The Italian city has a reputation for being gray, but its architecture is far from dull.

It’s got the tower, stucco exterior and the arched doors and windows. It’s perched high up on a hill overlooking three acres. And it’s spacious -- at more than 6,000 square feet.

So when a friend was about to demo the interior of their 19th-century Victorian home, it was practically a given that I’d be the first to offer to take the vintage chandeliers and light fixtures off ...

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. If Italian homes are renowned for their warm welcome, Villa Colucci in Puglia may have the edge. Here, you ...