A maison d’hôte in Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia

A narrow, cypress-lined country lane leads you to the burnt sienna facade of the Tuscan estate Casa Newton. Behind its walls, a treasure trove of art and design blends with the atmosphere of an intimate “Maison d’hôte,” or guesthouse, where you’re invited to live daily rhythms at a slow pace, savoring all that Casa Newton has to offer. The charming destination is nestled along the sweet, sinuous hills of the Val d’Orcia, between Montalcino and Montepulciano, only ten minutes from the charming village of Pienza, where a trip to taste Pecorino cheese is highly recommended. 

The estate was built in the mid-19th century by Gervasio Newton, a distant relative of Isaac Newton (after whom the property takes its name), but it was recently acquired by Swiss architect and interior designer Antonie Bertherat Kioes together with her husband, Philippe. The couple initially purchased a smaller cottage in 2010 (which today houses their Fabbrica Pienza winery) with the intent of making it their home, but when the opportunity to expand into the neighboring lands arose, they didn’t think twice about creating a haven for travelers. Casa Newton opened the doors in 2023. 

It took three years for Casa Newton to reach its current state; Antonie helmed the project together with Italian architect Jacopo Venerosi Pesciolini and renowned landscape artist Luciano Giubbilei. The aim was to create an inviting destination that brings together works of local and international artists to complete the remarkable interior design. 

A stone tunnel with a scarlet red neon installation by American artist Joseph Kosuth paves the way to the reception where you’re handed a key to one of eleven rooms, each named after the family members of Gervasio Newton. Within these spaces, original wood-beamed ceilings and terracotta tiles are enhanced with purpose-woven fabric walls crafted by the Venetian artisan Chiarastella Catana and custom-made, mid-century vintage furniture including bouclé, velvet and silk upholstery. Bathrooms are just as carefully curated, with local Cotto Etrusco tiles that range from emerald green to sky blue, as well as marble sinks and bathtubs and showers, some built intp the wall and others stand-alone. 

The property itself is a treasure trove of iconic designer pieces including Dedar fabric wall coverings that bring the cocktail bar and restaurant to life. In addition, you’ll find a custom-designed sofa by Antonie upholstered in Pierre Frey fabric, seamlessly integrated with the stone spiral staircase that connects the three floors. Furthermore, emblematic are the ‘70s Ico Parisi chairs that welcome guests in the reception as well as two “Committee Chairs” of Pierre Jeanneret in the Sofia Suite. The white walls also come to life, imbued with artworks by Lucio Fontana, Carla Accardi, Giosetta Fioroni, Ed Ruscha and Joseph Kosuth, as well as a five-meter sculpture by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone that stands at the entrance of the winery. 

The winery, with its 35 hectares of vineyards, also showcases contemporary design to which Antonie wished to adhere with her objectives of seamlessly integrating with the surrounding landscape. The end product is a rectangular block made of brick, wood and a large glass window from which seven labels of organically certified wines, Vermouth and Grappa are produced. 

The outdoors received just as much attention as the indoors with award-winning Tuscan born garden designer Luciano Giubbilei adding flourishes around the estate. Strolling through the antique garden is like walking through poetry; rosemary alternates with box hedges, hydrangeas and roses leading to a long, picturesque pergola. Then there’s the pool, further down the estate, reached by traversing a fragrant path lined with lavender, rosemary, daisies and rare flower species such as black Iris. The pool itself, lined with candy pink parasols, was designed as a sleek, elongated shape—as if it were pouring out onto the landscapes below. 

As the sun begins to set, walk across to La Loggia where stone arches frame the views of Pienza. A serene location to savor an aperitif before tasting chef Sara Scaramella’s cuisine at Il Cervo restaurant. Her menu is an expression of the territory, enhancing homegrown where possible, and locally sourced otherwise. This concept transcends all aspects of Casa Newton, where even the cocktails are made with high quality Tuscan spirits (hence a reduced selection); they’re even looking into keeping production in-house so, secrets spilled, they may be releasing a few spirits of their own.