A room without books is like a body without a soul.
“A room without books is like a body without a soul.” If this is true then this house has soul by the bucketload. There are books everywhere – in the living room, in the dining room – but the literary motif, the theme of the interior design project, also takes other forms. The phrases written on the sheets of the Zettel’z lamp in the kitchen are dedicated to books, as is the Amos Oz quote on one of the walls: “When I was little, I wanted to be a book when I grew up”. The pictures also depict people reading. It couldn’t be any other way in such a harmonious environment, a place that exudes the peace and tranquillity needed to switch off and cuddle up with a good book. But it isn’t just a house for bookworms. Ecology and respect for the environment are also high on the agenda. This can be seen by the close attention focused on many aspects, from the house’s systems through to the choice of materials and finishes. In fact, it grabs the attention immediately, beginning with its exterior which is very reminiscent of a Norwegian house: slate roof (stone sourced just a few kilometres away) and wooden cladding-rainscreen. The energy efficiency of the building is guaranteed by its optimal orientation and cutting-edge systems: a photovoltaic system for the production of electricity, a thermal solar system for the production of domestic hot water, the dehumidification and mechanical ventilation of the rooms to regulate living comfort. The doors and windows and exterior insulation in mineral wool guarantee excellent thermal and sound insulation while the natural hydraulic lime mortar is synonymous with breathability and hygiene. The solid oak parquet was installed dry on beds of sand, and therefore without the use of toxic glue, and then treated with oil enriched with propolis and a wax finish. Even the management of the garden is inspired by the principles of bioarchitecture: recycled water deriving from underground collection tanks is used for irrigation and a wild garden was chosen in order to limit maintenance waste.
Ecology and respect for the environment are also high on the agenda.
The choice of furnishings was inspired by the same principles. The living room is dominated by Moroso’s Big Mama sofa, the Sweet 20 armchairs by Gervasoni and the Womb armchair by Aaro Saarinen with its polished chrome steel frame. The bookcase was custom-made in natural knot-free spruce with chalk white brushed finish, just like the piece of furniture in the dining room where pride of place goes to the elliptical Ch339 table by Carl Hansen, which is paired with Wishbone Chairs. The rug in the living room belongs to the Patchwork Vintage Sartori collection. Close to the sofa are the Tabouret side tables-stools by Cassina, notable for their exclusive dovetail processing. The elegant Eames House Bird by Vitra adorns the fireplace. The completely bespoke kitchen was finished with water-based paint. The item of furniture in the master bathroom was tailor-made with a cobalt-coloured brushed finish, while the stool close to the bathtub is the Backenzahn by E15, an icon of German design. In the large bedroom the solid walnut Eames Stool can also be used as a side table.
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