Rustic Archives

Ten rustic Italian interiors that evoke the history of the Mediterranean

This lookbook collects 10 interiors in Italy with a distinctly rustic feel, including homes and hotels replete with wooden beams, cool stone and other rich textures.

As well as being known for its contemporary furniture and lighting design, Italy is home to some of Europe’s oldest buildings and has numerous historic cities and villages.

From a 17th-century house in Puglia to a hotel in a 1,000-year-old castle, below are 10 examples of projects that pay homage to the Mediterranean country’s history while catering to modern tastes.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring chequerboard floors, lime plaster walls and Mediterranean-style interiors.

Monteverdi Tuscany boutique hotel by Michael Cioffi and Ilaria Miani — Photo courtesy of Monteverdi Hotel

Monteverdi Hotel, Tuscany, by Ilaria Miani

Restoration specialist and interior designer Ilaria Miani helped transform several crumbling buildings in Val d’Orcia into a boutique hotel that aims to balance the history of the area with contemporary design influences from Milan and Rome.

In the bedroom suites, chunky exposed beams made from salvaged wood are complemented by natural colours and textures, while nearly all the furniture is handmade by local artisans.

Find out more about Monteverdi Hotel ›

Cascina by Jonathan Tuckey Design — Photo by Francesca Iovene

Cascina, Piemonte, by Jonathan Tuckey Design

London-based Jonathan Tuckey Design was tasked with returning this 19th-century farmhouse in northern Italy to its original state following a heavy 1980s renovation.

Stone walls and wooden beams now feature prominently, with a cool chalky palette offset by brass lamps and chestnut panelling and furniture.

Find out more about Cascina ›

Casa Soleto living room — Photo by Salva López

Casa Soleto, Puglia, by Studio Andrew Trotter and Marcelo Martínez

Parts of Casa Soleto in Puglia are more than 400 years old. Architecture firm Studio Andrew Trotter and its studio manager Marcelo Martínez renovated the building without making any structural changes, leaving the irregular walls in place.

To give the interiors an authentic, natural feel, the designers used lime plaster for the walls, linen fabrics for the sofas and curtains, jute rugs, terracotta ceramics and antique furniture.

Find out more about Casa Soleto ›

Monastero Arx Vivendi, Trentino-Alto Adige, by Network of Architecture

Network of Architecture applied rippled antique-effect plaster to the walls of this 17th-century ex-monastery near Lake Garda, which is now a hotel.

The plaster is complemented by pale wooden floors, black iron furniture and earth-toned fabrics, while the original doors have been retained and restored.

Find out more about Monastero Arx Vivendi ›

Interior of Casolare Scarani in Puglia by Studio Andrew Trotter — Photo by Salva López

Casolare Scarani, Puglia, by Studio Andrew Potter

Casolare Scarani is a home created from the renovation of a long-abandoned girls’ school built in the style of a traditional Puglian villa – but still modest in size.

The vaulted ceilings were kept intact and covered in lime plaster, while the rooms were finished with earthy tones and traditional stone flooring.

Find out more about Casolare Scarani ›

Hotel Castello di Reschio, Umbria, by Count Benedikt Bolza

Hotel Castello di Reschio occupies a 1,000-year-old castle in the Umbrian hills that was transformed by count Benedikt Bolza and his family.

Rooms have been decorated with terracotta-brick or wooden floors, hand-stitched linen curtains, Italian fabrics and locally crafted marble and brass vanities alongside portraits sourced from nearby antique markets in a reference to the building’s rich history.

Find out more about Hotel Castello di Reschio ›

Appartamento Brolettuono by Archiplanstudio — Photo by Davide Galli Atelier

Brolettouno Apartment, Lombardy, by Archiplan

Located in a building in Mantua that dates back to the 15th century, this apartment was overhauled on a budget by local design studio Archiplan.

The studio decided to honour the interior’s timeworn aesthetic by retaining the distressed floor tiles and faded frescos, combining these features with functional light-hued wooden furniture.

Find out more about Brolettouno Apartment ›

Interior of Casa Maiora by Studio Andrew Trotter in Puglia — Photo by Salva López

Casa Maiora, Puglia, by Studio Andrew Trotter

Another project from Studio Andrew Trotter, this villa is in fact a newly built project – but carries heavy rustic influences from traditional homes in the area.

Flagstone floors, lime-washed walls and locally sourced antiques combine to create a soothing, timeless feel.

Find out more about Casa Maiora ›

G-Rough hotel Rome — Photo by Serena Eller

G-Rough, Lazio, by Gabriele Salini

Features showcasing the building’s 400-year-old history were juxtaposed with contemporary art and mid-century furnishings at this boutique hotel in Rome, Italy’s capital.

The imperfections of age, particularly on the patina walls, combine with furniture inspired by modernist Italian designers like Ico Parisi, Giò Ponti and Piero Fornasetti for a rough-yet-refined aesthetic.

Find out more about G-Rough ›

Bedroom at the Vipp pop-up hotel — Photo by Irina Boersma César Machado

Palazzo Monti hotel, Lombardy, by Julie Cloos Mølsgaard and Vipp

A collaboration with Danish homeware brand Vipp saw interior designer Julie Cloos Mølsgaard create a pop-up hotel in a 13-century palazzo in Brescia.

To keep the focus on the building’s many historic features, Mølsgaard took a minimalist approach to the furnishings, with mattresses sitting directly on the floor and artwork propped up against the walls.

Find out more about the Palazzo Monti hotel ›

Reference

Interior Design

Ten rustic Italian interiors that evoke the historic Mediterranean

By Zarkon Group,29/10/2023

This lookbook collects 10 interiors in Italy with a distinctly rustic feel, including homes and hotels replete with wooden beams, cool stone and other rich textures.

As well as being known for its contemporary furniture and lighting design, Italy is home to some of Europe’s oldest buildings and has numerous historic cities and villages.

From a 17th-century house in Puglia to a hotel in a 1,000-year-old castle, below are 10 examples of projects that pay homage to the Mediterranean country’s history while catering to modern tastes.

Monteverdi Hotel, Tuscany, by Ilaria Miani

In the bedroom suites, chunky exposed beams made from salvaged wood are complemented by natural colours and textures, while nearly all the furniture is handmade by local artisans.

Find out more about Monteverdi Hotel ›

Cascina, Piemonte, by Jonathan Tuckey Design

London-based Jonathan Tuckey Design was tasked with returning this 19th-century farmhouse in northern Italy to its original state following a heavy 1980s renovation.

Stone walls and wooden beams now feature prominently, with a cool chalky palette offset by brass lamps and chestnut panelling and furniture.

Find out more about Cascina ›

Casa Soleto, Puglia, by Studio Andrew Trotter and Marcelo Martínez

To give the interiors an authentic, natural feel, the designers used lime plaster for the walls, linen fabrics for the sofas and curtains, jute rugs, terracotta ceramics and antique furniture.

Find out more about Casa Soleto ›

Monastero Arx Vivendi, Trentino-Alto Adige, by Network of Architecture

Network of Architecture applied rippled antique-effect plaster to the walls of this 17th-century ex-monastery near Lake Garda, which is now a hotel.

The plaster is complemented by pale wooden floors, black iron furniture and earth-toned fabrics, while the original doors have been retained and restored.

Find out more about Monastero Arx Vivendi ›

Casolare Scarani, Puglia, by Studio Andrew Potter

Casolare Scarani is a home created from the renovation of a long-abandoned girls’ school built in the style of a traditional Puglian villa – but still modest in size.

The vaulted ceilings were kept intact and covered in lime plaster, while the rooms were finished with earthy tones and traditional stone flooring.

Find out more about Casolare Scarani ›

Hotel Castello di Reschio, Umbria, by Count Benedikt Bolza

Hotel Castello di Reschio occupies a 1,000-year-old castle in the Umbrian hills that was transformed by count Benedikt Bolza and his family.

Find out more about Hotel Castello di Reschio ›

Brolettouno Apartment, Lombardy, by Archiplan

Located in a building in Mantua that dates back to the 15th century, this apartment was overhauled on a budget by local design studio Archiplan.

The studio decided to honour the interior’s timeworn aesthetic by retaining the distressed floor tiles and faded frescos, combining these features with functional light-hued wooden furniture.

Find out more about Brolettouno Apartment ›

Casa Maiora, Puglia, by Studio Andrew Trotter

Another project from Studio Andrew Trotter, this villa is in fact a newly built project – but carries heavy rustic influences from traditional homes in the area.

Flagstone floors, lime-washed walls and locally sourced antiques combine to create a soothing, timeless feel.

Find out more about Casa Maiora ›

G-Rough, Lazio, by Gabriele Salini

Features showcasing the building’s 400-year-old history were juxtaposed with contemporary art and mid-century furnishings at this boutique hotel in Rome, Italy’s capital.

Find out more about G-Rough ›

Palazzo Monti hotel, Lombardy, by Julie Cloos Mølsgaard and Vipp

A collaboration with Danish homeware brand Vipp saw interior designer Julie Cloos Mølsgaard create a pop-up hotel in a 13-century palazzo in Brescia.

Find out more about the Palazzo Monti hotel ›

Reference

Interior Design

Renovated Ibizan finca retains rustic charm as Aguamadera hotel

By Zarkon Group,10/10/2023

A 19th-century farmhouse hidden away in the mountains of Ibiza has been converted into a hotel, where guests stay inside earthy, minimalist suites with interiors conceived by creative director Carlota Sarda Caralps.

The remote Aguamadera resort opened earlier this year and was designed as “a secluded hideaway home” with a focus on nature, wellness and food.

Two-storey whitewashed building with terracotta tiles terrace — A 19th-century farmhouse has been converted into a boutique hotel

The brainchild of Pacha Group co-founder Iria Urgell and hospitality entrepreneur Pablo Fernández-Valdés, the hotel was designed under the creative direction of Sarda Caralps.

Positioned atop a hill near the beach resort of Cala Llonga, the finca – or farmhouse – and its outbuildings constructed in 1888 were converted to accommodate seven guest rooms and four suites.

Renovated farmhouse with large bougainvillea tree in front, now the Aguamadera hotel in Ibiza — The pink flowers of a large bougainvillea tree contrast the whitewashed building

The renovated whitewashed structures sit among 27 acres of pine forests, olive groves and terraced agricultural land, from which much of the produce used in the hotel’s restaurant is sourced.

The name Aguamadera is derived from the Spanish words for water and wood, in a nod to the fact that the hotel hopes to promote healing through nature in its rural setting.

Covered porch with built-in seating and old wooden door — A covered porch features built-in seating for lounging

This translates into the design through the use of natural materials like clay plaster walls, wooden furniture, linen textiles and jute carpets.

Simplicity reigns throughout the resort. The textured plasterwork forms organically shaped surfaces and the cement floors complement the neutral palette.

Dining area with wooden furniture and small pendant lights in Aguamadera hotel in Ibiza — Small pendant lights hang from the exposed ceiling beams in the casual dining area

The main building is minimally decorated with locally crafted furniture, objects and a rotating series of works by Ibizan artists.

“Our venue serves as a vessel between artists and guests,” said the operators.

“Aguamadera presents pieces of art for a limited time only where paintings, sculptures, environmental art and rare objects are integrated within the hotel experience.”

Built-in wall niches — Furniture, objects and works by local artists and artisans are displayed throughout

Towards the back is the restaurant, where the kitchen and its wood-fired oven are completely open to the casual dining area.

Small pendant lights suspended from the exposed wooden ceiling beams softly illuminate the tables, which are set with tableware by British artisan and artist Sarah Jerath.

Guest room with plaster walls and earth-toned upholstery in Aguamadera hotel in Ibiza — The old farmhouse accommodates seven guest rooms

“Cosy, easy-going and fresh, the space allows you to explore the valley from within with sunset views,” the team said.

“In the essence of the winter season, a colossal fireplace evokes nostalgic charm.”

Close-up of rustic bedside table next to simple bed — The rooms have a monastic quality and are furnished with only the essentials

Spread over two floors, the guest rooms in the farmhouse have a monastic quality, with the earth-toned furnishings and decor elements reduced to only what’s necessary.

Larger multi-room suites are located in corrals – the outbuildings that formerly housed livestock – and have the same visual language as the other spaces.

View through open doors of a swimming pool in Aguamadera hotel in Ibiza — Cushioned loungers surround the swimming pool, which overlooks the valley beyond

“Rustic wood finishes, built-in furniture, quality materials and soft textures are highlighted through sculptural silhouettes, the cornerstone of our design,” said the team.

Across the site, several terraces facing the surrounding valleys offer outdoor spaces for guests to eat, drink and relax.

A covered porch is lined with built-in seats for lounging and is further shaded by a bougainvillaea tree, whose pink flowers starkly contrast the building’s white walls.

The pool terrace below features chunky cushioned loungers placed on terracotta tiles and is wrapped by a low dry-stone wall.

Whitewashed building with a tiled roof and palm tree behind — The hotel’s larger suites are housed in the outbuildings formerly used for livestock

Sunset is best enjoyed from cushions and mats placed under a huge tree on the opposite side of the building to the pool, where a large al fresco dining area is also located.

Details include hollow bricks with patterned faces embedded into the walls, which glow softly at night to help guests navigate around the site.

Outdoor courtyards with chairs and a potted tree in Aguamadera hotel in Ibiza — The suites have their own outdoor areas

Aguamadera hosts a variety of activities for guests and the local community, from exhibitions and workshops to wellness offerings such as sound meditations, rituals and ceremonies.

Ibiza is renowned the world over as a party destination but visitors are beginning to appreciate its natural beauty and rural charm, too.

Covered outdoor terrace with wooden dining tables and chairs — Multiple terraces wrapped by dry-stone walls can be used by guests

Several of the island’s old farmhouses have been converted into hotels or private villas, including a 200-year-old stone building that was turned into the members-only retreat La Granja.

The historic port city of Eivissa has also seen a recent renaissance, with locations from international groups The Standard and Experimental both opening within the past couple of years.

The photography is by Lekuona Studio. The main image is by Mateo Sánchez Garcia De La Cruz.

Reference

Interior Design

Eight interiors that strike a balance between rustic and contemporary

By Zarkon Group,09/07/2023

For our latest lookbook, Dezeen has selected eight examples of rustic yet contemporary interiors, including but not limited to an apartment in Sao Paulo and a Tuscan boutique hotel.

Rustic interiors have a strong focus on natural and aged materials as well as traditional wooden or stone furnishings.

These material choices are often used to create a homely and welcoming atmosphere that is somewhat reminiscent of a farmhouse style.

From an inn with nautical-leaning decor to a mid-century home in Joshua Tree, here are eight examples of how interior designers are bringing rustic design tropes into the 21st century.

This is the latest in our lookbook series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring wood-panelled dining rooms, statement headboards and homes with pergolas.

Villa Kuro by Mini Inno — Photo is by Stanley Yang

Villa Kurno, US, by Mini Inno

Los Angeles interior design studio Mini Inno renovated this mid-century ranch-style home in Joshua Tree National Park and converted it into a holiday home.

The studio opted for a neutral interior scheme that serves as the background for various wooden furnishings and fixtures.

Wood beams were left exposed across the ceiling of the living area while wooden barstools, shelving and cupboard doors are contrasted against the white-painted walls and floors.

Find out more about Villa Kurno ›

Monteverdi Hotel, Italy, by Michael Cioffi

Located in a hamlet in Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tuscany, Monteverdi Hotel was transformed from a crumbling building to a 29-room hotel over a 14-year renovation.

Materials and finishes throughout the interior were chosen for their textural quality and walls feature uneven surfaces with indents and niches. Salvaged wood was used for ceiling beams, timber archways and closet doors, which were constructed from old farm doors.

Find out more about Monteverdi Hotel, ›

Captain Whidbey Inn — Photo is by Alexander Ribar

Whidbey Inn, US, by Mike and Matt French

Mike and Matt French collaborated with friends and local designers to update this historic inn on Widbey Island near Seattle.

The team renovated the property, which was built in 1907, and decorated the interior with a contemporary yet rustic approach with subtle nautical influences. Wood panelling in various shades was used across the interior and paired with timber furnishings.

Find out more about Whidbey Inn ›

Carriage House by Workstead — Photo is by Jeff Holt

Carriage House, US, by Workstead

This home is set inside a converted kitchen house in South Carolina – a small outbuilding that was originally used to prepare food for the main residence.

Workstead decorated its interior using an imperfect approach that saw the US studio make a feature of exposed, paint-splattered brickwork and crumbling plaster walls.

In one of the home’s living areas, cypress and woven cane cabinets with an integrated window seat were built around a window, extending from the wooden floors up to the white-washed ceilings.

Find out more about Carriage House ›

Interiors of La Ganea restaurant, designed by Studio Mabb — Photo is by Carola Merello

La Ganea, Italy, by Studio Mabb

A material palette of plaster, timber and iron defines the rustic interiors of this restaurant in Brescia, Italy, which was designed by interiors practice Studio Mabb.

The former farmhouse dates back to the 16th century and was renovated to have a simple aesthetic with earthy components. Large wooden beams stretch across the ceiling above a tiled floor and grey-washed walls while dark wood and iron furnishings complete the moody atmosphere.

Find out more about La Ganea ›

Japanese tea house, Italy, by Lorenzo Guzzini

At this home on Lake Como, which was informed by Japanese architecture, materials were chosen for their likeness to the surrounding nature and the vernacular architecture of the historic village of Dizzasco.

Textural wall finishes in earthy tones and stone-lined floors were combined with exposed wooden ceilings, pine skirting boards and doors in an effort to reference the rustic look of traditional tea houses.

Find out more about Japanese tea house ›

House V designed by Martin Skoček — Photo is by Matej Hakár

House V, Slovakia, by Martin Skoček

Slovakia-based architect Martin Skoček used salvaged and time-worn materials in the interior of this gabled home near Bratislava.

Bricks walls are exposed in the open-plan living area at the centre of the home beneath a wood-gabled ceiling that spans the entire length of the space.

Contemporary additions such as a steel breakfast island and oak storage wall anchor the kitchen area, providing a contrast with the raw brick walls and wooden ceiling.

Find out more about House V ›

GM Apartment by NJ+ — Photo is by Fran Parente

GM Apartment, Brazil, by Nildo José Architects

Brazillian studio Nildo José Architects highlighted many of the existing architectural features when renovating this two-bedroom apartment in a condominium tower in Sao Paulo.

The interior scheme draws on a more contemporary idea of rustic, using exposed concrete elements combined with bleached wood and glazed tiles.

“The kitchen is open and funky, blending rustic and modern with colours, design and materials,” the studio said.

Find out more about GM Apartment ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring wood-panelled dining rooms, statement headboards and homes with pergolas.

Reference

Rustic

Ten rustic Italian interiors that evoke the history of the Mediterranean

Ten rustic Italian interiors that evoke the historic Mediterranean

Renovated Ibizan finca retains rustic charm as Aguamadera hotel

Eight interiors that strike a balance between rustic and contemporary

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