A clever restoration has turned this rather unprepossessing semi-detached barn into a stylish, comfy space. You’re just off the busy main road and in an industrial area but you’ll be delighted to find this sandstone and cement barn with pantile roof and even happier once you’ve stepped into its cool high-raftered interior. The centre of the barn is a large open-plan living/dining room with a contemporary feel: neutral coloured sofas in front of a huge wood-burner, interesting family pieces, polished concrete stairs. At one end a wide balcony is reached by an asymmetrical staircase, at the other a mezzanine leads out to a terrace with a hot outdoor shower. The five simple, smallish bedrooms are dotted about (two doubles on the ground floor, two doubles on the mezzanine with en suite loos and a triple on the open balcony); there’s one shower room downstairs. The kitchen is a generous space for preparing feasts for all the gang; eat outside so you can lap up views over the pool to olive groves and mountains. You’re close to Palermo, some fab beaches and the Egadi Islands.
We thoroughly enjoyed our week long stay in Daniela’s large comfortable house. The gardens and pool are enchanting and big. The house is well connected too, with quick easy trips to the clean beach of Balestrate, bustling Alcamo and the temple of Segesta. But what made the trip so special was Daniela and her husband. They made us feel very welcome, greeting us with a generous basket of fresh organic produce and lots of helpful suggestions about where to eat and swim. Her home truly became our home for one special week and we hope to return soon.