Inspirations

Villa Lena in Tuscany: A Remodelista Favorite, Revisited for 2023

Years ago, Alexa wrote about what would become the destination of all of our (collective) desire: Villa Lena, a “new kind of retreat”, hotel, and not-for-profit art foundation tucked within acres of olive groves and vineyards in Tuscany. (You can read Alexa’s original post, penned almost a decade ago, at A New Creative Hub (and Hotel) in Tuscany.)

Recently, we were reminded of Villa Lena when our friend, the Maine-based architect Jocie Dickson, mentioned she’d done an artist residency there. The rambling villa’s many old outbuildings, stables, and lodgings are constantly being rehabbed and redone, she reported—and we decided it was high time for a second glance.

Ready for an updated tour? Read on.

Photography via Villa Lena.

villa lena is located “in the heart of tuscany, between pisa and fl 14
Above: Villa Lena is located “in the heart of Tuscany, between Pisa and Florence”, with a hotel, a bar and restaurants, creative workshops and retreats, and “sustainable agritourismo.” Photograph by David Kaliga.

among the delights: numerous farm to table eateries, and olive oil and wine mad 15
Above: Among the delights: numerous farm-to-table eateries, and olive oil and wine made on the grounds.

the bright and art filled lobby. the creative residency has a “leav 16
Above: The bright and art-filled lobby. The creative residency has a “leave a trace” policy, asking visiting artists to leave behind a piece of their work. Photograph by Marina Denisova.

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