Erika | Barbara Vucusa

The flat is located on the noble (first) floor of a historical palace known as Palazzo Rubatti di Torricella or Palazzo Tornaforte. Built in the mid-17th century by Arch. F. Gallo, it is located in the historical centre of Cuneo.

Before the design and renovation work, the large living room was divided into a corridor, living room and kitchen, with the presence of false ceilings and diversification in the tile flooring dating from the 1970s.

Removing the false ceiling, 18th century frescoes were discovered and carefully restored to their original design and colouring.

There was no longer any trace of the old flooring. This is why I wanted to create a new resin floor, inserting natural aggregates in order to obtain a floor as close as possible to the ancient grit, which could interface with the frescoes of the vaults, without one prevailing over the other. The effect obtained is particularly pleasing as it gives the flat a fresh, light aspect. This flooring is present throughout the flat, without interruption or change of material or colour.

The entrance opens directly into the living room with a view of a sofa with soft, enveloping lines, for which special shades and textures were chosen for the upholstery fabrics.

The project, while respecting the client's requirements, at the same time wanted to restore the flat to its original, opulent appearance, giving the living room back the characteristics of aristocratic salons, allowing those who enter to breathe in a bit of the atmosphere of period palaces.

The kitchen, dining table and furnishings have been tailor-made for the client and designed around the spaces, so that the transition from one area to another is hardly perceptible, while each retains its function.

The clean lines of the custom-made furniture alternate with the fuller and more opulent forms of designer furnishings, such as Kartell's Louis XIV chairs and Cattelan's golden rusticated sideboard, chosen to balance and fill the rooms with their presence.Every detail has been taken care of. Even the lighting is integrated in the context, entering the scene more as decoration than as a technical element.The general light is positioned above the existing frames of the vaulted ceiling, serving on the one hand to illuminate the entire room and on the other hand to enhance the vaults of the living room and bedroom, and other punctual lights by FLOS which, being aesthetic, almost take on the role of decoration. The floor plan distribution of the bedroom is peculiar: its shape has led it to be divided, by means of two wings, into three distinct areas: bed, walk-in wardrobe, private bathroom.

The wing behind the bed hides the walk-in wardrobe.

From the bed, one can enjoy the view of the free-standing bath enhanced by wallpaper (Inkiostrobianco's limited edition series), thus recreating an elegant and relaxing atmosphere, reminiscent of the bathrooms of castles and stately homes of the time.

Behind this second wing is a private bathroom with a floor-standing washbasin and antique mirror.

Between the various rooms of the house, glimpses and crevices intrigue and go beyond their simple function of passage, hosting custom-designed furnishings and ensuring lively perspectives.

The wood panelling in the living room and the lamps positioned on either side of the TV frame the area, giving it a special artistic connotation.

Contemporary works of art (paintings and clay sculptures) can be found on the living room walls.

The guest bathroom is a mixture of strong and delicate, masculine and feminine elements that harmonise with each other. Resin strips of different sizes and shades of colour have been used to cover the bathroom, all along the wall behind the shower and sanitary fixtures, creating the right backdrop in a bathroom with an irregular floor plan and indirect, almost liquid natural light. Behind the pair of washbasins, also made to design, two full-height, backlit mirrors amplify and expand the space.