Perched above the Comino Valley, in the mountains of central Italy, sits a narrow stone house in the historic centre of San Donato, spread across three tiny floors.

When we first saw it, there was no bathroom, an external staircase, and a building that seemed to be asking us something. Most people would probably have walked away.

Instead, we couldn't stop thinking about it.

What began as a simple viewing soon became an unexpected adventure. There were surveys to untangle, hidden spaces to explore, old doors to unlock, and more paperwork than we thought possible. Along the way, we found ourselves increasingly drawn to the house, its peculiar challenges, and the village that surrounds it.

The Nook is a restoration project, a design challenge, and a journal of village life. It is the story of a very small house and the craftsmanship, history, people, and unexpected discoveries that come with bringing it back to life.

As the project unfolds, we'll share the renovation, the design decisions, the stories we uncover, and the rhythms of life in San Donato, a village that rewards the curious.

Welcome to The Nook