My love affair with Italy began when I was 12 years old when I spent the first of my summer holidays here with my family and I have frequented Italy ever since. Born in London and having lived and worked in and around London all my life, I set my sights on retiring to Italy one day.  'One day' came in 2004, way ahead of retirement, and I upped sticks, moving my family and dog into an ugly, old farmhouse in Gualdo which was crying out for an overhaul and a bit of tlc. At the same time I bought another little old farmhouse which was to be my 'project'.  The little farmhouse has been renovated, made available for summer lets for 2 years and has since been sold.  We are now in the throes of renovating a large, old farmhouse, have built  a new house where an old garage once stood and an enormous garage where a hill once stood and have turned a pig sty into a beautiful pool house.  The work continues and in the meantime I am helping others realise their dreams. 

Shortly after arriving in Le Marche I met another newcomer to the region, Barry another builder from London.  In all the years we had both worked in London (we both knew by name all the main suppliers and could share a list of business contacts) our paths had never crossed until now. Perhaps that's the way it's meant to be because since then we have collaborated on almost every commission we have been offered.  Between us we make a pretty formidable and well informed team.