Stay in a Minimalist Villa in the Sicilian Countryside, Complete With Sea Views

With an architectural simplicity that highlights the textures and colors of its raw wood board cladding, this 1,238-square-foot, three-bedroom vacation villa is proof that less can certainly be more.

Located in Noto, a commune in the Sicilian province of Syracuse, this villa rests on a gentle sloping plot in the Italian countryside. The front portion of the villa is raised a few feet off the ground and is supported by three concrete structures—so from the inside, guests can enjoy views of the sea from a distance.  

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Available for rent through Boutique Homes, the villa is ideal for couples looking to unplug, unwind, and reconnect.

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Designed by Italian architect Maria Giuseppina Grasso Cannizzo, the villa’s intelligent design creates an aesthetic that's effortlessly modern and organic. 

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Conceived as two separate structures and residences, the units slide on tracks so the interior spaces can either be completely shut or opened like a matchbox—closing or revealing an expansive metal grate terrace that looks out to the sea. 

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The cantilevered structure has an exterior that appears smooth and lightweight, and light-filled interiors that are minimally decorated. 

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The interior walls and windows are whitewashed, which gives the space a clean, pure, Zen-like appeal.

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The bright and airy, neutral-colored bedrooms have a pared-down, almost monastic quality that encourages daydreaming and contemplation.

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Well-considered vintage furniture and contemporary pieces combine with glossy concrete and polished wooden floors to evoke a stylish yet utilitarian composition.

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Michele Koh Morollo
Dwell Contributor
Michele Koh Morollo is a journalist who has been writing about design, lifestyle and travel for the last twenty years.

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