4 minute read
The Ego line by Abimis for a 19th Century country mansion at the gates of Versailles
The kitchen is the heart of this holiday home nestled in the historic forest outside Versailles: Ego by Abimis is fitted in the island version, with a generous built-in snack bar.
A magical and unspoiled setting, filled with historical references: The Forest of Rambouillet is the second largest protected forest in France, a former royal summer residence of the Presidency of the Republic, and the stage of royal hunting expeditions until the reign of Louis XIV. In this green expanse covering more than 14,000 hectares of oaks and conifers, just 34 km from Versailles, stands an ancient 19th Century country mansion which was recently renovated, with the aim of preserving its architectural features and distinctive elements, and making it a refuge away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The kitchen area is the hub around which the distribution of all the rooms revolves and it replicates in a different scale - in the choice of finishes and materials used - the signature feature of the entire residence. A wallmounted kitchen block with stainless steel top and rosewood doors, which blend in with the exposed beams and is completed with appliances, hob and sink, faces a large island with an built-in snack bar from the Ego design line by Abimis. In glossy lacquered white and contrasting stainless steel handles, Ego is arranged here with a generously-sized top orbitally polished by hand, joint-free and intentionally free of appliances and accessories. The cleancut shapes thus accommodate the desire to create on one side a setting in which to conduct all the food preparation and cooking activities and on the other a micro-location for cosy intimacy for breakfast and a quick lunch.
On the opposite side to the built-in snack bar, fitted with high stools, Ego is completed with storage units and high-capacity drawers for storing and organising crockery and glassware, with silent opening, rounded internal corners and completely invisible hinging pivots –patented by Abimis - for improved hygiene and easier sanitising tasks. These are also ensured by the fact the kitchen is made of AISI 304 stainless steel, the perfect material for food contact, which is resistant to corrosion, wear and high temperatures.
In this home, Ego perfectly expresses its essence as a ‘custom’ design line: even the wall-mounted hood, again clad with stainless steel, and borrowed from the professional catering world, was made by Abimis.
The building stretches over two storeys and is framed by a dark wood patio and a tiled roof, contrasting the pastel shades of the peach coloured dry plaster and the mint green barn shutters, a strong reminder of the dwelling’s rural soul. The interior design is deliberately arranged to compensate for the storage unit: the arched passageways, the exposed wooden beams on the ceiling and some original features such as the stone fireplace, stand out against the all-white walls and floors. Vice-versa, the furnishings draw the attention again, with modern antiques mixed with more contemporary items, including shabby chic inspired natural materials, stainless steel elements and fabrics with remarkable wefts, which warm up the atmosphere which is generally very measured.
The ground floor plays host to a generously sized open-plan living space with windows, which leads seamlessly into the minimalist dining room with all-wood furniture, set in a winter garden overlooking the private courtyard. The passage from the living area to the kitchen is instead filtered solely by a pair of arches, free of doors, which are mirrored on the opposite side and which enshrine the passage to the bedroom area with attic ceiling and skylight, and an area equipped for use as a home office. The upper floor, on the other hand, houses other rooms and features an open gallery visible from the living area that joins the various environments; its metal parapet is one of the elements inspired by the contemporary look that distinguishes the interiors, striking a delicate balance with the rustic soul of the ancient country dwelling.
