Slow Style in an Italian Farmhouse: How to Start a New Life with Barbara Boyle
Happy 2025! I love the new year and the sense of starting over it brings. In this episode, I steer clear of trends and focus on a slow style approach to interior design. Instead of overwhelming yourself with big changes, I suggest sitting in each room of your home to take stock of what makes you happy and what doesn't. I encourage you to use inspirations like new hobbies, recent travels, and the desire to declutter to make meaningful transformations. The goal is to make your home reflect your evolving self and create spaces that give back to you. I also talk about my upcoming 'Master the Mix' course in February and invite you to sign up for my Slow Style Home newsletter for more personalized tips. Let's get excited about making changes that truly resonate with us this year!
Watch this entire episode on YouTube HERE
KEY TAKEAWAYS
When I first spoke with Barbara Boyle about her memoir, Pinch Me: Waking Up in a 300-Year-Old Italian Farmhouse, I was captivated. Her story of leaving behind a fast-paced career and life in San Francisco to renovate a centuries-old stone house in Northern Italy felt like the perfect embodiment of what we value at Slow Style Home. Barbara didn’t just create a beautiful space—she built a life steeped in intentionality, connection, and joy.
Through our conversation, I was struck by how her experience mirrors the principles of slow living. Here’s what I learned from Barbara’s remarkable journey, and how it can inspire all of us to create homes and lives that reflect our values.
From Ruin to Refuge: A Home with Anima
Barbara’s story began serendipitously. On her honeymoon in Europe, she and her husband stumbled upon a charming hilltop town in Northern Italy. Despite its rainy, dreary approach, the town unfolded into a landscape of rolling vineyards, snow-capped Alps, and warm, welcoming people. By their second visit, Barbara felt an undeniable pull.
When they found their future home, it was anything but move-in ready. The roof was missing, the walls crumbling, and mud covered the floors. Yet, Barbara saw potential in what others might dismiss. “The house has an anima,” her builder told her—a soul that called out to be restored. With the help of local artisans, Barbara and her husband transformed the ruin into a home that honored its history while embracing modern comforts.
This process of working with, not against, the home’s natural essence is a hallmark of slow style. Barbara’s design choices were guided by the house itself—stone walls, timbered ceilings, and locally sourced materials all became part of its renewed story.
The Heart of the Home: A Place for Connection
Barbara’s farmhouse isn’t just a building; it’s a gathering place. From the moment they arrived, the local community embraced them. Neighbors appeared with fresh pasta, garden vegetables, and even truffles. Over time, these gestures evolved into genuine friendships.
The farmhouse has become a hub for multigenerational family gatherings and visits from friends. Barbara’s thoughtful design choices—like a long, thin lap pool that replaced a planned bocce court—emphasize connection. The pool is now a favorite spot for grandchildren, friends, and family to relax and create memories.
In Barbara’s words, the farmhouse has become more than a retreat; it’s a magnet for the people she loves. “You can’t just sit around waiting for life to happen,” she said. “You have to live your life—and people adapt. The ones who love you want to be a part of it.”
Slow Living, Italian Style: Lessons from Everyday Life
One of the most profound aspects of Barbara’s story is how living in Italy reshaped her relationship with time. As she immersed herself in the rhythms of Italian life, she discovered the power of slowing down.
“Spending time in Italy was teaching me firsthand how something as primal as eating, and as simple as shopping, as essential as being part of a small community, creates a life,” she writes in her book.
In the small town she now calls home, people prioritize what matters: shared meals, meaningful conversations, and quality craftsmanship. Barbara described how her builder’s meticulous approach to stonework reflected a larger cultural ethos of doing things the right way, no matter how long it takes.
This shift toward purposeful, unhurried living isn’t just about geography—it’s a mindset. Barbara’s story reminds us to create space for joy and connection, wherever we are.
Design with Soul: A Home that Tells a Story
Barbara’s farmhouse is a living testament to the idea that homes should reflect our values, experiences, and history. Her interior style blends rustic Italian tradition with modern touches.
She shared how she and her husband restored family heirlooms, like her father’s wooden chair, and paired them with treasures from their travels, such as hand-painted ceramics from Apulia and a Murano glass chandelier. “The house told us what to do,” she said, describing how the space seemed to guide their choices.
Barbara’s approach exemplifies what we champion at Slow Style Home: embracing personal, meaningful design that tells a story. Whether it’s a Venetian watercolor in the kitchen or faded Piemonte tiles unearthed in the backyard, every element of her home carries significance.
Inspiration for Your Own Slow Style Journey
Barbara’s decision to leave the familiar behind wasn’t easy. It came with challenges, from navigating a new culture to managing long-distance family relationships. Yet, she and her husband found that this leap of faith enriched their lives in ways they never imagined.
For those of us inspired by Barbara’s journey, the lesson isn’t necessarily to move to Italy (though it’s tempting!). Instead, it’s to reimagine what home means. A slow style home is one that reflects who we are, fosters connection, and invites us to live intentionally.
Barbara’s story is a reminder that transformation starts with a single step—whether it’s renovating a room, hosting a community dinner, or simply pausing to savor a moment. As she put it, “Living like this—more slowly, more purposefully, and more enjoyably—changes who I am.”
Barbara Boyle’s journey is as much about creating a home as it is about creating a life. Her story challenges us to embrace change, cultivate community, and design spaces that reflect our deepest values. If you’re looking for inspiration to live more intentionally, I can’t recommend her book, Pinch Me, enough.
It’s not just a story about a house—it’s a story about heart, and it’s a reminder that wherever you are, slow living is within reach.
Photos Provided By: Barbara Boyle
