are many childrens' books and games, as well as two desks. A smaller room, with a desk as well, is used as another child's room, with another single bed. Said kitchen is extremely well-equipped, notably with a 6-burner Ilve range, and eat-in: it has an island and serves also as the welcoming dining room, with a table that comfortably seats 8 people. Please note that the mezzanine in the kids' room is not gated, and therefore could be a hazard for toddlers.

The terrace is covered so can be used even during the day, as it is protected from direct sunlight. It has a large table that can seat up to 10 people. There are plentiful herbs which you are free to use if you wish. There is also automatic irrigation so you need not worry about watering the plants. Terrace, kitchen and master bedroom face south-east and feature a beautiful view over the gardens below, old houses, and the Tuscan hills beyond.

There is a/c, but cross-ventilation, thick walls and high ceilings ensure that it is rarely necessary (all the better given the financial and environmental cost of its excessive use). The windows have mosquito screens, so one can safely open them on a summer evening. Floors throughout are wooden (except for the bathrooms, which feature colourful tiles), and all mattresses are organic. Decor combines modern design, warm colours, and Moroccan and Indian textiles.

This flat is a haven, and a perfect writing retreat. From here you will discover what it is like to actually live in this magical city, one that has always attracted foreigners who, like us, decided to settle here.