“Under the Tuscan Sun:” The Real-Life Renovated Villa

Who could forget the charming Italian villa called 'Bramasole' that Diane Lane buys on a whim and fixes up in the movie 'Under the Tuscan Sun'? The villa used in the movie, that was filmed on location in Tuscany, was NOT remodeled for the shoot – they “just cleaned it up a little and filmed it in warmer, prettier light,” according to writer-director Audrey Wells. The real restoration work on the real-life Bramasole began in 2006, four years after the movie was filmed here. Here’s how it looks today.

There are actually two buildings on the property.

While on vacation in Tuscany, Frances looks at the real estate listings that are posted.  How many of us have done this on vacations, too? She sees one she likes, for a villa called “Bramasole”.

Later, the tour bus pulls up next to the villa and she shouts, “Stop the bus!” This is the building Diane Lane’s Frances Mayes sees in the movie when she visits for the first time.

When she walks in, things are in pretty bad shape.

At the end of the movie, when the renovations are complete, 

thanks to Movie Magic, it looks like this.

The real-life restoration work was much more extensive and involved more than just cleaning up. Here’s how it looks now:

You can rent the villa the next time you’re in Tuscany. According to Italian Villas, “Bramasole lies nestled on a hill just three minutes outside the ancient town walls of Cortona.” Two hours NE of Rome and one and a half hours SE of Florence, this picturesque villa is in a prime location for travel in Central Italy.

The kitchen in the movie was much smaller:

According to the rental website, “Every bedroom on the property is unique with beautiful original features, hand woven Busatti fabrics and the highest quality bed linen. All bedrooms have air conditioning, Wi-Fi, en-suite bathrooms and a commanding view of the surrounding countryside.” There’s plenty of room for everyone here, with 10 bedrooms and 10.5 baths.

Compared to a  bedroom in the movie:

Again, the bathroom in the movie was much more basic than they are now.

One of the updated baths:

The views from the villa are beautiful:

“There is always something to keep you entertained, whether it be a swim in the travertine pool, a soak in the Jacuzzi, a walk through the Medici parkland to visit the ducks on the lake, or a Bocce tournament with other guests.” Sounds like the perfect vacation to me!

The photo below is of Frances Mayes’ actual Bramasole, her real house, not the movie version. In case you didn't know, the movie was based on a true story.

Do any of my friends out there have an extra 2,000 to 3,000 Euro they could spend nightly on this beautiful Italian vacation home???  I make a GREAT guide!

ENJOY!

~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~
RONDA

For more photos and information about renting this movie location,
 visit Italian Villas. 

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