Thanks to the masterful intervention of designer Petr Grigorash, the vintage furnishings of this 807 square meter house in a small village near Como offer a fresh interpretation of a certain northern Italian classicism. Perhaps the first place you will notice this modern touch is the use of recycled and eco-friendly materials. Pieces of wood and metal from the existing framework were salvaged to build a staircase and a bespoke kitchen. A shoemaker's workbench has been transformed into a bedside table, while cardboard screens and paintings of mushrooms reflect the same commitment. The end result is a surprising yet inviting environment that combines raw and structural brutalist elements with vintage accents and exotic details.
From the church to the mountains
The apartment is in an old building in the heart of the city, about 90 meters from the towering church. “But the back of the house opens up to a terraced property – and beyond that there’s just forest, stretching all the way to a mountain in the distance,” shares Grigorash. The building's exact construction date is unknown, but it was recently renovated. The house occupies half of the property and is divided into two floors: a living area covers the ground floor, which also includes a kitchen and dining area, a bathroom and, if required, a guest bedroom. On the upper floor there is a large and bright bedroom that also serves as an office.
Vintage furniture and salvaged materials
According to Grigorash, the project was based on a clear brief: to treat the existing house with the utmost respect, preserving the few remaining authentic details and integrating them with carefully selected contemporary elements. The room is small, but the result is impressive. “Much of the vintage furniture came from shops in nearby towns. The selection process became a true storytelling journey as antique dealers enthusiastically recounted the origins of each piece,” says the designer.
An old butcher's table became a desk and an old shoemaker's workbench became a bedside table. Even the carpets have a story. “They came from a market in Marrakech where they were hand-hemmed by a young apprentice,” says Grigorash, who also designed some bespoke pieces that sit alongside the vintage furniture. With his unique style and passion for creative reuse, Grigorash has a penchant for salvaged materials. “The living room desk is made of discarded marble and is supported by a rough concrete base,” explains the designer. The custom kitchen cabinets were made from salvaged scaffolding – “both an aesthetic and functional choice, as the material is resistant to changes in humidity and temperature” – as were the stairs.