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before and after
 DemolitionThe corner of the southwest wall lost large portions of its interior face and was unstable. |  DemolitionThe wall was demolished to the ceiling of the first floor and rebuilt. |
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 Ceiling Joists and Brick ReplacedThis centuries-old method of construction gives Tuscan interiors their distinctive appearance. |  Ceiling Joists and Brick ReplacedOld brick and salvaged joists were used throughout the house. |
 Roof BeamsFor added structural strength, the beams were poured in a reinforced concrete ring, or cordolo. |  Roof Poured in ConcreteReinforced concrete added strength to the roof. |
 Front Façade - BeforeLarge sections of the roof collapsed before the restoration, such as the central portion in this photo. |  Front Façade - After |
 Front Façade - After |  Alley View - BeforeThis central road connected Barbazzano to a portion of the Roman era Via Cassia. |
 Alley View - After |  Second House - BeforeA portion of this building was once the church of Santa Maria di Barbazzano. An intervention was required to stabilize the structure. |
 Second House - AfterOnce fully restored, this house will feature five additional ensuite bedrooms plus a caretaker's apartment. |  North Façade - BeforeThe ground floor housed various animals. The rising heat from their bodies was a source of warmth for the occupants living above. |
 North Façade - AfterFlanked by a split level lawn and arbor covered eating area to the left (not pictured), this side of the house offers spectacular sunset views over the Arno valley. |  North Façade - After |
 Salone Quattro Archi - BeforeThis large room once housed cows. |  Salone Quattro Archi - AfterFurnished with comfortable love seats and armchairs, this is a great room for gathering any time of the day. |
 Sala da Pranzo - BeforeThis was the stable. |  The antique mahogany table and chairs upholstered in Busatti fabric from Sansepolcro offer elegant dining indoors. |
 Studio - BeforeA wine fermenting vat was found in this room. Through the small doorway in back was a chicken coop. |  Studio - AfterThe earliest foundations are exposed beneath the glass floor - this room is a great spot to write a postcard or read a book. |
 West Façade - BeforeTwo families shared this house, using separate entrances. This exterior stair is a common feature of Tuscan farmhouses. |  West Façade - AfterFive bedrooms catch the light from the setting sun. |
 West Façade - AfterA path leading around the house winds past bay, wisteria, lavender and rose. |  Il Giardino Exterior - BeforeThe stalls on the ground floor were accessed by exterior doors. |
 Il Giardino Exterior - AfterOccupants of this bedroom can enjoy the sunset from a semiprivate terrace. |  Il Giardino - BeforeA collapsed ceiling and roof provided a fertile spot for vegetation to grow inside the house. |
 Il Giardino - AfterThis cozy room features a queen bed and three piece ensuite with shower. |  Il Giardino - After |
 Cucina Principale - BeforeThese low rooms housed pigs. |  Cucina Principale - AfterThis half of the main kitchen features a Lacanche range with pasta boiler, stainless island and counter with sink, and professional pastry refrigerators. |
 Cucina Principale - AfterIn this half of the kitchen are an oven and cooktop, side by side refrigerator, commercial high speed dishwasher, two sinks and an island with seating. |  Salone Carriola - BeforeSalone Carriola - the carriage room - was once used to store wagons and other farm implements. |
 Salone Carriola - AfterCarriola is now a comfortable gathering spot for impromptu meals. Satellite television and a videocassette library offer entertainment and news. |  La Rosa - BeforeThe roof and ceiling collapsed before we arrived. |
 La Rosa - AfterBefore becoming a farm Barbazzano was the site of the church of Santa Maria di Barbazzano. La Rosa, together with Il Giacinto next door, originally comprised the rectory. The outlines and charred brick of the hearth are still visible in the wall behind the bed. And the original ceiling height is outlined in brick on the pictured wall. |  La Bella Vista - BeforeThe western wall of this room was demolished and rebuilt. |
 La Bella Vista - AfterThis large bedroom features a king or two double beds, sitting area and three piece ensuite with tub/shower. |  La Bella Vista - AfterWith south and west exposures, La Bella Vista is bright and airy. |
 Salone Camino - BeforeThe kitchen-the first room one enters in a traditional farmhouse-was the center of domestic life. Note the 1950s era terrazzo sink in the right corner. |  Salone Camino - AfterA carved sandstone sink was restored to its original position. |
 Salone Camino - BeforeThe large hearth in this room was the only source of heat for the family, apart from heat rising from the bodies of the animals housed on the ground floor. Food was cooked in the hearth on grates laid over coals. Once or twice a week, the large oven opposite the house's main entrance was lit to roast meats and bake bread. |  Salone Camino - AfterThe restored hearth, with its traditional chimney, or cappa. |
 Salone Camino - AfterSalone Camino is furnished with comfortable armchairs and is a relaxing retreat. |  Il Valdarno - BeforeOriginally reached by exterior stairs, this was formerly the kitchen for the western half of the house. Note the stone sink suspended on brick piers. |
 Il Valdarno - AfterWith west, north and east exposures, this room is very bright and features a king or two double beds and three piece ensuite with shower. |  La Loggia - BeforeThe loggia was a shady spot to catch the evening breezes. |
 La Loggia - AfterThis space is now a quiet retreat on the third floor. |
Nestled high in the hills between the Chiana and Arno valleys, the tiny hamlet of Barbazzano was authentically restored to an exacting standard. Once home to about thirty contadini, or peasant farmers, Barbazzano was abandoned in 1969 and fell into disrepair. The restoration took six years using salvaged and reclaimed materials wherever possible.
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