Masseria Moroseta – Puglia, Italy

Just before they opened their doors to the public, we were lucky enough to be shown around Masseria Moroseta, a guesthouse (or B&B) in the heart of Puglia, Southern Italy. The creation of Openhouse Magazine co-creator Andrew Trotter and his old friend Carlo Lanzini.

The building sits amongst 12 acres of ancient olive groves, situated just outside the beautiful white town of Ostuni and almost equidistant from the beach. As you approach the Masseria the elements start to combine, white-washed walls, raw stone, deep-red soil and dark green vegetation. Flecks of blue, white and yellow wildflowers pepper the scene. Crisp modern architectural details blend seamlessly with styles and materials seen in the farmhouses of the area giving a new twist to the local vernacular.

As you pass through the large steel gate of the main entrance, a striking open-air staircase beckons you towards a roof terrace with its 360 outlook, including views of the stunning local hillsides, dotted with the distinctive white buildings of Ostuni. The Masseria flows around a large internal courtyard with it’s six suites looking out towards private gardens and the olive groves beyond. A homely communal living space offers the chance to take cover from the sun and soak up the magnificent views across the swimming pool, olive groves and the blue sea during the day. In the evening the large kitchen table is the scene of a freshly prepared communal meal, eating and socialising are important here.

The white-washed interiors are made up of carefully selected modern design pieces mixed with finds from local markets and antique fairs. From the Le Corbusier Chaise Longue, Achille and Pier Actiglioni’s Arco lamp to the sculpted marble sinks in the bathrooms (reclaimed from an old laundry), every detail has been carefully considered to create a contemporary take on rustic luxury.

If you want to take a piece of Masseria Moroseta home with you then you can, with a bottle of their very own olive oil, cold pressed from the fruits of the trees that surround you. And if you’re feeling generous, why not hire the whole place for your friends and family.