Renovation of a house in the Empordà
Vulpellac, Girona
The house includes characteristic features of the typical constructions of the Empordà
The sensations of country houses are enhanced through the use of natural materials and very light and serene tones
The sensations of country houses are enhanced through the use of natural materials and very light and serene tones
Among some of the havoc that the current pandemic has caused in the construction sector, the problem of having left many works halfway stands out. In the case of this house, the entire interior design part was pending, a problem that the owners resolved by calling Tinda’s Project. "We don't know what style to give it," the owners told Eva Mesa, founder of the studio. "Our job consisted of choosing colors and finishes, providing it with the furniture it lacked, decorating it and dressing it," explains the interior designer. The location of this second residence of a family with two...View more
Among some of the havoc that the current pandemic has caused in the construction sector, the problem of having left many works halfway stands out. In the case of this house, the entire interior design part was pending, a problem that the owners resolved by calling Tinda’s Project. "We don't know what style to give it," the owners told Eva Mesa, founder of the studio. "Our job consisted of choosing colors and finishes, providing it with the furniture it lacked, decorating it and dressing it," explains the interior designer.
The location of this second residence of a family with two small children and most of the construction elements already implemented marked the line to follow in the work of Tinda's Project. Although it is located in the small municipality of Vulpellac (Girona), whose old medieval center was declared a 'Cultural Asset of National Interest' (BCIN) in 2004, the house is a newly built renovated townhouse that includes characteristic features of the typical constructions of the Empordà area such as the original Catalan tuff floors, the typical Bisbal tiles and details of the Catalan vault, among others.
Mediterranean style in the countryside
With this cover letter, Tinda's Project was very clear from the outset about the style that would define the home, following the wishes of the owners who wanted, above all, to "feel at home". "It is clear that the Empordà style is reflected in the house", comments Eva Mesa, "but they also asked me for a Mediterranean style but one that would not derive in connotations of the sea, but of the countryside, although without being too rustic".
The first step carried out in the 'content' was to change the color of the walls and to enhance that natural effect that the whole house gives off, a lime treatment was implemented, with a very subtle aged finish. The result is textured walls in an off-white tone that act as a canvas on which all the necessary elements were implemented to make up this home from the same decorative thread that runs through all the floors and is based on the tones clear dotted with serene brushstrokes of color that do not alter the ambient comfort.
DISTRIBUTION BY PLANTS
Low level
Access to the house, at street level, takes place on this floor made up of the garage, a play area and a small hall from which the staircase that supports the house starts.
At this point, two of the construction elements linked to the territory are obvious: the traditional tuff floor and the two-tone rustic tiles on the front of the steps. Taking them into account, Tinda's Project chooses a bench made of natural wood and braided cattail as the main furniture and combines it with a mirror with an aged wood frame and some raffia baskets as accessories. This letter of introduction that receives the visitor already determines the decorative style that will be found in the rest of the house.
First floor
The distribution, which is the original one, was not altered and on the first floor two rooms are clearly established -living room and kitchen with office-, in a single open space, since there are no doors and it is the landing between floors of the staircase. the one that makes environmental separation. The two walls that it has on each side play with different openings to enhance a dynamic visual shot between both rooms.
"Although this floor is shown open, we managed to create a welcoming air in each one, where the feeling is one of recollection," says Eva Mesa. For this, pieces of furniture and accessories were sought that invite you to stay and enjoy each room.
In the living room, a sofa with chaise longue was used as it was placed next to the fireplace and in front of some simple wooden shelves flown to place decorative elements in order not to overload the wall.
As for the kitchen, it is distributed, on the one hand, with custom-made L-shaped furniture in a successful light tone that enhances luminosity and, on the other, the office area that Tinda's Project created from a large table made of wood that combines different seats. The main one is a bench made to measure from end to end that invites those long and pleasant after-meals that the owners enjoy every time they come with friends or family. This comfort is achieved with the selection of natural materials and finishes for textiles, lamps and chairs.
A small courtesy toilet, located in front of the stairs, complements the use of this first floor.
Second floor
This floor is reserved for the rest area with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
The main suite with integrated bathroom complies with the aesthetic line of the rest of the house, that is, a predominance of light tones with some touches of color in the textiles and the incursion of natural materials, such as the raffia of the suspended night lamps, the linen for the curtains, and the wood and wicker benches located at the foot of the bed, next to the natural fiber rug. Even for the wardrobe, the doors have been replaced by burlap or sackcloth curtains, with the idea of following this same common thread.
The children's bedroom is shared by the two children and the bed was designed to measure and aligned to the wall, which is actually the sum of two joined by an invisible headboard, so that during the day it becomes a large and comfortable seat for play. But the piece still hides another advantage and it is the third bed that it has hidden in the lower part for when a little friend is invited home, as well as a chest of drawers.
This floor includes a third guest bedroom and a full bath.
INTERIOR DESIGN KEYS
Although it is a construction element that was already originally in the house, Tinda's Project wanted to take advantage of the traditional connotations of the Catalan tuff floor that runs through all the floors to implement that typical Empordà style. How? Enhancing the sensations of country houses through the use of natural materials and very light and serene tones, without falling into the rustic, and which, in addition, project that atmosphere of relaxation and well-being that the family seeks when it settles here, far away from the bustle of the city.
Natural light also plays an important role in this idea and the luck is that the whole house enjoys it, since it has windows and French doors at both ends, which facilitates light throughout the day. Tinda's Project uses vaporous linen and cotton curtains in an off-white to filter said light without detracting from it.
Because the views of the garden or the natural surroundings of the town are part of the charm of the house and, as a wink, all the carpentry and their respective traditional external roller shutters were chosen in green, the only color license that is more risqué than stands out in the whole and that is more than justified. In addition, it is combined with the use of tiles of the same tone, both in the courtesy toilet and on the steps of the stairs, and also in the presence of natural plants in various corners of the house.
Also noteworthy is the use of natural fiber rugs in all rooms, either to delimit spaces or to provide warmth and comfort and cover that original flooring that adds so much value to interior design.
In general, the sum of all these elements that Tinda's Project has worked on in the project, makes the house represent a true haven of peace, thereby fulfilling all the wishes requested by the owners.
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