Palladian Days: Finding A New Life In A Venetian Country House (2005) - Plot & Excerpts
It takes a lot of determination to do what the Gables (and the Rushes before them) did. They bought not just any villa in Italy, but one of the supreme villas by one of the most noted Renaissance architects. Owning this house becomes a career and the Gables shoulder it with love. The book has many b & w photos, but for a better look, Google "Palladio" (boglewood should appear in the top links) for color photos which are more striking. This site, by the Gable's son, has even more info on Palladio and his villas.Each morning it takes 30 minutes to open the 44 heavy shutters and another 30 to bolt them at night. The Gables hire someone who can make the rounds in 20 minutes. Other needs of the house: a working kitchen, leaks in the roof and moisture in the floor, rewiring (I think it took 3 weeks), scorpion eradication (which is minimized in text but took 3 years), a conversion from septic to city sewage similarly take time and outside help.While two authors are credited, it is clearly Sally's voice. The book is divided into short essays, each devoted to a topic. Many of them stand on their own, and could be published elsewhere for other purposes. For instance, the visit to the archives, clearly makes readers appreciate the research that goes into historical writing. Other vignettes describe friends, Venetian glass, the Cornaros, the frescoes, other Palladio villas at a visit from Bob Vila etc.We learn that actual costs are higher or lower than estimates or expectations but there are no stated amounts. Whatever the costs, it's clear, to embark on such a project you need devotion, flexibility and deep pockets.This is a delightful book. If you are not interested in Palladian architecture when you start it, you will be when you're done.
A very pleasant, enjoyable "getaway" book about a couple who buys a classic villa in southern Italy. The 500-year-old house was designed by Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, and it is remarkably intact and in good shape. The Gables, from Atlanta, kind of get a Frances Mayes feeling to get an Italian home, but luckily they don't have to completely overhaul like she does. And theirs is a huge vacation home, not just a nice cabin or second home to get away to; they started looking into homes like that, but that's not at all what they ended up with. They tell their children they wrote this book to explain "where the inheritance went." Even though it's beyond the means of most readers to even imagine being able to buy a second home in Italy, let alone a historical treasure and one on such a grand scale, this is still mostly a kind of down-to-earth book. The usual roof problems, kitchen redos, leaks, squeaks, things breaking any homeowner faces. The book is also not a big to-do about how their life is SO different, etc.; it's not a cookbook; it's just a nice little yarn about life in a very pleasant place with new and pleasant friends.
What do You think about Palladian Days: Finding A New Life In A Venetian Country House (2005)?
Not only did I read this fascinating book, but actually had the prilvledge to meet the Gables in person on a recent trip to Italy! My husband and I had discovered the joy of renting a car and driving all over the country. We found Pallazo Cornaro and just happened to make the last tour of this amazing country home. Mrs. Gable took me on a little tour of my own and I knew and understood immediately how one can fall in love with a home and want to preserve it for others to see. This book is a must read for anyone who loves Italy and especially fans of Palladian architecture! I felt as though I was walking through time...wish I could have stayed forever.
—Kelly Sakrison
