Displaying posts labeled "Rustic"

This is about as rustic as it gets. Among stone walls and olive groves deep within the countryside of Salento, Southern Italy this 18th century home of architect Luca Zanaroli and his family is absolutely breathtaking. The simplicity of the interior draws your attention to the beauty of the architecture inside and the exterior beauty of the stone surrounded by lush vegetation. (Photos: Max Zambelli)

I have fallen in love with this 18th century apartment in the heart of Le Marais, Paris. Designed by interior architect Margaux Beja, it is a stunning blend of old-world and modern. With a Scandinavian feel, this space is cozy and bright. A beautiful walnut wall hides spaces like the laundry and bathroom, and a glass wall separates the bedroom from main living space allowing light to flow through. It is pretty much perfection.  

Photos: Alexis Cottin + Julien Fernandez

I spent Friday daydreaming of a hotel in Paris. Today I’ve run away to Greece, to the island of Mykonos, to a beach club and restaurant that takes my breath away. Simplicity and beauty and luxury. A truly stunning location and a truly stunning complex. Scorpios Mykonos.

OMG I am in love. You all know how much we love a good conversion….. This award-winning conversion of an 18th century threshing barn, dairy and stables by London architecture and interior design firm Liddicoat & Goldhill is un-freaking-believable. Our task was to combine the quality of the surviving barn fragments with the texture and tone of their found materials. To maintain the barn’s brooding presence – and to provide security and a sense of protection from rolling Channel mists – the barn is usually kept in a closed state. However, industrial-scale kinetic mechanisms create openings that address key views into the countryside. Massive, insulated shutters recall the original barn doors, and protect a vast rotating window operated by an adapted chain-lift. To the East front, an American aircraft-hangar door allows the exterior to concertina upwards, creating a canopy over the dining terrace and revealing ribbon glazing within. A single rooflight, running the length of the main roof’s ridge provides steady ambient light to the living spaces.  

Imagine an old tumble-down stone barn near Todi in Umbria, Italy. Imagine it fully rebuilt, stylishly furnished and waiting for you to come visit. Two suites, “Love” and “Passion”, private garden, pool, olive grove, slow tourism. Locanda di Doris is the beautiful B&B created by Doris Sochaczewski and Valentino Fialdini. She’s Brazilian with European soul and he’s half Italian half Brazilian. Both are artists, stylists, food and wine lovers and trend watchers. No wonder the inn is so fabulous. I’m ready to book my flight. Trouble is I don’t think I’d want to leave.

Photography by Valentino Fialdini.