Lorraine Bracco’s Italian Renovation Adventure
Oscar and Emmy-nominated actor Lorraine Bracco seized an extraordinary opportunity in a Sicilian town: purchasing a €1 home. Now, she is sharing her renovation experience on a captivating new TV series.
Known for her roles in The Sopranos and Goodfellas, Lorraine acquired the property situated in Sambuca di Sicilia last year. This ancient hilltop town in Sicily’s western hills has become the backdrop for Lorraine’s adventure in her upcoming HGTV series, My Big Italian Adventure. The series will document her journey as she revamps her 1,075-square-foot home, one of the 16 vacant properties auctioned at an opening price of €1. This initiative aims to rejuvenate the small town by encouraging families to return and revitalize the area. However, there is a stipulation: homes must be renovated within three years.
“I believe life is an adventure,” Lorraine expressed. “When I saw the article that you could buy a house in Sambuca for €1, I jumped on it. Consequently, I flew here, purchased the house, and now I am very excited to engage with the locals and live amongst them. This is a tribute to my family roots in Sicily.”
The renovation itself poses a significant challenge. Although the €1 purchase price seems incredibly appealing, the historic home currently lacks electricity, running water, kitchens, and bathrooms. It requires extensive work due to deteriorating floors, crumbling walls, and a dilapidated roof. Lorraine is collaborating with her contractor Pietro, translator Cynthia, and a collection of local experts to initiate this ambitious project. The vision is to transform this house into a retreat filled with Sicilian-inspired decor that she can share with her family.
“This is a huge undertaking,” Lorraine admitted. “I’m not a contractor. I’m not a decorator. I’m an actress. I’ve never done this before, and I have no idea what I’m really getting into! However, I believe that everything is possible. And for €1, we’ll see!”
The new series is set to premiere on Friday, October 30 at 8 PM EST. Prepare to witness Lorraine Bracco’s journey in renovating a slice of Italy and embracing a culture rich in history and beauty.
