It must have been painful for the noble Florentine Grassi family to part with Villa la Vedetta; family memories and ancestral heritage are one thing, but those panoramic views of the Florence skyline—the kind you can get only from the top of the Viale Michelangiolo, less than two miles from the Duomo—are another entirely. Fortunately for discerning view-seekers, the new owners restored the 18-room villa with a few doses of Fellini to complement the city’s inherent Michelangelo. Original marble floors in some rooms, new parquet floors in others, and just a few Renaissance-style paintings are paired pleasantly with minimalist red leather chairs, a splash of zebra-print here and there, 1950s art prints, and crisp white walls throughout. Indeed, between the cozy, well-stocked library and the expansive pool deck where one could soak up the sun and the views for hours, the villa still feels quite a bit like a quirky, artsy relative’s home, to which you’ve been given the keys for a week. Good thing these relatives have a discreet and friendly staff who can whip up a caprese salad and a glass of chianti upon request and send a car to drop you off in town.
