Rustic Italian Retreat: The Old Barn Farmhouse in Vetralla

 Vetralla, Viterbo, Lazio, Italy

Architects: Angelo Luigi Tartaglia Studio

Principal Architect: Angelo Luigi Tartaglia

Photography © Angelo Luigi Tartaglia Studio

Angelo Luigi Tartaglia Studio transformed an old three-storey barn in a historic village into a comfortable country house with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The masterful renovation harmonised the charm of the original ancient barn with modern design elements, vintage furniture and flea market décor.

Angelo Luigi Tartaglia:

"Our intervention was carried out in this single volume, covered with a wooden roof supported by two trusses. My design attitude is identified with contemporaneity and even more exciting was being able to intervene in a historical context so deteriorated but fascinating and with a beautiful view over the valley. I wanted to make even more evident the gap between the pre-existence, left completely unaltered, and what has been inserted inside the volume to meet the needs of a home.

With two mezzanines made with a metal structure we have created two sleeping areas that are distinct and distant from each other, slightly shielded by the existing roof beams, so that, even if open but kept apart, positioned at the two ends of the volume, it could be kept a little of privacy, in case there were guests who would stay at night.

Inside the all intervention there is a unique dialogue between the pre-existing and the contemporary, in which the chestnut wood beams and the larch floor maintain the predominance, compared to what has been inserted , as project , cautiously and delicately, to create a comfortable home that reflected the wishes of the client.

Being a home for the weekend it was not thought of furnishing it with furniture or design objects but all the furnishings except for the contemporary sofa are the result of research in warehouses and flea market that the client has done over time. The armchairs in navy -colored velvet are a set with the vintage sofa over the main bedroom mezzanine , as well as the large dining table it was an old walnut desk from the offices of the Vatican State , deposited in a disused furniture warehouse. The chairs are from the 19th century, also found in a flea market.

The main color scheme is white for the pre-existing walls , natural wood for the roof structure and flooring and copper color. We have in addition small accents of pastel green and navy. The lights are mostly on the walls and the reading area is highlighted by a lamp made with a fishing rod and electric wire holding a bare light bulb."