Precision and creative design, along with a merger of languages and unexpected atmospheres: here is the double soul of the Italian firm.” Established in Milan in 1999 and in Shanghai in 2012, the ...

1. Lamb's ear In Tuscany, lamb’s ear grew beautifully in the gravel garden, where it happily crawled along the ground with little care needed, and no additional water or supplemental feed.

Around back, Tong has created garden spaces inspired by her trips to Tuscany. A square pond, with dripping Little and Lewis columns, holds pride of place, flanked by four boxwood-hedged beds.

All of them are a 10-minute walk to the restaurant (below), which is terrific, by the way, one of the best meals THD had on a two-week swing through Tuscany. Then there's room 9, which perches on ...