Casa Zahar: A Sustainable Villa in Sicily
Tucked into the wild beauty of western Sicily, Casa Zahar is more than a place to stay – it is an immersive experience. Brought to life by Francesco and Caterina, husband-and-wife duo born and raised in Sicily, the villa embodies slow living, sustainability, and Sicilian heritage. Zahar, derived from the Arabic word zahr meaning "flower" or "blossom," honours the cultural exchange during Sicily’s Arab rule. The orange blossom (Zahar or Zagara in Sicilian), a fragrant symbol of the island’s agricultural legacy, inspired the villa’s name.
Listed on Airbnb, Casa Zahar is a true labor of love, where every detail tells a story, each material carries memory, and every space harmonizes with nature.
Design on Their Own Terms
Rejecting conventional architectural templates, the couple took full creative control, designing a space that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in culture. The villa blends modern aesthetics with the patina of the past, celebrating time-worn textures, and repurposing family heirlooms into functional design elements. These touches are intimately connected to Pantelleria, the Sicilian island where Francesco and Caterina married, while also showcasing the family's undeniable artistic talent.
Living Spaces in Harmony with Nature
Divided across two levels, each with a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms, and a living area, the villa offers both privacy and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. The upper level opens onto a covered terrazza with uninterrupted mountain views, ideal for enjoying a golden hour aperitivo. The lower level extends into a covered outdoor dining area, perfect for family-style meals. Here, a handcrafted nassa – a traditional fishing trap turned statement light fixture – casts a warm glow, carrying the evening into late-night conversation and card games.
The Outdoor Experience: A Natural Extension
The outdoor spaces immerse guests in nature. The saltwater pool, with its swim-up bar, forms the heart of this sanctuary. Sunbeds sit beneath lush greenery, and the air is filled with the scent of jasmine warmed by the sun. A secluded lower-level lounge offers the perfect escape for quiet morning coffee or after-hours drinks under a sky full of stars.
Just steps from the outdoor kitchen is a hidden open-air dining space nestled beneath ancient olive trees. Surrounded by rosemary bushes and a garden abundant with zucchini, grapes, tomatoes, eggplant, lettuce, figs, prickly pear, and watermelon (the list goes on), it offers a true farm-to-table experience where guests can harvest fresh produce directly from the land. Here, meals are slow, seasonal, intimate, and deeply connected to the earth.
Materials That Tell a Story
One of the most intriguing elements of the villa is the Pastella di Pantelleria, a design choice inspired by the island where the couple married. This unique lime-based material, crafted by skilled workers from Pantelleria, is durable, resisting sun, water, and frost and runs throughout the villa’s interior and exterior floors as well as throughout the bathrooms extending to the shower walls. Despite its toughness, Pastella absorbs the marks of daily life, bearing the imprint of shared meals, spilled drinks, and storms weathered, giving soul to the environment. Francesco and Caterina encourage guests to walk barefoot, grounding themselves in nature and embracing Casa Zahar with all their senses, leaving their mark.
The staircase – a stunning, unexpected installation of art leads to the upper level. Hand painted ceramic tiles from Catania in the style of Sicilian artist Giovanni De Simone were created custom for the villa where each step depicts a story rooted in Sicilian heritage and the couple’s story. Paintings including scenes of Palermo’s iconic Ballaró market, fishermen at the Castellamare port paying homage to the sea town where Francesco grew up, Greek temples and orange trees of Segesta celebrating the island's rich history and abundant citrus, Erice, the enchanting medieval town where Caterina was born, and of course, Pantelleria, the magical island and inspiration behind Casa Zahar.
Art + Craftsmanship: A Family Affair
Casa Zahar is a celebration of art, family heirlooms, repurposed materials, and objects collected over years of travel.
Caterina’s uncle, a master craftsman, hand-made every wooden table. The raw edge side tables rest on iron feet repurposed from antique beds passed down to Francesco’s great grandparents, dating back to the late 1800s. Moroccan textiles were hauled through narrow streets and airports back to Sicily in tightly rolled bundles by the couple, and later transformed into outdoor poufs filled with old clothing. Caterina vividly retold this story laughing at the absurdity of it but proud of the sustainable design choice that adds texture and warmth to the atmosphere.
A striking fish sculpture by Caterina’s cousin and artist Angelo di Bernardo, adds a playful nod to Sicily’s deep-rooted relationship with the sea, while a mirror framed with olive tree roots was crafted by Caterina’s mother and a local carpenter. Australian Indigenous tapestry and other gifts from friends are fixed to the walls telling a story of distant landscapes, bridging worlds within this Sicilian escape.
The Magic of Casa Zahar
There is something undeniably magnetic about Casa Zahar. Just minutes from the lively town of Castellammare and a short drive from Sicily’s most breathtaking beaches, the villa itself is a true destination. Thoughtful design, natural beauty, generational craftsmanship and warm hospitality come together to create an atmosphere of pure magic – one that leaves an impression long after you’ve gone. It’s a feeling that neither photos nor words can fully capture. The magic is in the experience and the people you share it with – a place to slow down and, perhaps, never want to leave.
Reserve your 2025 stay directly through Airbnb and enjoy an exclusive 10% discount when you mention Curù Skin. Offer valid for bookings from April 1 – June 15 and from September 15 – November 30.