Holiday home La Casa di Bru

A nest in Apulia: La Casa di Bru is an unusual and contrasting ensemble of historic and modern buildings. A summer house in the countryside, yet not far from the charming and imposing towns of Carovigno and Ostuni.
The distinctive bright whitewashed ensemble consists of a historic trullo (a traditional Apulian circular house), a lamia (a square building also typical of the region) and two contemporary, linear extensions. It is complemented by a 15-metre-long pool that flows directly into the olive grove. As life in southern Italy usually takes place outside, the courtyard between the four buildings forms the house’s centrepiece, with an outdoor kitchen and a long table for cooking, eating and socialising – sheltered under the shady canopy of an old olive tree.
The previous owner of the house, the Italian architect and artist Luca Bombassei, has kept the interiors entirely in black and combined them with brown, waxed concrete floors. A coherent contrast that emphasises the traditions of the region and the authenticity of the buildings. Wall paintings of oversized birds and a nest on the roof of the guest toilet still refer to the former name of the house: ‘The Nest’. Only the tufa walls of the trullo have been left unplastered. Here, guests can enjoy a simple but very cosy living room under the conical, windowless roof, which stays pleasantly cool on hot summer’s days. In the Lamia and the two new buildings there are three double bedrooms with exciting artwork and en suite bathrooms, as well as an additional indoor kitchen.
The third colour of the design concept, an earthy rust red, defines the pool area and echoes the soils of Puglia. The dazzling white façades of the buildings form the perfect backdrop to make the turquoise-coloured pool appear even more intense. Numerous steps lead up to the roof terrace, where you can round off the evening under the starry sky, accompanied by the singing of the cicadas and the view over the serene landscape.

What to do

Relaxing around the house, swimming in the pool, yoga or cookery courses can be booked directly at the house, walks or bike tours through the olive groves, excursions to lively Carovigno, to the picturesque ‘white town’ of Ostuni, to the exciting culinary town of Ceglie Messapica or to the ceramics capital of Grottaglie, swimming at one of the most beautiful beaches in the region in the Torre Guaceto nature reserve, 15 minutes away by car, or in one of the bagni (e.g. Cala Maka Club or the chic Le Palme), boat trips from Monopoli to Polignano a mare. Cala Maka Club or the chic Le Palme), boat trips from Monopoli to Polignano a mare

Why we like this house

Apulian architecture and modernity excitingly combined and designed.

This house is great for

Families with older children (as stairs and roof terraces can be a risk), couples and friends who love nature, tranquillity and outdoor living

Owner

For Heidi Reutter-Ambros and Norbert ‘Bru’ Ambros, the house was love at first sight. The couple - she a copywriter and social media manager, he the author of the men's lifestyle blog BRU'S who previously worked for an Italian bank - had been looking for a suitable family holiday home for years and finally found their dream with the ‘Nest’ in Apulia. In addition to their passion for Italy, the couple shares great enthusiasm for design, art, architecture, travelling and good food.

Details

Availability calendar

The calendar shows the current availability of the accommodation. On days with white background the accommodation is still available. On days with dark gray background the accommodation is not available.

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