A charming refuge protected by an oak forest, in the hills of Sarzana, in Liguria. La Fustaia is a B&B and a farm that produces oil and honey. The cultivation of peonies, however, is dedicated to Lucia's mother (they were her favorite flower!).

“La Fustaia is a magical place that we inherited in a state of complete abandonment, for perhaps more than 100 years, by my husband's noble family, the Counts Lamotte. Grandfather Camillo used the place as a hunting lodge. The story goes that one day he had found roe deer, which you can still be lucky enough to meet today, without a mother. Since then the place was declared a protected reserve, "says Lucia Lamotte, the owner of the house.

Walls covered in raw lime and large windows to let in the light. The roof was recovered from a church: ancient tiles and protruding slate of Lavagna: “Not having much from the historical cadastre, we have resumed the uses of the farmhouses in the area with painted plinth and natural transpiring wavy lime," explains Lucia.

Antique furnishings, designer lamps and handmade wonders, such as the Valentina Giovando table covered with a mix & match of various materials, from the upholstery to the sequins, recalling Victorian settings, Parisian bistros of the '700 and Art Nouveau furnishings.

In La Fustaia you can live unique experiences. Those that remain in the heart. For example to collect peony petals at dawn and create an essence. Enjoy nature with a picnic in the woods. Wait for the arrival of horses that take you on a walk to a refreshing swim in the river. An intimate dinner in the 19th century greenhouse. What are the future projects? Glamping in the woods.

I asked Lucia Lamotte, owner of La Fustaia, to tell me something more about this enchanted place.

The Fustaia in 3 words ...

A nest protected by the woods.

What is La Fustaia for you?

A special place for special people. La Fustaia is dedicated to people looking for a unique experience that they will carry in their hearts. It allows me to give vent to my creativity, creating everything I have in my heart and mind.

What's with you in La Fustaia?

I am the Fustaia, everything flowed from me. I have always loved architecture, the use of local materials and workmanship. In the choice of colors my daughter Costanza helped me (amazing photographer!), a palette made up of three colors: cream, black and a gray with a hint of violet.

5 furnishings of La Fustaia you love most...

In the house there are many pieces of furniture taken from the ancient Villa Lamotte, such as the end of the eighteenth century secretary with a bed on Lago glass, and porcelain that my mother collected. The Don Giovanni table by the artist Valentina Giovando well represents the high craftsmanship of Sarzana. Then I love the Taccia Castiglioni lamp for Flos 1962 and the Cinqueterre kitchen by Vico Magistretti for Schiffini.

The corner of La Fustaia makes you fall in love every day.

The corner of the window, where during the winter rains I stop to read a good book sitting on velvet cushions.

What are your favorite places not to be missed in Sarzana?

1. Aperitif at the Loggiato, an ancient monastery of nuns.
2. Relive the medieval Sarzana with a visit to the Citadel, the Firmafede Fortress.
3. Dream among Valentina Giovando's creations (you can see them at Impavidi decor in via Aurelia Nord 340, Sarzana) and among the hand-painted wallpapers of Elena Carrozzi (her studio in Sarzana is at number 35 in Via Fiasella).
4. Shopping at Thanks Dad.
5. A tea at Melissa Forti.
6. Get lost in the floral laboratory of La Verde Milonga.
7. A visit to the Museo dei Bozzetti.
8. For dinner you go to the I Capitelli restaurant or to the Il Cantinone restaurant.

What are your favorite addresses near Sarzana?

1. A dinner in Montemarcello, at the Terrazza Belvedere, or at the La Corte di La Spezia restaurant. Or even at the L’orto di Ameste with a 360 degree view of the Gulf of Poets.
2. A walk from Montemarcello to Tellaro, a fishing village among the most beautiful in Italy. 
3. A stop in Portovenere where with a boat you can be ferried to the island of Palmaria (before going on the boat you can stock up on pesto: in the port there are the dispensers). Do not miss the Le Rosse cove.
4. Being suspended between sky and sea on the Monesteroli staircase.
5. Carrara marble quarries.

What are the best times of year to come to La Fustaia?

In spring for the flowering of gorse and peonies, and for the Atri Fioriti event: some of the most important historical buildings in the city open the courtyards decorated with floral compositions. At the end of June on the occasion of the Sarzana Opera Festival where the new promises of opera are awarded. At Christmas for the Tellaro light festival. In October there is the Festival della Mente. In Colonnata you go to taste lard. The antique markets? Antiquariato Sarzana organizes them (dates on their website!)

www.lafustaia.it

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