As a boy, while classmates tackled French lessons, I filled notebooks with dream house sketches – blueprints for future havens where my imagination longed to reside. These weren’t mere doodles; they were intricate visions of spaces tailored to my every desire, from hidden nooks for reading adventures to soaring ceilings that seemed to touch the sky. Each design reflected a yearning for a sanctuary that resonated with my soul, a place where I could truly be myself. Life, as it does, took me on a detour, delaying those plans for decades. The path wound through unexpected careers, travels, and experiences that, while enriching, kept my childhood dream tucked away, waiting for the right moment to resurface. Now, decades later, I’m thrilled to share the journey of bringing this vision to life: the creation of Villa Milena.

This blog will chronicle the adventure of building Villa Milena. It’s more than just a construction project; it’s a deeply personal odyssey of turning a long-held aspiration into a tangible reality. It begins with the search for land, a quest filled with both excitement and challenges. I’ll delve into the allure of the chosen location, the subtle nuances of the landscape, and the practical considerations that ultimately solidified my decision. I’ll explore the site’s history, its unique characteristics, and how I envisioned the house nestled within its embrace. From there, I’ll explore how childhood dreams evolved into the design process. This stage involved translating those youthful sketches into architectural blueprints, a complex but incredibly rewarding process of refining and expanding upon those early concepts. I’ll discuss the inspiration behind the design choices, the collaboration with architects, and the inevitable revisions and refinements that shaped the final plans. Finally, I’ll guide you through the steps to turn those drawings into reality. This will encompass the entire construction phase, from laying the foundation to raising the walls, selecting materials, and navigating the myriad of decisions that come with building a home. I’ll share the triumphs, the setbacks, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way, offering a glimpse into the intricate and often unpredictable world of construction.