Displaying posts labeled "Rustic"

Taking an old structure and, restoring the beautiful original details while giving it an eccentric modern vibe in the decor is something I gravitate towards and I am doing with my own home. Rome based interior designer Ilaria Miani takes this to another level with her spaces. Miani’s passion for restoring abandoned farmhouses, palaces and villages is inspired first and foremost by the building itself. A bit of colored plaster still holding onto a crumbling wall; a stone niche carved by ancient hands; or the sagging massive wooden beams that once supported an existence that has long since faded are her starting points. Tiles are handcrafted of clay and baked in nearby kilns; tables and beds are forged with the same hammers that have been used for generations; and chairs carved by carpenters using ancient tools. The landscape too, informs and inspires. Whether it is the rolling hills of Tuscany, the gentle waters of a Venetian canal or the cobbled streets of Rome, Miani’s treatments speak the same language, evoking and reinterpreting a timeless language. While Miani’s creations are rooted in the past, they are very much a thing of the present. Her own designs – modern, sleek and colorful – encompass every detail of her projects. From the chairs and the lamps to the forks and the linens, the effortless casual sophistication that has become her trademark, creates a uniquely cohesive whole.

Pair an 1887 farmhouse in the Italian countryside with architecture firm MIDE and you get an incredible mix of modern and rustic. Maintaining the original stone, brick and chestnut wood exterior, inside natural lime plaster was applied on the walls to highlight irregularities, original beams were exposed and ceilings bleached. The result is a dreamy blend of old and new.

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.