Casa de las Flores

Love at First Sight Rescues a Century-Old Farmhouse

It took just one look for interior designer and owner Curra Rios to snap up this 100-year-old property and set out on a loving but arduous two-year restoration. It started from the top down, with the main objective being to preserve the most critical infrastructure, the century-old chestnut roof. As luck would have it, a local contractor on the cusp of retirement took it on, preserving the ancient timbers, the original silhouette of the tree, and ultimately, the bones that anchor the home and its history.

The project integrates the charm and simplicity of the original rural farms of the region, with a firm respect for its past and a gentle intervention that celebrates the span of time.

Settled into the Oscos-Eo Nature Preserve just off of a small rural road, this house is ideal for guests wanting to experience rural Galicia. Tucked into a small village, with neigbors nearby, it's a simple space that has been kept intentionally rustic. The house integrates the features of the original structure with a crisp modern update that highlights the contrasts.

The living room draws your eyes to the magnificent timbered ceilings and shares the space with the dining area and a step-up modern kitchen with an original early 20th-century wood-burning stove. Upstairs are two double bedrooms, a bunk bedroom that's ideal for kids, and there is an additional one-bedroom apartment-style room.

The house has an interior patio, with a small terrace for alfresco dining.

AROUND

Located in the heart of the Oscos-Eo Nature Preserve, halfway between the interior and the coast, this area of Galicia allows for fascinating exploration of the northern reaches of the country. The closest town, A Pontenova is a five-minute walk (via a pathway) and has a nice selection of shops and cafes to taste a little of the local flavor, and there are hiking trails within a few minutes.

Several of the best Atlantic beaches are within a 30-minute drive, including the famous Cathedrals Beach. The bustling port town of Ribadeo is a 30-minute drive, and the nearby Roman fortress city of Lugo with its pedestrian-friendly squares and streets is one of the region's most fascinating.

Surrounded by mountains and national parks just an hour from the sea, it’s a quiet and lush network of valleys, rich in natural beauty, culture, and gastronomy.


LOCATION

A Pontenova, Galicia, Spain. Nearest airport: La Coruña (Galicia) and Avilés (Asturias); Bilbao International (429km), Porto/Portugal (370km).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring through fall for the best weather, but the region is quiet and relatively tourist-free throughout the year.