One of the biggest challenges in interior design is combining a historical building’s character with modern lifestyle requirements. The Mediterranean-style living room shown here perfectly demonstrates how to masterfully achieve this balance.
The most dominant feature of the interior is the striking roof structure, whose original wooden beams lend a warm, friendly atmosphere to the space. The designers wisely chose to keep these visible, as they establish the room’s fundamental character. The warm tone of the beams extends across all wooden surfaces, creating a unified color palette that connects furniture pieces from different periods.
The original stone wall cladding and brick arches preserve the house’s Mediterranean character, while large, modern windows allow abundant natural light and provide panoramic views. Light white curtains soften the raw architectural elements while respecting the building’s original character.
The furnishing presents a particularly interesting journey through time: traditional turned wooden chairs and carved sideboards lurking in the background represent the house’s original era, while the elegant, minimalist Scandinavian sofa and metal-legged coffee table bring in contemporary design. The mid-century modern dining table creates a perfect bridge between old and new.
The original ship deck flooring, though not in perfect condition, exudes authenticity and fits well with the house’s historical nature. The geometrically patterned rug adds a postmodern touch, bringing a fresh, contemporary element to the space while serving the practical function of protecting the wooden floor.
The strategic placement of plants breathes life into the space, while the careful selection of lighting fixtures – from industrial-style pendant lamps to modern floor lamps – adds additional layers to the interior’s character.
This interior excellently demonstrates that when renovating a historical building, one doesn’t necessarily have to choose between old and new. Different period styles, when properly selected and harmoniously arranged, can collectively create a unique space that both respects the past and serves the present.
Interestingly, the flow of time is visible in how the house has evolved: what began as a rustic Mediterranean house with a visible roof structure has been thoughtfully updated over generations. Modern windows have been installed, and as generations changed, more contemporary furniture was introduced. Yet despite the wood elements coming from different eras, careful attention was paid to ensuring all wooden elements have a cohesively aging effect. The warm white tone of the wood was maintained throughout, creating a unified whole that speaks to both the past and present.
The result is a masterful blend of eras and styles that creates not just a living space, but a narrative of architectural and design history that continues to evolve while maintaining its essential character.