Decor and Design Week #294 from Normandy to Malta, ten design finds
Normandy, Malta, Spain, Corsica, the week in decoration and design brings you ten interiors spotted this week in the magazines
Every Sunday, the 'week in decoration and design' column brings together a selection curated for interiors enthusiasts. Planète Déco scours the best magazines and specialist websites, in France and abroad. This ongoing watch makes it possible to spot the projects that stand out from the crowd. They win us over with a bold renovation, a well chosen material or a singular story. Attention to detail comes up again and again as a selection criterion this week. Once again this Sunday, ten addresses caught our eye for their inspiration and originality.
This edition travels widely, from Normandy to Malta, taking in Spain and Corsica along the way. We discover a reinvented Normandy thatched cottage, a Maltese studio true to its heritage and a Spanish barn turned into a sustainable retreat. The selection also brings together two celebrity properties on the market, in England and the United States. These designer homes speak to a particular way of living. Between heritage renovations and cleverly optimised small spaces, each address takes a very different approach. Here are the ten features to discover this week!
On Long Island, in the United States, the practice MCWRK transforms a charmless house into a creative sanctuary. The New York firm, led by Michael Campbell, answers a brief from a young couple of artists. They were looking for a calming retreat, away from the bustle of the city. The project also solves a practical problem, an illegal extension built half over the garage.
The architect designs a warm timber entrance that links this extension to the rest of the house. Plywood lines the walls and ceiling with great restraint. This raw material immediately creates a calm, welcoming atmosphere. The result unifies disparate volumes with real coherence. Read more on Dwell
In the Pays d'Auge, in Normandy, a 90sqm thatched cottage is completely transformed. Architect Joy de l'Hermite, founder of Studio JLH, signs this renovation with her British touch. She reinvents Normandy's traditional codes to create an open, light filled interior. Bold colours warm up every room without abandoning the spirit of an English cottage.
The traditional thatched roof sits alongside thoroughly modern furniture. This unexpected pairing gives the house all its character. This family home is full of warmth and everyday life. The renovation proves that a traditional thatched cottage can embrace a thoroughly contemporary style. Read more on Marie Claire Maison
In Malta, in the historic district of Cospicua, a tiny apartment celebrates local architecture. Studio Niche signs the renovation of this property, named Bormla 1. Traditional Maltese tiles and the original stone walls remain visible throughout. Pastel and earthy tones bring warmth and calm to the small space.
Functionality comes first, without ever sacrificing style or the identity of the place. Every corner serves a precise purpose despite the particularly limited floor space. Modern comfort makes itself at home without erasing the heritage of the old building. This short-term rental studio charms visitors with its preserved authenticity. Read more on Studio Niche
Deep in the Spanish countryside, a former barn becomes an exemplary country house. The building keeps its original double roof and exposed beams. This renovation prioritises natural light in every living space. The architects design the spaces to encourage sharing and family togetherness.
This generous volumes heighten this sense of rural comfort even further. The ceiling height also reinforces this feeling of space and freedom. The whole place gives off a warm atmosphere despite its large proportions. This project shows that a farm building can become a sustainable, comfortable home. Read more on Nuevo Estilo
In the Madrid district of Chamberí, a 40 square meters apartment gains a real sense of generosity. The architects remove several partition walls to create open, connected spaces. Natural light now flows freely throughout the apartment. Light colours visually enlarge each room.
Bespoke furniture makes the most of every available corner. A few styling touches complete this renovation, designed for a modern way of life. The open plan kitchen further reinforces this sense of continuous space. This project illustrates well how targeted building work can create extra space. Read more on Elle Decor
In England, actress Sienna Miller puts her thatched Buckinghamshire cottage up for sale. Named Thatch, this Grade II listed property has featured on the cover of Architectural Digest. It occupies a peaceful spot in the Chiltern Hills, near West Wycombe.
The facade combines flint, brick and Tudor style render on one side. Inside, exposed beams and original floorboards span the centuries. Open fireplaces complete this decor, steeped in history and charm. The property covers almost 180 square meters. This sale should appeal to lovers of authentic English homes. Read more on Savills
In Neuilly sur Seine, owners breathe new life into their Haussmannian apartment after ten years of living in it. Interior architect Julie Lacour orchestrates this transformation without touching the building's structure. She deploys a bold colour palette in every room. Bespoke designed furniture completes this new visual identity.
Every detail receives particular attention, from the mouldings right down to the door handles. The classic proportions gain personality this way, without losing any of their elegance. The result skilfully balances Haussmannian character with a bold contemporary touch. This project proves that a Haussmannian classic copes very well with bold use of colour. Read more on Côté Maison
American designer Michael Kors puts his Water Island villa up for sale. This tiny community comprises just 48 homes on the edge of the Fire Island National Seashore. The spot remains one of the most intimate and unspoilt corners of Fire Island.
No cars are allowed on this island, which can only be reached by boat. Carts and wheelbarrows take the place of vehicles for all trips. The property is on the market for 5.4 million euros. This sale illustrates fashion designers' enduring taste for discreet retreats. Read more on Vanity Fair
In Italy, a small 40 square meters apartment takes on a calming white and green palette. The light wood of the furniture and flooring immediately warms up the whole space. The architects design this two room flat for renting, with a renovation kept firmly within budget.
Despite its small size, the space stays functional thanks to space saving solutions. Every square meter serves a precise purpose, without sacrificing everyday comfort. Built in storage almost disappears completely into the overall decor. This renovation proves that a small budget does not rule out real stylistic coherence. Read more on Cose di Casa
In Corsica, at Porto Vecchio, Olivier and Héloïse renovate a family home in the heart of the Gulf of Santa Giulia. Their three children each enjoy the house at their own pace. Architect Sébastien Ramseyer takes on a major challenge, very low roofs that limited the sea views. He reworks the ceiling heights to open up new views over the Mediterranean.
Every room now enjoys a different view of the gulf. The private grounds preserve native vegetation all around the property. The colours adapt to the tastes of every family member. This holiday home shows personalisation taken right down to the smallest detail. Read more on Marie Claire Maison
This selection illustrates the diversity of approaches to decoration and architecture this week. From Normandy thatched cottages to American villas, each project reveals a distinctive vision. Original materials, colour and respect for older buildings recur as common threads.
This week also confirms that small spaces and large properties share the same demands for quality. Attention to detail makes all the difference, whatever the scale of the project. Find this selection every Sunday on Planète Déco. Previous editions remain available in the 'the Decor and Design Week' section by clicking on this link.
This week, from Normandy to Malta
This edition travels widely, from Normandy to Malta, taking in Spain and Corsica along the way. We discover a reinvented Normandy thatched cottage, a Maltese studio true to its heritage and a Spanish barn turned into a sustainable retreat. The selection also brings together two celebrity properties on the market, in England and the United States. These designer homes speak to a particular way of living. Between heritage renovations and cleverly optimised small spaces, each address takes a very different approach. Here are the ten features to discover this week!
A warm home that solves an architectural puzzle, Long Island
On Long Island, in the United States, the practice MCWRK transforms a charmless house into a creative sanctuary. The New York firm, led by Michael Campbell, answers a brief from a young couple of artists. They were looking for a calming retreat, away from the bustle of the city. The project also solves a practical problem, an illegal extension built half over the garage.
The architect designs a warm timber entrance that links this extension to the rest of the house. Plywood lines the walls and ceiling with great restraint. This raw material immediately creates a calm, welcoming atmosphere. The result unifies disparate volumes with real coherence. Read more on Dwell
A Normandy thatched cottage transformed into a British style family home
In the Pays d'Auge, in Normandy, a 90sqm thatched cottage is completely transformed. Architect Joy de l'Hermite, founder of Studio JLH, signs this renovation with her British touch. She reinvents Normandy's traditional codes to create an open, light filled interior. Bold colours warm up every room without abandoning the spirit of an English cottage.
The traditional thatched roof sits alongside thoroughly modern furniture. This unexpected pairing gives the house all its character. This family home is full of warmth and everyday life. The renovation proves that a traditional thatched cottage can embrace a thoroughly contemporary style. Read more on Marie Claire Maison
A micro apartment true to Maltese heritage, Cospicua
In Malta, in the historic district of Cospicua, a tiny apartment celebrates local architecture. Studio Niche signs the renovation of this property, named Bormla 1. Traditional Maltese tiles and the original stone walls remain visible throughout. Pastel and earthy tones bring warmth and calm to the small space.
Functionality comes first, without ever sacrificing style or the identity of the place. Every corner serves a precise purpose despite the particularly limited floor space. Modern comfort makes itself at home without erasing the heritage of the old building. This short-term rental studio charms visitors with its preserved authenticity. Read more on Studio Niche
A Spanish barn transformed into a bright, sustainable retreat
Deep in the Spanish countryside, a former barn becomes an exemplary country house. The building keeps its original double roof and exposed beams. This renovation prioritises natural light in every living space. The architects design the spaces to encourage sharing and family togetherness.
This generous volumes heighten this sense of rural comfort even further. The ceiling height also reinforces this feeling of space and freedom. The whole place gives off a warm atmosphere despite its large proportions. This project shows that a farm building can become a sustainable, comfortable home. Read more on Nuevo Estilo
A 40 square meters flat cleverly extended in the Chamberí district, Madrid
In the Madrid district of Chamberí, a 40 square meters apartment gains a real sense of generosity. The architects remove several partition walls to create open, connected spaces. Natural light now flows freely throughout the apartment. Light colours visually enlarge each room.
Bespoke furniture makes the most of every available corner. A few styling touches complete this renovation, designed for a modern way of life. The open plan kitchen further reinforces this sense of continuous space. This project illustrates well how targeted building work can create extra space. Read more on Elle Decor
Sienna Miller's listed cottage is looking for a new owner
In England, actress Sienna Miller puts her thatched Buckinghamshire cottage up for sale. Named Thatch, this Grade II listed property has featured on the cover of Architectural Digest. It occupies a peaceful spot in the Chiltern Hills, near West Wycombe.
The facade combines flint, brick and Tudor style render on one side. Inside, exposed beams and original floorboards span the centuries. Open fireplaces complete this decor, steeped in history and charm. The property covers almost 180 square meters. This sale should appeal to lovers of authentic English homes. Read more on Savills
A Haussmannian apartment reinvented through colour, near Paris
In Neuilly sur Seine, owners breathe new life into their Haussmannian apartment after ten years of living in it. Interior architect Julie Lacour orchestrates this transformation without touching the building's structure. She deploys a bold colour palette in every room. Bespoke designed furniture completes this new visual identity.
Every detail receives particular attention, from the mouldings right down to the door handles. The classic proportions gain personality this way, without losing any of their elegance. The result skilfully balances Haussmannian character with a bold contemporary touch. This project proves that a Haussmannian classic copes very well with bold use of colour. Read more on Côté Maison
Michael Kors leaves Fire Island and sells his villa for 5.4 million euros
American designer Michael Kors puts his Water Island villa up for sale. This tiny community comprises just 48 homes on the edge of the Fire Island National Seashore. The spot remains one of the most intimate and unspoilt corners of Fire Island.
No cars are allowed on this island, which can only be reached by boat. Carts and wheelbarrows take the place of vehicles for all trips. The property is on the market for 5.4 million euros. This sale illustrates fashion designers' enduring taste for discreet retreats. Read more on Vanity Fair
A 40 square meters two room flat designed for renting, Italy
In Italy, a small 40 square meters apartment takes on a calming white and green palette. The light wood of the furniture and flooring immediately warms up the whole space. The architects design this two room flat for renting, with a renovation kept firmly within budget.
Despite its small size, the space stays functional thanks to space saving solutions. Every square meter serves a precise purpose, without sacrificing everyday comfort. Built in storage almost disappears completely into the overall decor. This renovation proves that a small budget does not rule out real stylistic coherence. Read more on Cose di Casa
A holiday home designed for three generations, Porto Vecchio
In Corsica, at Porto Vecchio, Olivier and Héloïse renovate a family home in the heart of the Gulf of Santa Giulia. Their three children each enjoy the house at their own pace. Architect Sébastien Ramseyer takes on a major challenge, very low roofs that limited the sea views. He reworks the ceiling heights to open up new views over the Mediterranean.
Every room now enjoys a different view of the gulf. The private grounds preserve native vegetation all around the property. The colours adapt to the tastes of every family member. This holiday home shows personalisation taken right down to the smallest detail. Read more on Marie Claire Maison
This selection illustrates the diversity of approaches to decoration and architecture this week. From Normandy thatched cottages to American villas, each project reveals a distinctive vision. Original materials, colour and respect for older buildings recur as common threads.
This week also confirms that small spaces and large properties share the same demands for quality. Attention to detail makes all the difference, whatever the scale of the project. Find this selection every Sunday on Planète Déco. Previous editions remain available in the 'the Decor and Design Week' section by clicking on this link.
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