The project consisted in literally flipping the house by changing its layout, removing some mezzanines, increasing the floor to ceiling height on the first floor, adding natural light through the addition of openings on the facades and the roof, and choosing light tone materials and rustic and natural textures. The main entrance of the farm and gardens have changed, porches have been added to the facades, which now are open towards the views. The stones on the facade have been restored and homogenized, new shutters and windows were added, and trees, shrubs, vines and flowers were planted. In essence, providing elegance and character to the whole.

The previously renovated house had a distribution and spaces that did not meet the requirements of our client. Hence, the main purpose of the project, aside from meeting the needs of the new landlord, was to recover and clean up the original farmhouse. To remove those decorative elements that were out of context and time period, in other words, a general make over that begun at the façade and ended with the last detail. A work of aesthetics’ refreshment, to achieve a rural-contemporary vibe.

The project modified the entrance of the farmhouse, freeing a large space where the old entrance was located to create a second living room. The main entrance was located on a facade where there used to be a small secondary exit framed with large original wooden doors. A small hallway was created as a foyer of the lobby to serve as a large distribution hall. One of the boldest interventions of the project is the relocation of the staircase, allowing to exposes a beautiful Catalan vault. It is an architectural feature located on the ground floor that is very typical of these farmhouses, and covering the ceiling of this room with a single span. The staircase was relocated on a lateral side, and a skylight was placed above to provide it with natural light. This space, where the old entrance used to be, became the main dining room, where a large travertine marble table was placed.

The connection between the living room and the dining room was resolved with a small distributor-room that leads to a guest bedroom and a powder room. This small distributor resolves the circulation and the link between two large spaces on the ground floor, by connecting the living room, dining room, and kitchen.

The kitchen and breakfast area are adjacent to the garden and the porch with a large summer dining room. The kitchen counters where made in masonry and marble, reminiscent of the old kitchens found in these farmhouses, yet with the size and comfort of a contemporary kitchen.

Another goal of the project was to recover the original ceilings – both on the ground and first floors – whenever it was possible, and apply natural finishes such as lime paint. On the upper floor, a large demolition including suspended ceilings and mezzanines was executed, because it made the rooms feel smaller and were obstructing the structural beauty of this farmhouse with its original wooden beams.

The materials chosen were natural and traditional, yet still up-to-date, providing a simple, elegant and comfortable essence, in addition to natural stones, lime finishes, linen fabrics, oak and walnut woods, and natural fibers in jute and coconut.

A successful Project cannot be achieved without a good client who understands, supports and finishes the work.

In this case, the art work was chosen and placed by the owner, giving it the finishing touch to embellish the final result.

It was, indeed, a very rewarding commission.