This 400-year-old cottage in the Ticino district of Switzerland is located in the village of Pura. Bought by its current owners in 2013, it was gently restored with the help of Swiss designer Erica Matile. Vintage materials and eclectic furnishings give the home a really special character.

We love the mixed textures around the home. The floors are a combination of wood, brick and colorful tiles. Walls are sometimes rough hewn, and sometimes a bold splash of floral meadow or black-and-white print. Furnishings are antique, rustic and contemporary, with cool found objects and little art pieces. The dining room mixes an old wooden table with modern perspex chairs and a striking, contemporary chandelier, and the kitchen has a wonderful vintage feel. The living room is cave-like and almost monastic, with its large comfy sofa and central wood-burning stove. 

The house is built around an old staircase that links all three floors, and has a really interesting configuration of rooms. The first floor is the living room with a kitchen and loggia/terrace. The second floor is another loggia with a work space and two bedrooms (one with two singles, one with a double, plus two extra folding beds for children). The top floor is really unusual. Open on three sides, it has a cool, rustic vibe, with views of the lake and mountains. It’s almost like a world unto itself – with a dining table, lounge chairs, a hammock and a double bed, which can be used to accommodate two guests in the warmer seasons.

This is a unique vacation home for rent in Switzerland, perfect for guests looking for a home with real character and sense of fun.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

There is a TV, DVD player, docking station for iPhone / iPad / iPod, ISDN, washing machine, and everything needed to cook and eat well.

AROUND

The house is located in the historical village center of Pura, close to many hiking trails. It has three free parking spaces, two churches, a grocery store and a good pizzeria. The nearby forest is full of mushrooms and chestnut trees. The lake and golf course in Caslano are within five minutes’ reach, Ponte Tresa on the Italian border within ten minutes, and Lugano 20 minutes. A train runs every 20 minutes from Lugano to Ponte Tresa, the bus from Magliaso every hour. The train to Zurich takes 3.5 hours, but it’s 2.5 hours by car.

LOCATION

Pura, Ticino, Switzerland. Nearest airport: Zurich (2.5 hours).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year round.

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