Page 85 - Designing Ways 280

and put back down as tiles. Arches and wooden beams and even the
large vaulted hall, in the other various rooms have been treated to a
new look, thanks to the clever use of surfaces and a combination of
natural materials such as marble, travertine, teak and walnut wood.
The ground floor rooms are large, which was normal for the period,
and designed for entertaining: the double living area is double-height
with a fascinating cross vaulted ceiling. The typically Tuscan kitchen
has been renovated, introducing a contrast between the warm hues
of teak, with its artisan allure, and the refined colours of stone for a
linear, more contemporary feel. The dining room, with its three arched
windows looking out onto the surrounding landscape, includes a
staircase in wood and Corten designed by Pierattelli Architetture.

Colours, shapes and materials have all been chosen to meet the
project specifications. Most of the furnishings were designed by the
architects: in the bathroom and living area where the reading room
houses a large geometric bookcase in Canaletto walnut with brushed
brass metal sides and shelves lit by indirect light. On the mezzanine
floor, where rooms such as the home theatre and a hi-fi room have
been added, a bookcase designed to house a professional sound
system stands out. The striking master bedroom on the first floor
opens to embrace views of the Tuscan hills, onto the loggia with a
private, elegant, outdoor living room. A Canaletto walnut wood
staircase with a clear parapet designed by Pierattelli Architetture lends
character to the master bedroom, the flooring here too in reclaimed
wood arranged in tiles with an Indian Teak border. Attention to detail
is also evident in the Canaletto walnut wood panelling on the ceiling
and walls, where a hidden door leads to the walk-in wardrobe. For
relaxation and wellness, a gym with sauna has been built in the
basement. On the third floor and reached by an extension of the
existing indoor staircase, the attic is a guest flat with skylighted
bedroom, bathroom and living area. This space was created by
construction of a new steel floor slab that passes through most of the
first floor, making it possible to increase the villa’s surface area.

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