Houzz Tour: In Italy, a Barn Becomes a Weekend Getaway
The rural structure on the Ligurian coast gets a contemporary makeover that works with the local architecture
With its proximity to Milan, this sympathetically modernized barn in beautiful coastal Levanto, Italy, makes the perfect weekend retreat for the owners and their relatives and friends. Inspired by their desire for a more relaxed lifestyle, they converted the old agricultural building into a functional and fascinating living space, where family life and a love of art coexist.
BEFORE: The enchanting countryside around Levanto warrants preservation, so when the architect took on this project in 2010, he had to both work with the constraints of the landscape and respect the local rural architecture. He also had to avoid the pitfall of merely copying an existing home style out of fear of breaching the accepted norms.
AFTER: To create a house full of personality that blends into its surroundings, the architect researched the buildings typical of the area. The result combines a traditional aesthetic with contemporary style, indoors and out.
The residence consists of two buildings. The original stonework structure of the main one was preserved, except for the kitchen, which was partly demolished and rebuilt.
The second building had been a ruined old barn. It was demolished and rebuilt in full compliance with the accepted standards of landscape and architectural conservation.
The second building had been a ruined old barn. It was demolished and rebuilt in full compliance with the accepted standards of landscape and architectural conservation.
The result is a simple house in tune with its rural environment, and enriched with furniture and contemporary artwork that give it an elegant yet unpretentious mood. It’s a functional space enhanced by the continual addition of new family memories.
The owners eschewed elaborate flooring in favor of plain concrete, smoothed and finished with wax. The inevitable appearance of cracks over time is anticipated, accepted and almost desired, as an element in harmony with the rustic tone of the building.
Know Your Flooring: Concrete
Know Your Flooring: Concrete
The simple walls throughout the house make the perfect backdrop for contemporary art.
After doing their own research and consulting with the designer, the owners chose furniture mostly from the early 1990s.
The master bedroom has a semiopen en suite bathroom. It’s made up of three elements: a sink atop a vintage dresser in the center, with a shower on one side and a toilet on the other.
Vintage Vanities Bring Bygone Style to Baths
Vintage Vanities Bring Bygone Style to Baths
The keen attention to detail is not intended to dazzle visitors, but rather to simply welcome them. The house reflects the family’s desire to enjoy some leisure time in a pleasing environment with no frills, and to focus on the real luxury of being able to gather together in a special place.
The reconstruction of the barn was the major challenge of the project, given the need to respect the local planning regulations. Typical Ligurian barns, with their weathered wooden facades often facing the sea, provided the inspiration for a modern structure that pays homage to its historical roots.
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Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A Milanese family with children and grandchildren, who use it as a weekend retreat
Location: Levanto, Liguria, Italy
Size: Four bedrooms, five bathrooms
Designer: Antonio Sibilla in collaboration with A2BC Studio