Preparing food in a kitchen with wooden butchers island, stone work surface and artichokes Situated in Puglia in southern Italy, this stone-built trullo was bought three years ago by Mel and Simon, a young London couple who work in design and branding. Traditionally built with conical roofs, this particular trullo hadn't been lived in more decades but it came with a large plot of land which the couple took advantage of by enlarging the pool and surrounding terrace, and adding a shaded pavilion and a separate dining and barbecue area. "We'd rented lots of holiday houses since we had children but we always found them disappointing - lumpy furniture, uncomfortable beds and dated bathrooms. Our aim was to create the sort of relaxing holiday home which we would like and which our friends and their friends would like to rent - we need to cover our costs! Contemporary in style, comfortable, equipped with quality beds, cool cotton sheets, a music system with speakers inside and outside,and satellite TV and a DVD player. For us the exterior was equally as important as the interior hence the open air living areas and the vast terrace. Dining under the stars whilst listening to your favourite music is what it's all about!' The couple are planning to replicate the formula and build more houses along similar lines on the adjoining plot.
