A Small House Restoration in the Heart of Piemonte

In 2014, when we returned to Germany after selling our B&B, we felt as though half our heart was still beating in Italy and we simply couldn’t bear to cut that tie. In 2016 we discovered a tiny house just outside the Barolo wine village of Novello, a little refuge that could become our bolthole in Piemonte. It was in ill repair and in desperate need of a thorough renovation, so we rolled up our sleeves and began our second Italian restoration.

Reimagining a Tiny Italian Home

Inside its modest 45 square meters, we reimagined the layout to create an open living–dining–kitchen space, a compact shower room, and a cozy bedroom. The real magic of this small home lies in its proportions: soaring 3‑meter ceilings flood the rooms with air and light, making the house feel far larger than its footprint suggests. We supervised the restoration closely and took on much of the work ourselves, stripping away old plaster and cladding the living room and bedroom stone walls with shiplap wood so we could insulate them simply and effectively.

Throughout this small house restoration, it was essential for us to respect the character and history of the house while gently guiding it into the world of modern living. We treated every decision as a conversation between old and new, allowing the original bones and proportions to shine while quietly introducing comfort, efficiency, and warmth. The result is a home that feels authentic to its setting, yet perfectly attuned to how we live today.

A Small House That Fits Just Right

We installed a beautiful wood‑burning stove that doubles as a cooker, and even on the coldest winter nights the entire house stays cozy and welcoming. The space is remarkably economical to heat and thoughtfully designed, with furniture chosen to suit the scale of the rooms rather than forcing oversized pieces to fit. Every element was selected to support the house, not overwhelm it.

We love being in our little house in Italy. It is our private perch outside the Barolo hills, the perfect place for us to slow down, breathe deeply, and simply be ourselves.