Casa Laetitia - Overview

Casa Laetitia is a real gem. Set up a winding narrow road above the village of Cadennabbia on Como's western shore, this gracious and beautifully appointed private home is an oasis of relaxed style and a cool refuge from the boisterous villages along the water's edge. This has always been an area for poetic indulgence and this home seems especially well-suited to a peaceful, dreamy vacation with various interesting excursions readily available but completely optional. Casa Laetitia is a base for virtually any kind of vacation; meditative walks into the mountains, a sun-drenched afternoon in the fragrant garden with cool drinks at hand; a chic day trip to scour Armani and Prada for bargains. The charm and romanticism of Lake Como only grow with repeat visits. The drama of the landscape and exceptionally charming towns, and the friendly relaxed people make this a truly special holiday destination.

Griante is mostly a residential village, but it does offer a good gelateria and bar, with music on evenings for the younger set. On some days, a local farmer drives up with produce, which makes for easy shopping. There are also public tennis courts just down the street. For walkers, a wonderful narrow lane, pedestrian only, takes you through the village and up into the mountains to an important, ancient church. Following down the hill towards the Lake, an easy staircase brings you into Cadennabia in less than five minutes. Here you can jump a boat to other points around the Lake, have a meal, or go to the 'lido', a beach club with pool, Lakefront beach and restaurant. In the evenings it becomes a discotheque. Cadennabia is ten minutes on foot from Tremezzo, and it is possible to get to any of the central Lakefront towns within about 15 minutes; Varenna, Menaggio and Bellagio. Piona to the north and Como and Cernobbio to the south are within an hour. To really appreciate Lake Como, you need to move around by boat - public or private as you prefer. For those preferring independent mobility, it is possible to enjoy a vacation on the Lake using hired cars and boats for transportation.

Casa Laetitia has an important provenance. First constructed in the 1700's, on a foundation which perhaps predated this by centuries, the house was substantially embellished in the 1840's and again at the beginning of the 1900's when it was the home of Pope Pius XI. A long period of decay and abandonment followed, a fate reversed by the purchase and complete restoration of the house by the current owners who continued to enhance and improve it for a decade or so. The results are delightful. The home reflects the international lifestyle of it's Milan-based owners, a happy blend of classic design influences from across Western Europe that reinforces the true spirit of the home and introduces all the necessary modern comforts.

The narrow winding road which climbs to the modest village of Griante brings you to Casa Laetitia just before it narrows again into the historic center of town. Set right on the road, the impeccable salmon-colored exterior and grey trim are so fresh it looks as though the painters left a week ago. A public car park across the street is used by the owner, who prefers not to look down from the house or garden on her car, but guests are free to park inside the tall iron gate in the gravel car-park. The magnificently lush garden begins to climb the hillside from here, starting with a charming parterre and then leading to the dining pavilion for eight, shaded by heavy-hanging wisteria. The adjacent house serves as a rugged backdrop and contributes to the intimacy of the spaces. This level extends the width of the garden, encompassing an elegant outdoor sitting room with antique rattan furniture, complete with freshly upholstered cushions. This cool and shady tranquility passes by the double doors to the living room, bordered with fragrant jasmine vines, bringing the garden right to the edge of the house. The sound of bird calls is a delightful accent. Rough hewn stairs and pathways then climb again, up several terraces bordered with azalea, camellias, hydrangea and rosemary. A studio (not available to guests) with handsome leaded glass, sits adjacent to a second seating area open to the stars, mountains and narrow water views. Verdant hills sweep up behind you, an adrenaline rush of a background for such refined and sophisticated living.

A ground floor vestibule leads immediately up stairs to the First Floor and the primary living spaces. Everything about the house reflects the owner's care and attention; fabrics, colors and finishes chosen with an exacting aesthetic and uncompromising commitment to quality and authenticity. The spaciousness of the house allows for larger and smaller gathering spaces as well as complete bedroom suites for all. This is a peaceful and cheerful house, in impeccable condition, designed for maximum pleasure and relaxation.