Z-OLD – Projects – The Colour Designer

Projects

“Colours must fit as pieces in a puzzle or cogs in a wheel.”

Hans Hofmann

Renovation of Kinsky Hunting Lodge in Czech Switzerland

The building dates from 1832 and is built from sandstone and brick. The goal was to modernize the property in a style sympathetic to its age and surroundings. Although the structure is not individually assigned an historical status, it lies within a protected area that requires certain standards of external presentation. The property had been used as a weekend holiday home by previous owners and was suffering from a lack of investment and maintenance.

The project scope understandably included external repairs and renovation, installation of water, sewage, central heating, and rewiring. However it also included extensive internal remodelling. The following pictures touch on what was done and how I approached the design and furnishing with the goal of harmonising a more up to date interior with the old heart of the building and creating a warm country home.

Guest bedroom - Styling

Restored storage cupboard in guest bedroom with some styling objects

Main bathroom - Tiling design

Detail of washbasin with mirror and Italian rustic tiling in main bathroom

Study - Accent colours

Detail of armchair in the study accompanied by traditional Czech decor on a vase to complete a wine colour scheme

Living room - Styling of Reading corner

Reading corner in living room. Picture of the lady was found in the attic.

Kitchen - making use of existing furniture and household items

On one side of the kitchen we used restored furniture from the house. The open cupboard serves as fruit and vegetable storage along with a display of kitchen crockery.

Dining area - making use of existing furniture and items

This corner of the living room is enhanced by an old carpenter’s bench found in the attic complemented with a yellow accent on decor combined with greenery and rattan baskets to enhance the rustic feel.

Entrance hall

Main entrance of the house with a new rustic tiled ﬂoor and painting acquired from online auction site.

Living room - Styling

View of the seating area in the living room. Budget constraints prevented us from purchasing new furniture. However, by using colourful cushions in a blue, mustard and green colour scheme, it was possible to establish a cohesive look using the existing furniture. I deliberately chose a smaller rug to allow the beautiful original wood to stand out. Dark brown wooden furniture anchors the space and adds to the country feel.

Guest bathroom -Styling

Detail of washbasin in the guest bathroom, with mirror framed by Italian rustic tiles. The window sill is styled with different plants to blend with the lovely garden view.

Kitchen - Tiling and Styling

Detail of lovely lavender style relief tiles complemented with a tea set in light blue.

Study - Colour scheme

The study uses a wine and black colour scheme.

Guest bedroom - Colour scheme

The guest bedroom is not as well lit as other rooms; but is enhanced by use of warm colours and fabrics such as yellow walls and the double bed with a Morrocan bedspread.

Living room

View of open plan living room with reproduction arch, and dining area in the background. Note the rustic italian tiles that are used to highlight the position of the original walls. They are also used to good effect as skirting for the wooden floor.

Bedroom - Colour scheme

Green bedroom decor, inspired by the old patchwork bedspread.

Main bathroom

Main bathroom with corner bath. On the bath I put a basket with towels for guests.

Kitchen

View of the kitchen furniture, built by a local carpenter. By keeping fruits, vegetables and plates in a display cabinet we avoided installing upper cupboards for storage. The open shelves serve for displaying lovely personal objects and make the kitchen feel more airy, cosy and inviting. Work surface built from Italian floor tiles.

Living room - styling

Detail of storage cupboard in living room. The living room has 7 windows, so I used rustic bedspreads from IKEA to make curtains. Not only was it much cheaper than buying curtains; but also enhances the country look and feel of the room.

Hallway - Styling

Corner of the hallway with restored chest of storage draws. The green armchair contrasts nicely with pink and it brings a colour continuity into the green bedroom with the patchwork bedspread.

Living room - Styling

Detail of stove with firewood basket in the living room. This area had been concreted in the past so we used rustic Italian tiling to complement the wood. The art adds to the warmth of this corner.

Kitchen - Styling

Detail of lavander tile decor in kitchen with traditional Czech cake in foreground.

Dining room - Detail

Detail of the dining table that we made by restoring an old carpenter’s workbench found in the attic. the setting is completed by traditional wooden chairs restored in a

white and cream colour scheme that complements that of the doors and frames throughout the house.

Study - Fireplace design

Detail of restored ﬁreplace tiled with antique bricks cut into halves, along with a restored antique wooden beam found in the attic. The terracotta colour walls add to the warm and cosy feel of this room. The antique model of a boat nicely complements the terracotta pot on the ﬂoor.

Study - Styling

Detail of the decor used in the study room in black accent.