The Reworked Country Home
Renewing a home without erasing its memory
The ambition behind this renovation was not to modernise a country house by removing its past, but to reveal its potential for contemporary living. While the original villa offered generous proportions and timeless character, its layout no longer reflected the way the owners wanted to live. Large rooms lacked purpose, the kitchen occupied a secluded corner, and the house felt disconnected from the daily rituals of family life.
The transformation began by placing the kitchen at the heart of the home. No longer hidden away, it became the social centre around which cooking, dining and conversation naturally unfold. This single intervention redefined the flow of the ground floor, creating a more intuitive relationship between the living spaces while allowing the house to adapt effortlessly to both quiet family moments and larger gatherings.
Just as important was deciding what to preserve. The original fireplace was retained and reframed within a contemporary architectural composition, while centuries-old timber beams remained untouched, carrying the history and authenticity of the house into its next chapter. Rather than competing with these existing elements, the new design allows them to become defining features of the interior.
The owners' private suite was repositioned on the ground floor, opening towards the garden and creating a calm retreat. Upstairs, guest bedrooms provide independence and privacy, ensuring the house feels equally comfortable whether occupied by two people or a full house of visitors.
Material choices reflect the same balance between beauty and practicality. Taj Mahal quartzite introduces the richness of natural stone while offering the durability required for everyday use. Throughout the interior, carefully considered detailing and natural materials create warmth without excess.
The result is not a different house, but a better version of the one that was already there—a home where history remains visible, yet every space now supports the rhythm of contemporary life.
