SPAIN, Part 2: Trasierra

Trasierra may be the most inherently stylish place I have ever visited. A former private house lovingly rebuilt, restored and redecorated by English ex-pat Charlotte Scott, it sits on a 450 acre site just 30 miles north of Seville. The house has everything you need - chic, cozy rooms done up in a mixture of English chintz, Spanish pottery and classic antiques; fantastic home cooked food using fresh fruit and vegetables from their massive kitchen garden; and most importantly, a laid back and personal vibe that has you feeling you're staying in someone's home, rather than in a hotel. Perhaps my favorite thing about the house is that it skips the inessentials, namely TV's, telephones and computers.

After two solid months of packing and unpacking, we arrived at Trasierra on the night of Coco's 11th birthday ready for some downtime. We were encouraged to jump in the pool before dinner, even though we arrived at 10pm - early for dinner by Spanish standards. We then had a fantastic dinner on the terrace under a canopy of wisteria. Charlotte's daughter Gioconda, whom we'd never met before, presented Coco with a homemade flourless chocolate birthday cake and a lovely summer dress from the chic gift shop (I'll have to do an entirely separate post on practically buying out the entire gift shop). We couldn't have felt more welcome, and by the next morning, more relaxed. We had 4 blissful days of pampered do-nothingness.

I can't wait to return again and again.

Trasierra

Everywhere you look are old olive oil vats, used as decoration.

Our lovely bedroom.

The breakfast room, decorated with Charlotte's collection of vintage straw bags.

One of the many walking paths.

The private section of the house, where the Scotts continue to live.

My new sunglasses from The Row (on Zach).

The lunch room. It's hard for me not to love any room with kumquat trees in it.

I love the combination of dry and lush in the landscape and trees.

The driveway leading up to the house.

After a rain drenched summer in England, I finally got to wear my favorite new summer dress from J.Crew.

The steps leading to our bedroom.

Our dinner terrace. We ate here every night. So lovely.

The local swimming hole. The prettiest one I've seen. I am a sucker for oleander - I usually love the ones with white flowers, but in Spain the pink looked especially pretty.

Relief from the heat! 

TOMORROW I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT HORSEBACK RIDING WITH THE GYPSIES....