Villa Vipp Puglia | Studiotoff

On the heel of Italy, the town of Ostuni in the Puglia region has earned the reputation as “i borghi più belli d'Italia” – one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. This summer, Vipp opens the doors to a countryside guesthouse in Ostuni created by Dutch design studio, Studiotoff.

At the end of a long dusty gravel path, the Vespa has arrived at ‘Villa Vipp, Puglia’ perched on the highest point on a sloping hill to capture the endless rows of olive trees. On this canvas of ancient-old olive groves rooted in the area’s signature red soil, Dutch Studiotoff, who is specialised in adaptive reuse and renovation projects, has realised Vipp’s second guesthouse entry in Italy (the first being Vipp Palazzo Monti in Brescia).

A whitewashed retreat

The one-story family guesthouse echoes Puglia’s whitewashed building typology punctuating the scenic landscape. Studiotoff has managed to erect a modern retreat with respect to the architectural vernacular in a protected historic area. Edges of the 1.5 ha plot are lined with a low dry-stone wall - a local tradition for defining your piece of land. The new solitary villa stands as a bold geometric centre point contrasting the ruggedness of the natural scenery.

The female duo behind Studiotoff, Irene and Barbara are no strangers to Puglia’s soulful allure; the Dutch studio has undertaken five property developments in Puglia. “What characterizes our projects is a sharp architecture combined with an interior of refined simplicity exuding a calmness and lightness”, observes Irene

“Since we first fell in love with Puglia six years ago, we have been keeping a close eye on this A-list location. It was a dream come true when we signed the purchase contract”, explains Barbara.

Three double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a combined living area and kitchen outline the interior. In the fully equipped Vipp kitchen, guests find jars of olive oil harvested from the garden and wine produced for the neighbouring fields. On the speakers, the tune of ‘Ciao ciao’ by ‘La rappresentante di lista’, adds to the vibe of Italian vacanza. An exterior staircase leads up to a large rooftop terrace overlooking the vast veranda adding an extra 47 m2 to the villa. “Foldable glass doors framed in oak ease the transition from indoors to outdoors where a spacious veranda and pool area devise the dolce vita of southern Italy”, says Irene.

While the indispensable infinity pool offers a much-needed dip, the veranda lounge area calls for a siesta after a day of exploring a region packed with castelli and catedrali.

A serene ode to minimalism interior design

Following the success of its first Italian guesthouse, Vipp Palazzo Monti, Vipp was on the lookout for a second Italian adventure, this time in southern Italy. “Having fallen in love with Puglia, I stumbled upon Studiotoff and their magnificent architectural projects in the area”, explains Kasper Egelund, CEO and 3rd generation Vipp owner.

“Being long time admirers of Vipp’s design universe, it was the ideal timing when Kasper reached out to us to enquire about a collaboration in Puglia to be part of Vipp’s portfolio of guesthouses”, adds Barbara.

With the alchemy required to make a guest feel at home, Studiotoff and Vipp have conjured up a haven for the discerning, design-minded guest. A curated furniture selection in harmony with what surrounds it is juxtaposed by objects that add to that rural, simplistic charm of the countryside.

“While the surroundings ooze of Italy’s old charm, the interior is resolutely Danish. A warm minimalism that doesn’t scream for attention but conveys a subtle sophisticated experience”, notes Kasper Egelund.

Credits
Project by Studiotoff
Interior by Vipp
Styling: Julie Cloos Mølsgaard
Photos: Pia Winther

Location: Ostuni close to Cisternino