Located in the Piacenza hills outside Milan, Villa Chiesuola is an imposing structure with a private chapel, an enclosed courtyard, and more than 20,000 square feet of living space. "The house was built in the seventeenth century to house a convent, then transformed into a country residence in the nineteenth century, and finally inherited by my husband in a state of complete 'abbandano,' " owner Marina Sinibaldi Benatti says.
In overhauling the interiors, Benatti came up against numerous challenges (the layout features dozens of small bedrooms arrayed off a corridor; and there was an absence of large living spaces). She transformed the former nuns' bedrooms into a series of thematically rooms; some spare and modern, others featuring traditional Italian furniture and design. During the renovation process, Benatti, who has worked in fashion, textiles, and jewelry design, found her metier; today she works almost entirely to interior design. "The choice was inevitable, given that the restructuring of Chiesuola began a decade ago and involved me—or rather overwhelmed me—full time."
To see more of her work, go to Marina Sinibaldi Benatti.
![700 dolce vita courtyard](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/01-2013/700_dolce-vita-courtyard.jpg)
Above: A view of the courtyard.
![700 marble countertop italian green dish soap](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/01-2013/700_marble-countertop-italian-green-dish-soap.png)
Above: A corner of the kitchen, with an original marble sink. Benatti describes the project as a "labor of love and do-it-yourself design."
![700 marina dining room glasses](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/01-2013/700_marina-dining-room-glasses.jpg)
Above: Touches of modernity (steel shelves, L, and a modern fireplace surround) added by Benatti.
![700 la chiesuola 7](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/01-2013/700_la-chiesuola-7.jpg)
Above: A small dining room.
![700 marina living room white chairs](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/01-2013/700_marina-living-room-white-chairs.jpg)
Above: A seating area with reupholstered vintage pieces.
![700 marina mirror cupboards](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/01-2013/700_marina-mirror-cupboards.jpg)
Above: A trio of mirrored armoires anchors the study.
![700 marina hallway bath](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/01-2013/700_marina-hallway-bath.jpg)
Above: Throughout the interiors, Benatti contrasts new with old.
![700 la chiesuola 1](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/01-2013/700_la-chiesuola-1.jpg)
Above: A dramatic red bedroom.
![700 la chiesuola 2](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/01-2013/700_la-chiesuola-2.jpg)
Above: A guest bedroom with sectional sofa.
![700 la chiesuola 6](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/01-2013/700_la-chiesuola-6.jpg)
Above: A classic Italian bedroom with traditional furniture.
![700 dolce vita green bath](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/01-2013/700_dolce-vita-green-bath.jpg)
Above: A dramatically tiled shower room with velvet-upholstered midcentury chairs.
![700 la chiesuola 10](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/01-2013/700_la-chiesuola-10.jpg)
Above: A bathing room with stone floor.
![700 la chiesuola 16](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/01-2013/700_la-chiesuola-16.jpg)
Above: Another view of the stark, stone-tiled bath.
![700 dolce vita porch](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/01-2013/700_dolce-vita-porch.jpg)
Above: An outdoor dining area featuring a pair of Ikea wicker pendants.
![700 dolce vita pool 10](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/01-2013/700_dolce-vita-pool-10.jpg)
Above: Benatti transformed an old irrigation tank into a swimming pool with shower.
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