When it comes to locations, Villa Poli’s is hard to beat. Half an hour north of Rome yet set in the lush Italian countryside, it is away from the tourists and only five minutes’ drive from the volcanic Lake Bracciano - full of clean, pure mineral water and perfect for swimmers. Yet, lest it all sounds too idyllic, Hanne and Patrick Poli are only too happy to tell you that the villa has seen more than its fair share of problems. “When we found it, there was no water, plumbing or electricity, and the building itself was an ugly modern structure – just four stone pillars with a flat roof on top - totally devoid of character.” But, won over by its venue and anxious to enjoy a better quality of life, this Scandinavian-Italian took the plunge and became its owners. For interior-designer Hanne, the building’s less-than-lovely appearance was more of a plus than a minus, “We’d previously lived in Amsterdam, where I’d built up a reputation as the woman who said, ‘it’s hideous – we must have it!’ whenever she viewed potential homes. As far as I’m concerned, the uglier the better - after all, it’s a lot more interesting to try and make something beautiful out of something unappealing than it is to simply deal with perfection.”