Italian farmhouse

Why did you decide to move permanently?
'The more we got to know the place and the people, the more we felt we wanted to be here all the time - Peter and I found it increasingly difficult each time we headed back to England. We hated rush-hour traffic and the hectic pace of life back home. However, apart from our youngest son, we knew the other children wouldn't have settled here. It's a bit too quiet for them - especially as their friends, studies and careers were all in the UK. Once our fourth child was at university and our youngest boy was happy to complete his schooling in Rome, we packed up for good. 'I subsequently established my own practice in therapeutic consultancy, working three days a week in Rome, and Peter had retired by then. Between us, we felt we were in a very good position to develop our holiday-home letting business.'

Describe your style
'I'd say we have a slightly eclectic mix here. Apart from the cream sofas, which are Italian, most of the remaining pieces of furniture are either antiques or junk-shop finds that we brought back with us from the UK. We also have lots of pictures and books from Peter's home in Cyprus. It's quite a mix-and-match approach and things just seem to evolve.'

What do you miss most about living in the UK?
'Sometimes I feel it would be lovely to pop in on friends or family on the spur of the moment. Or occasionally, it would be nice to dress up and go out to the theatre. But the great thing is that friends and family love to visit us here and overall we actually get to spend more time with them this way. My daughter got married last year and there was never any doubt that the wedding would take place here. The sun shone, the dancing went on until the small hours and everyone had a lovely time. And if ever we feel like we need a little urban sophistication, Rome isn't all that far away.'

What's next on the agenda?
'Although the work to all four buildings has been done, there is always something to do. It's a constant job keeping the three properties suitable for holiday lets. recently, we landscaped the gardens around the pool, but there's still quite a bit to do. As to the future, we don't know what lies ahead, but I can't ever envisage wanting to leave this place.'

See inside the Italian farmhouse