La Casa di Bru

Heidi Reutter-Ambros and Norbert “Bru” Ambros had been looking for a family vacation home for three years when they fell in love with a property in Apulia in southern Italy. The houses with their gleaming white walls shone out between the olive groves. The ensemble comprising four buildings immediately won them over: A dome-shaped trullo made of stacked tuff, typical of the region, a ‘lamia’, originally agricultural accommodation made of local limestone, and two modern extensions. The country estate was designed by the previous owner, the well-known architect and artist Luca Bombassei. He wanted to use it as a summer house and named it “Il Nido”, the nest. This was precisely the idea he followed when designing this special vacation home. The bedrooms are painted dark, the concrete floors are waxed brown to emphasize the cocoon character. On the façade, there’s a mural of two birds as a reminder of the original name. Anyone who has ever sat at the farmhouse table under the gnarled olive tree in the courtyard will understand why this dwelling can evoke romantic feelings. Add freshly picked figs and a lemonade made from fresh lemons from the garden and the tempting prospect of cooling off in the pool surrounded by nature before stretching out on soft cushions and taking a nap in the midday heat. There’s no better place to hide away than among the olive, fig and almond trees, completely undisturbed by anything or anyone.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• How this rural retreat combines the traditional and the contemporary—for example, the large plastic lamp that illuminates the old stone trullo
• The intense colors of nature, the red-brown of the earth with the silvery-green leaves of the olive trees make the white façade of the casa and the turquoise of the pool appear even more vibrant.
• The design of the bedrooms: The anthracite of the walls sets off striking pictures and art objects in strong colors, creating exciting contrasts
• So much emphasis is placed on authenticity here. The washbasins and taps are kept deliberately simple, just as rustic as when people lived here in the past.
• The summer villa is predestined for sweet idleness, the “dolce far niente”. Striped beanbags, sun loungers, colorful garden chairs and hammocks under olive trees invite guests to enjoy it to the fullest.
• The world’s most beautiful place for a digestivo is the roof terrace, accessible via an outside staircase. Sitting there with a glass of wine under the starry sky, with the sound of cicadas around you, looking out over the stony landscape with its hills and fields full of olive and citrus trees—this comes pretty close to the ultimate Puglia dream.
• The summery, Mediterranean room fragrance from Culti Milano, which greets us as soon as we enter the house, immediately awakening those vacation feelings
• An eye for details that make this place extraordinary, such as the colorful enamel espresso cups, a retro record player with a fine selection of vinyl, a bright red coral-shaped candlestick or the en-suite bathroom with works of art by Seletti
• The house was designed as a summer home. As life in the south of Italy mainly takes place outside in summer, the courtyard between the four buildings forms the center of the property, equipped with an outdoor kitchen and a long table for cooking, eating and socializing.
• The 15-meter-long pool, which connects directly to the olive grove and the beautiful sunbathing areas around it.
• The typical cuisine of the south to be lavishly enjoyed here: Simple dishes without any fuss, but made from high-quality ingredients—extraordinary in their simplicity

GOOD TO KNOW:

• The ensemble is suitable for a family of up to six people or for three couples. Three double rooms with en-suite bathrooms fill the Lamia and the two new buildings. The trullo serves as a living room with its own library.
• All rooms are air-conditioned and offer a perfect retreat from the shimmering summer heat. 
• If the weather doesn’t play ball (the exception), there’s a small kitchen inside as a back-up, creatively decorated with light boxes with wave motifs.
• You can grab a refreshment at the bar with a view of the pool.
• For active guests: Cooking and yoga courses can be organized directly in-house. Walks or bike tours through the olive groves are always a great idea.
• Off to the sea! A short drive will take you to one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, located in the Torre Guaceto nature reserve. There are also various beach clubs along the Adriatic coast from the casual “Cala Maka” to the chic “Le Palme”.
• The old town of Carovigno with its palm-lined squares is just three kilometers away and is perfect for an evening stroll. The “white town” of Ostuni offers arts and crafts and nice cafés and is also just around the corner. Also worth a visit: the exciting culinary town of Ceglie Messapica or the ceramics capital of Grottaglie.
• Puglia is home to thousands of trulli, which characterize the rural landscape. They’re concentrated around Alberobello, a UNESCO-listed village that’s well worth a visit.
• The nearest airports are Brindisi, 40 kilometers away, and Bari, 110 kilometers away.