Set within the glorious architecture of BVN and CK Design, Luchetti Krelle was asked to create a home interior with a rural boutique hotel-like ambience that could comfortably accommodate the immediate family or expand when required to facilitate larger gatherings. Briefed by an existing client in the hospitality sector, the outcome brings Luchetti Krelle’s extensive experience in this cross-sector approach.
With Phillip Rossington, Principal at BVN, Luchetti Krelle was instrumental in his early development of the architectural design, to determine the layout and foundational materials. The home’s taut standing seam profile and robust glazing mitigate exposure to the harsh elements (extreme sunlight and occasional strong winds). At the same time, two breezeways divide the main structure into three distinct zones.
Overhead glazing at these junctions ensures ample natural light and allows the architectural forms to be clearly articulated from within. Large windows, while bringing additional light into the home, also capture the spectacular views across the property.
Arranged across three levels, the monolithic barn-like typology of the architecture is compounded by the placement at the top of a combination of loose and tight stonework and an avenue of mature olive trees. Luchetti Krelle’s design leverages the home’s structure to provide all the comforts required to settle in without feeling the need to leave the property.
All bedrooms include ensuites, and views outwards across the property, with the two guest bedrooms forming a guest wing with its own lounge area. This portion is separated from the main with an adjoining sheltered outdoor lounge area accessed via glass doors, where a suspended fireplace gives this room great amenity for both the family alone or when entertaining. The separation of the guest wing in this manner allows this upper floor to be neatly contained to the family whose bedrooms are located at the opposite end of the living area.
It is worth mentioning the bathrooms here as each has been created with the same high level of design detailing and luxurious finish. The main suite, however, leverages the additional room with a free-standing bath, beautiful lighting and a bronze inlaid rich chocolate stone vanity that traverses the expanse of the facing wall. The powder room is similarly divine with a rose plinth, brass tapware and gorgeous floating sconces.
The main living area, and ostensibly the room the family use most when not entertaining is expansive, with the kitchen and generous bar island across the rear wall. Flowing on, but not attached is a refined island of grey marble that performs beautifully as a cocktail and coffee bar.
“Beneath vaulted ceilings, we created a sanctuary that enhances interaction with family and friends given the clients’ passion for hosting. Inherent to the interior scheme, beyond its seamless integration with its surrounds, was ensuring those resonant textures and tones seeped in,” says Rachel Luchetti.
To this end, concrete floors play a key role with timber and generous swathes of stone picking up on the surrounding nature. The colour palette, while tonally natural with chestnut browns, charcoal and silvery greys, is bursting with life thanks to highly figured and honed forest brown marble and the introduction of deep and marine blues. Subtle shades of saffron, lilac and bronze add further intrigue. The saffron used for the under-counter drawers, and as an insert under the grey marble bar is a particularly beautiful addition that lends the whole a sumptuous warmth.
Oversized sofas and armchairs offer a relaxed comfort, while the generously proportioned custom timber dining table and main kitchen island feature slanted timber legs inspired by country trestles. In keeping with the scale a suite of barn-style pendant lights above the main island add a sophisticated sheen with their bronze and polished brass accents. “We also furnished other areas in the vast room with assorted pendants to cosy the ceiling height, igniting interest in their sculptural form given limited wall space to hang artworks,” says Luchetti.
The floor below is where the entertainment really begins with a cinema room, separate wine bar, adjoining dining area and sunken lounge. The tones for the bar are particularly sumptuous with lilac cabinetry set within rosy timber. Timber cabinetry continues throughout with recesses and shelves for artworks. The seventies continue to be the era we can’t get enough of. For this project Luchetti Krelle has created a beautiful sunken lounge of warm caramel tan leather over cement plinths and stairs continuous to the floor. It is a delight.
Lower still, the resort aspect really kicks in with an indoor lap pool including a spa, steam room, adjoining sun deck and the very surprising salami drying room. The steam room with a vaulted ceiling, entirely clad in small rectangular marble tiles, is breathtakingly calm. At the more lavish end of the spectrum is a glass-encased garage to display an impressive collection of vehicles.
Key to the success of this project is Luchetti Krell’s mastery of scale, indeed, each space feels suitably contained within the scale of its expansive envelope. Moreover, it answers the brief with both style and substance, resulting in a flexible and adaptable home, that is also beautiful.
Project details
Architect – BVN and CK Design
Interior design – Luchetti Krelle
Styling – Olga Wise
Photography – Tom Ferguson
