We bought a palace!! I know I know!! It’s crazy, amazing and scary!! We really bought an Italian Palace! We bought it before the Pandemic hit so things are a little slow but they are about to pick up!
Follow along here with the most current updates
We decided to take our first trip to Europe in October of 2018 with my hubby’s parents and brother. Specifically to go to Italy because Mike’s dad is Italian and had never been there. We visited Tuscany, Rome, Positano and another area called Abruzzo and the town of Casoli. Mike knew some business associates Bimbi Bellhouse and Spencer Power and they are the owners of a beautiful rustic Italian Farmhouse and barn called Piano La Roma. When they found out we were planning a trip to Italy they invited all of us to come and stay with them for a few days. It was absolutely magical!
The views all around the area are spectacular, I could not take enough photos or video! It felt like we were in the movie Under the Tuscan Sun because it was just so surreal to be in this authentic Italian town. We call this area of Italy The Real Italy! No tourists, no crowds, no touristy shops just real Italian people living their best lives!
This is the Barn and it is so unique and beautiful! Bimbi and Spencer are such gracious hosts and love to entertain. You can book a stay at their place by clicking here
I love this unique room that heads right into the kitchen in the farmhouse. Such unique and beautiful details like the blue and white ceiling!
Spencer is an artist and recreated this look from a beautiful old church in town. I Love Love it! Just look at the wall paper and the chandelier.
You can see more of their farmhouse on their website Pianolaroma.com
Their farmhouse and barn sit on a huge olive orchard. They make their own organic olive oil and olive leaf tea and sell it. Both of their products are seriously the best!
The color of the oil is a beautiful green color and almost sweet. The tea is 100% organic hand picked leaves and tastes so good and is so healthy for you. Ani-inflammatory, Anti-viral, 10 times more anti oxidants than green tea and no caffeine!
This beautiful area is outside the farmhouse on the patio. I am dying to have dinner out there under the pergola.
One of the days we were visiting, Bimbi and Spencer took us to the town of Casoli to walk around to see some sights. Once again we felt like we were in a movie! The town is just beautiful. We spent some time at the Friday outdoor market and bought some fresh produce, bought some pastries and gelato.
While walking around the town we came across this huge dilapidated building that seemed to be at one time, the crown jewel of this Italian town. Bimbi, who is very knowledgeable about the town let us know that is was for sale!
Not only for sale but we could probably get it for next to nothing! Our interest peaked!
Apparently it had been vacant for many years and needed lots of refurbishing. All that was going through my mind was “Could we really buy an Italian Palace?”
This 38,000 sq foot Palace belonged to an Italian noble family called the Ricci family and it is over 220 years old. The Ricci family have many properties and over the years just kind of let this one go.
A little history lesson for you- Palazzo Ricci has a rich history spanning centuries. From 1799, it has provided the prominent and noble Ricci family with a beautiful home and many memories.
Along with extended family, the Ricci’s entertained dignitaries, royalty, and some of the most famous artists and writers of the time. During World War II, Palazzo Ricci served as an officer’s residence for both German and British regional commanders.
I could not wait to see inside it! What treasures could be in it that have been left? Could we possibly buy this building and what in the world would we do with it?
Secret Rooms in inside the Palace
Our first visit to Casoli, Italy
Palazzo Ricci Garden clearing and treasures
Ciao!
If you want to learn more about our Palazzo in Italy and how you can own a piece of Italy you can go here This is so exciting to be a part of this rebuilding a little part of Italy.
Check out my post Going inside Palazzo Ricci to see the rooms, the gardens and more!
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Hi Karin, I’m so glad to see someone finally taking Palazzo Ricci on. My family and I were supposed to buy it and move over here from Australia back in 2015, but unfortunately my son and his partner separated and a 2 1/2 year court battle followed over their daughter, which put an end to our plans for a very long time. My husband and I did eventually move here back in 2020 (yes, right in the middle of the pandemic, and after you’d already bought Ricci), and because of the uncertainty that came with the pandemic we opted to buy a smaller palazzo (Palazzo Menichelli, here in Stimigliano, Lazio) this time instead. But I look so forward to seeing what you do with Ricci. I’ll remember that glorious glass ceiling and some of its other features for the rest of my days. If you ever find yourself over this way, by the way, please look us up and come and say hi :)
Hi Kel! Wow that is so amazing that you were going to but the palazzo at one time! It is such a beautiful old building and we can’t wait until it’s finished! It’s quite the project but so worth it! We would love to come see your place! We will be back in October 👍🏻
Hi
Looking to buy a small place just outside Casoli, so you can recommend th place?
Kay and Alex Porteous
Kirkby Lonsdale
Cumbria
England
Thank you Kay and Alex. I will have our friend Valeria from our Italian office get a hold of you to give you some help on finding a small place outside of Casoli.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Karin
You own a palace in Italy????? So not fair to the rest of us plebeians! I think when the pandemic is over, you should host a retreat there for everyone in the mastermind!
Jennifer, Yes we do!! That is a great idea! We will have to plan it when the palazzo is completed! It will be about a year and half until it is finished But YES that would be SOOO FUN!! We can take cooking classes too!!
Karin :)
Oh my GOSH Karin!! It;s absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait to follow along!! Congratulations!
It is so very exciting and we cannot wait to get back over there! We were supposed to be there this week :( but as you know travel to Europe is not happening yet. Things are a little bit behind because they are playing catch up over there but I hope to share new updates and photos soon of what has been happening :)
Hugs, Karin
Wow, wow, wow!
Hi Debbie! I couldn’t have said it any better! It is a WOW WOW WOW journey for sure! 😁👍🏻 Thanks so much for stopping by and saying Hi!
Karin
What an exciting new adventure for you and your family! I will definitely want to be following along as you restore this gorgeous building. Will be on the lookout for your next installment. Thanks for bringing us along!
Hi Catherine! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your support! We really are so excited! There is SO MUCH more to share... I cant wait to share it. I want to share fun experiences with all the darling people we have met, the beautiful places all around the area of Casoli, the castle that stands above our palace and of course all the plans we have for the palace! I just wish my fingers could type as fast as my thoughts 😂
Hugs,
Karin
OMG, OMG, Oh my gosh!!! How wonderful for you, Karin!!! I cannot wait to see what all you do with this, and yes... If you are thinking of making into a B&B, Charles and I will come and stay! I haven't been to Italy or France but those are two of many countries on my bucket list to visit. My father was adopted by Italian emigrées from Genoa and Sicily so I would love to visit all over Italy, if I can. My favorite thing to do is go to a new country for 3 weeks because then you get to experience soooo much more! I was an exchange student to Mexico and Germany and 3 weeks is like the perfect step into a new culture...
Totally excited for you and your husband (and family! whom I am sure is chomping to come over and see this beautiful residence...),
Hugs,
Barb :)
p.s. Did you already share to Share Your Style recently (I may have missed because each week I kind of find a theme and run with it)? If so, relink up again so I can feature this post, please!! :) Beautiful front door area, btw. Cool that it is 200+ years old!!!
Barb! Thank you so much for your excitement for us!! It really is so exciting and scary at the same time! 😂 You NEED to come to Italy for sure! It’s so romantic and just plain gorgeous! We are hoping to get back out there in late July and again in the fall! Come with us! We could show you all around!
To get the palace ready we have what I would like to call a dream team in Italy helping us to get the project completed!
This is going to be a fractionally owned residence club! So anyone can own a piece of REAL Italy. It’s such a great way to own a piece of a European property without having the worry of taking care of it when you are not there! Plus it will be like a fancy resort with a huge garden and pool area! You can read more about it ion my hubby’s website http://www.palazzoricci.club I can’t wait to share more about our whole journey!
Hugs!
Karin
P.S. I linked up to your party! 🙌🏻😊
Incredible!! This IS huge! Looking forward to seeing both the transformation of this castle as well as your lives as you submerge yourselves into the Italian culture. Not long ago I remember seeing a clip of Sunday Morning Today show indicating one can have dual citizenry with Italy/US if you have lineage, just curious if you've explored that. Our family has direct Italian lineage from our maternal grandfather, so it piqued many of my siblings' interests. This is definitely a unique empty nester project, Karin! Best wishes for a successful adventure!
Thank you Rita for stopping by! I had not seen that clip! Thank you for sharing that info with me! I am going to look into that for sure! It is so fun to hear from so many that have Italian heritage! Italy is such a beautiful place and I can’t wait to get back there! We love the people of Italy and have made some amazing new friends there!
We hope to get back there in late July and or early fall to see the progress in the palace. You should come with us!
I will be posting more about our crazy Empty Nester project experiences soon!
That is very exciting! I can certainly see why you fell in love with the area.
Thank you Joanne! I can’t wait to share all about our experiences, the Palazzo itself, the sweet people we continue to meet, the shops, cafe’s, places to see in that area of Italy. It is so very exciting! Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hi! 🥰
Karin
I am going to be following you along every single step of this exciting journey! Please do share each update at Thursday Favorite Things. Congratulations!
Thank you Amber! It’s pretty exciting and scary all at the same time but I know it's going to be absolutely stunning when we are through! Plus I think it will really give the town a boost!
Hugs,
Karin