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Lake Como Houzz: A Remote Renovation to a Historical Italian Home
This architect was tasked with renovating an 11th-century bishop's residence in Lake Como, Italy, for clients in England
It all started with a phone call: an English family was browsing Houzz for an architect to lead their renovation project in Italy. Seeing Paola Favretto’s profile, they decided to call her right away. Their first chat led to another, and another; the client and the architect wrote to each other, talked on the phone, shared photos and ideas, and finally met up at the home they wished to renovate in the historical centre of Nesso in the province of Como, a lakeside idyll in northern Italy. The project was to convert part of a historical structure, dating back to the eleventh century, into a holiday home.
The building has been renovated several times over the centuries, most recently in the 1980s when it was converted into a bed and breakfast. Today, it is divided into three separate apartments, including this family’s new holiday home. The owners plan to rent the property out when they are not using it.
Thinking of renovating? Find a local interior designer who has experience with your local council, and get in touch to see what’s possible for your home
Thinking of renovating? Find a local interior designer who has experience with your local council, and get in touch to see what’s possible for your home
The client and architect continued to work together remotely. “We worked over photos, emails, and phone calls. The owners only came to Nesso three times, essentially to decide on materials in person. We shared the rest of our ideas at a distance – the process was really fluid and straightforward,” says Favretto.
The most important structural work was to remove the wall that divided the kitchen and the living area. The connection between the two spaces is now more fluid, with a sliding glass door that allows light through and creates an airier feel.
The dining area before works.
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The dining area after works.
A mirrored wall behind the dining table and the porcelain tiling throughout the home, which was inspired by the textures and colours of wood, further brighten the space. The open-plan zone now embraces the kitchen, which opens right onto the dining and living areas.
A mirrored wall behind the dining table and the porcelain tiling throughout the home, which was inspired by the textures and colours of wood, further brighten the space. The open-plan zone now embraces the kitchen, which opens right onto the dining and living areas.
Separating the kitchen from the dining area is a sliding glass door with an inner panel of linen fabric to make it more opaque.
Browse more beautiful kitchens with black accents
Browse more beautiful kitchens with black accents
Favretto also removed the old fireplace, connecting the chimney to a new wood-burning stove for warmth. Before the renovation, the living area had a more rustic look in terms of both colours and style.
Along with the existing radiator heating system, the new wood-burning stove guarantees comfortable temperatures while creating a cosy feel.
Favretto developed a custom plan for the seating in the living area. She created a shelf behind the sofas that continues along the wall to become a TV stand, a table top, storage space, and a bookcase.
“The custom piece is made in wood and painted RAL 9010 white [RAL is a European colour-matching system], and fits to the old walls’ non-right-angle corners. Everything was made by the carpenters at Idee su Misura di Fabio Giai Levra,” says the interior designer. The sketch below shows how the custom seating wraps around the entire living space.
“The custom piece is made in wood and painted RAL 9010 white [RAL is a European colour-matching system], and fits to the old walls’ non-right-angle corners. Everything was made by the carpenters at Idee su Misura di Fabio Giai Levra,” says the interior designer. The sketch below shows how the custom seating wraps around the entire living space.
An illustration of the new living area.
The private part of the apartment has a main bedroom and another double bedroom. Here, Favretto focused on adding a new bathroom, changing up the composition of the spaces, and improving the connection between the bedrooms and bathrooms.
The hallway first leads to the main bedroom with its wardrobe and ensuite bathroom. Light floral fabrics give the space character. They were chosen in collaboration with Corsini Finiture d’Interni di Salò, an Italian company that was also responsible for the curtains and other textiles throughout the home.
The hallway first leads to the main bedroom with its wardrobe and ensuite bathroom. Light floral fabrics give the space character. They were chosen in collaboration with Corsini Finiture d’Interni di Salò, an Italian company that was also responsible for the curtains and other textiles throughout the home.
The spacious ensuite features a blue vanity and a walk-in shower. The wall is finished in large-format tiles.
Mirroring the main bedroom, the double room is particularly bright thanks to a window and French doors that open onto a covered terrace.
The second bathroom has a spacious shower, too. To create visual cohesion, the fabric effect on the porcelain tiles mirrors the headboard in the main bedroom.
Your turn
Which features in this historical home do you love? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
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Your turn
Which features in this historical home do you love? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Take a virtual trip to England with this beautiful London Houzz: A Tiny Cottage Gets a Bright, Space-Enhancing Reno
Who lives here: An English family with three children use this property as a holiday home
Location: Nesso, Italy
Size: 100 square metres
Year it was built: The original structure was built on the site of a church dating to around the turn of the last millennium, and was restored in the 1980s
Year renovated: 2019
Interior designer: Paola Favretto
The building has a long history: the home was built on the site of an old church that dates back to the year 1000, and was the residence of the bishop of Como, who lived there from 1064 until his death in 1084.