This Mediterranean style home was designed by Rumora & Associates Architects, built by Cua Builders, and finished on the interior by Grand Design Group. By the client’s request it is a home that captures the architecture of Tuscany. A circular driveway employs brick and interlocking grass pavers inside the arrival court to soften the hardscape and complement the tiered, circular landscape beds. A separate drive connects to the arrival court leading off under a porte-cochere, supported by limestone Tuscan columns, to a two-car rear-load and a two-car front-load garage.
The home’s facade is stained for a tastefully aged look. It is made of fieldstone, brick, and stucco and sits elevated on a sloping one-acre lot. The roof is made of clay tile and additional accents that include limestone wall cap, aluminum railing and awnings.
An open pavilion around back is connected to the great room by a charming loggia. The pavilion includes a brick masonry fireplace, icemaker, large natural gas grill, hot and cold running water, two undercounter refrigerators, and a beautiful view of the colorful landscape that surrounds its in-ground swimming pool.
Past the arch of the custom-made mahogany doors, a direct sight line connects the foyer, family room, loggia, and pavilion through to the center of the masonry fireplace located towards the back of the property.
That circular two-story foyer complements the similarly circular arrival court with its double bridal staircase and wrought iron railing. Continuing the trend, a circular inlaid marble mosaic sits directly below a massive, circular beam. This, in turn, frames a faux painted dome and 16 limestone columns which serve as a base for the groin vault ceilings above. Below, an impressive study lies across the way from a formal dining room.
Past the staircases of the grand foyer, a short passage with a barrel vault ceiling leads into the gallery complete with groin vault ceilings (formed by the intersection of two barrel vault ceilings). Two powder rooms bookend the gallery at either end while straight ahead stands a large family room.
To the right of the family room, a first-floor master suite awaits with the second of four fireplaces in the villa. The suite’s master bath includes a heated floor, his and her vanities, a walk-in shower, an expansive walk-in closet, and a private laundry room.
To the left of the family room, the formal design shaping the home’s aesthetic to this point softens into a casual one in the hearth room. Here a five-ton Kansas limestone fireplace commands attention. Detailed beam work, base, and backband casing give way to rough sawn stained trim. The stucco and exposed brick finish on the walls give the room a “ruins” look alongside the magnificent, masonry fireplace.
Care to help with the antipasto? The main kitchen lies through a doorway directly opposite the fireplace. This professional-grade space is ready to stand up to the expectations of even the most experienced chefs with its 48” dual fuel range. Two powerful dishwashers wait at the ready to make cleanup a breeze when you’re done. Hoping for a romantic candlelit dinner for two? Just off the hearth room, a casual dining room offers a more intimate space to enjoy the fine meal you’ve just made.
Three separate staircases inside this massive Mediterranean style home make for easy access to the second floor from anywhere. On the second floor, four bedrooms, three full bathrooms, the second laundry room, and an upper gallery give the grandeur of the first floor a run for its money. More barrel vault and groin vault ceilings stretch above, supported by limestone columns and an array of sconce lights. Brazilian Black Walnut flooring, the style featured throughout much of the home, lines the second level here as well. This sought-after material is recognized as the hardest of all hardwoods, making it an ideal choice for a luxury Mediterranean style home that will stand the test of time.
The downstairs invites recreation and relaxation in equal measure. First, we decided that a Tuscan Villa could never be truly complete without a state-of-the-art cantina. That’s why a temperature-controlled wine cellar sits nestled under two groin vaults with floor-to-ceiling exposed brick. We stocked it, of course, with numerous fine varietals. Further along, the downstairs level contains a wet bar, walkout patio, large theater room, powder room, two mechanical rooms, and one full-sized workout room with equipment to rival the finest fitness clubs. With its mixture of European charm, unbridled luxury, and an expansive floor plan, the Villa of Tuscany stands undisputed as one of the finest Mediterranean style homes in Ohio.
To build true Mediterranean style homes, you need to use real clay tile for the roofs. Four hundred years ago, the Ludovisi family began making clay roof tiles in Rome, Italy. Luckily, we don’t need to ship these heavy tiles 4,697 miles from Rome to Columbus today? That’s because Carl Ludowici (a Ludovisi family descendant) began making these tiles in America in 1888. Today, the Ludowici Roof Tile Co. is just one hour from Columbus in New Lexington, Ohio. The abundance of raw clay material in this area allows the company to produce their top-of-the-line product right here in the Buckeye State.
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