Artisans of Devizes Project: Italian Lakes

Artisans of Devizes

Set in a blissful location on the edge of Lake Maggiore in northern Italy, the garden of this 100-year-old house required a labour of love to bring it back to its former glory. ‘It was completely abandoned apart from fruit tree planting - and they were pretty much dead,’ says Stuart Barfoot, founder of Barfoot Design, who was commissioned to transform it. ‘There were a few steps that showed there had been a garden before but there was no discernible one here.’ Stuart’s brief was to create a very naturalistic garden that was sensitive to the local area. Paintings and old photographs of the garden showed it with a lawn, fruit trees and big trees by the lake, most notably a large poplar, and the aim was to return the garden to its former glory. Because the clients are a family with young children, an element of living outdoors was a requirement, so key was plenty of lawn space and outdoor seating areas. A swimming pool was also on the family’s wishlist.
A sizeable modern extension was added to the house during the renovation with generous floor-to-ceiling windows, and Stuart was keen to maximise the views from it so the clients could look out over the lake, without seeing the swimming pool. He created a raised deck area with a covered pergola and glass balcony that is used as a dining space and can seat up to 16 people. A louvred top and blinds on three sides ensures the space is useable whatever the weather.
Beneath is a covered seating space cantilevered off the house, which is accessed via steps at the side that lead to the pool terrace. This covered space features a kitchen and bar, and functions as the pool living space, so it’s perfect for sitting in the shade and enjoying the pool. ‘It’s very much its own space,’ says Stuart. ‘You’re looking out across the garden but mostly It’s the lake you perceive when you’re in that space.’
The choice of stone was crucial to the aesthetic of the surroundings and Artisans of Devizes was the go-to for Stuart as he’s worked with our stone on other projects. ‘I find the treatments on Artisans’ stone very good,’ he says. To complement the timeworn local stone that the house is built from, he chose Trusloe Limestone with a seasoned finish around the pool and on the treads of the steps, as well as on small areas near the house. ‘It’s stunning, indestructible and virtually zero maintenance. It’s got this aged and weathered look that in this kind of project I find very appealing. We used a regular width but variable lengths to create a nice pattern.’
Stuart lined the swimming pool with stone, too, and also used it on the sides of the pool. He chose Grafton limestone in a seasoned finish. ‘It’s a beautiful soft grey and is a little more contemporary. The whole garden is what I would call contemporary natural so the pool has got elements of contemporary.’

Designer: Barfoot Garden Design
Photography: Alessandro Della Savia