After a few days at the Villa in Tuscany we come to find out that the Villa is feminine; that it has a feminine soul. The tree planted in the front courtyard is feminine too. This fact was revealed to Sloane and I by one of the Villa’s ancestors who lives next door.

This person was not surprised when we confessed that we had spent a fitful night, something was bothering our psyche. Not in a bad way, but there seemed to be all this energy just wanting to be released.

Sloane and I went around opening windows, letting light in, inviting fresh air to touch all the rooms and belongings. We turned music on to fill the house with joy. Then we went out into the garden and clipped gorgeous hydrangeas, sweet smelling jasmine and fresh lemon blossoms. The Villa seemed to let out a huge sigh.

It is as if it had been waiting for someone to love it again, to not be just a rental property. It was loving the warmth and aromas of the kitchen, the baths were steamy and filled with great soap smells, the towels were hung out to dry, the armoires were aired and had beautiful clothes hanging in them. Pillows on sofas were crumpled, books were left open, wine was served. And always music, glorious music.

We build homes to shelter us not only physically, but spiritually. Our home is an extension of who we are, and much like us, a home needs to be tended to, kept healthy, so that it too has joy and can bring out the best in who we are, and who we can be.

Love your home and it will love you back.