Stylist, photo producer, and author Annette Joseph wanted a space to expand her workshop and teaching business. What she found, or — as the Italian saying goes — the house that found her, is an 8,500 square-foot 12th century fortress in Lunigiana, Italy. 

"I knew it would be the perfect location to conduct creative workshops and retreats, and, everyone could stay on the grounds," Atlanta-based Joseph told Business Insider of the 27-acre property in northern Tuscany. The main building was once a fortress housing soldiers who protected the land. Joseph has aptly given it the name of La Fortezza, "The Fortress."