In Black and White

Photography by Jana Sebestova

The interior designer Paola Maré has transformed a portion of a building, originally used as a body shop, into a bright loft with a private patio, located in a pleasant courtyard in the city centre of Turin.

The renovation project takes advantage of the typical characteristics of artisanal and industrial buildings: few structural constraints, important internal heights and lots of light that enters from the windows of the attic ceilings. To obtain a wider and well-proportioned plan, the wall dividing the two long and narrow sections was removed, while three metal carpentry mezzanines were created to take advantage of the height.

Under the two larger ones are the walk-in closet, the entrance to the house decorated with wallpaper, the main bathroom and the study with independent entrance. The interior is dominated by white in contrast with black iron, warmed up by birch plywood elements. In the bathroom, we find a very refined design with a perfect balance between two colors, also attenuated by the white tiles with gray circles by Vives Ceramica. The large open space can be visually divided into two parts: the right part is made up of the dining area, the partially visible kitchen and the staircase leading to the bedroom; the opposite side houses the living room and the second staircase. Here, a slatted wooden sliding panel that separates the studio from the rest of the house was made to order. The minimalist style prefers this space where the Bend sofa by B&B Italia together with the pouf are the only protagonists. Its irregular shape enhances comfort while the light contrast stitching defines the design and movement. Behind, we find a load-bearing wall which stands out for its raw state, thus transforming itself into a work of art. Seletti’s Monkey lamp in resin adds a theatrical touch to the environment. Also, the stairs leading to the mezzanines have different shapes and colors to soften the overall symmetry which otherwise would have had a severe appearance.

In the living area, a portion of the roof was removed to create a private outdoor space. This well of light, which further increases the brightness of the environment, is closed on two sides by large sliding doors that create continuity between inside and outside. The dining area is composed by a table with a wooden structure that can be glimpsed thanks to the glass top and the black wood chairs. Above, the circle lamps of various sizes and at different heights have been positioned to balance the colors and give continuity. The shapes of the circle continue in the black and white plates hanging on the masonry partition that partially hides the kitchen. Both the divider and the kitchen furnishings were custom made.

A mezzanine houses the bedroom and small bathroom, while the other two are relaxation areas or spaces for guests. These areas are characterized by a simple and welcoming design, with some touches of pastel green.

In the bedroom, the highlight is the exposed bathtub by Kaldewei which, thanks to its exceptionally soft interior lines, visually blends into the ambiance. Here, Axolight's lamp with a white fabric covering has been positioned that generates a soft light creating a relaxing atmosphere.