VILLA ARDESIA

Sitting above the shifting blues of Lake Como, Villa Ardesia offers front-row access to one of Italy’s most mesmerising landscapes. Built from slate and wood, the property captures both the poetry of the lake’s ever-changing light and the quiet rhythm of life on the water. Whether it’s the soft morning mist or the copper-gold glow of dusk, every hour brings a new view through the villa’s expansive windows and open terraces.

Villa Ardesia is the product of deliberate design and a genuine, deep-rooted connection to Lake Como’s elemental beauty. Natural materials, particularly wood and slate, dominate the material palette, grounding the space firmly within the local landscape while offering real tactile richness throughout. Furnishings are elegant yet understated — think crisp linen, sculptural lighting, and handcrafted pieces. Vast glass windows and doors along the lakeside of the house open onto views stretching across the water and beyond.

Inside, the kitchen is fitted with modern appliances, though its true asset remains the view — cook with one eye on the water, and dine with the windows thrown open to the breeze. The living area unfolds as a single continuous space, where the kitchen, dining, and sitting areas blend seamlessly into one another, forming the true heart of the house. This open-plan design spills straight out onto the terrace and pool, just steps away, creating the perfect indoor-outdoor flow.

Each of the four bedrooms feels like its own private suite, featuring large beds, subtle lighting, and generously sized en-suite bathrooms. The layout offers real moments of privacy, making it perfect for groups of friends or extended families travelling together. While the interiors lean modern, they carry a certain softness that makes the space feel genuinely lived-in, never staged.

Guests are ferried around with ease via a private golf buggy, connecting the villa to the owner’s private pier — an arrangement that feels both exclusive and effortless. The owners, who also run a nearby hotel and restaurant, bring a polished sense of hospitality to Villa Ardesia throughout the stay. Boat trips can be arranged directly from the private pier, and while guests are welcome to venture further afield, many find themselves simply content to watch the light shift across the water from the comfort of the poolside loungers.