Your browser is out-of-date.
To get a better experience with our home designs, please download other browsers for free. Just click on the icon!
Today on homify we will be looking at a before and after project that has resulted in a stunning oasis in the picturesque Algarve region of Portugal. The crisp white and sunny home stands as an oasis in the midst of an arid natural backdrop. Based in Lisbon, the Atelier RUA design team is responsible the facelift this home has received. The transformation largely served to modernise and polish up an abandoned farmhouse. Though what gives the home its aesthetic appeal now is the designers’ wise decision to maintain some of the rustic details originally found in the home. Taking after the architectural styles of many homes in the Algarve region, this house is a ranch with a traditional roof, a large white plaster wall surrounding the abode, and ceilings lines with reeds. The designers’ intentions to use traditional construction methods paid off, as the home is now a stunning retreat for a family to spend their holidays. Its rustic country look fits perfectly with its surroundings and creates an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern times.
The old farmhouse property is located in the Algarve Mountains near the town of Tavira. The surrounding area is agricultural, and many of the buildings in this region adhere to the same traditional architectural structure. At the start, the design team saw this abandoned house as being full of potential. Not much else is known about the origins of this particular house, but it has since been transformed into a lovely vacation home!
The design team decided to maintain the same overall structure of the home to keep in accordance with the charming, rustic Algarve architecture of the area. Still, they revamped the exterior in a crisp and clean way that has the same essence of a country abode with a freshened façade. Using traditional construction techniques, the main home was updated, which consists of a foyer, kitchen, three small auxiliary rooms, and two bedrooms.
The property is divided into two distinct sections. To reach the main entrance of the home, one must walk through a path lined with carob and olive trees. An orchard of fruit trees surrounds the more private entryway. Here we can see the walls that divide the two spaces. The result is a small labyrinth of shaded spots for relaxing.
Here we can get another glimpse of how the design team maintained original structural elements of the home within the interior. The ceiling of this cosy living area is covered with the same reeds found in the original abandoned farmhouse. To give them a fresh look, they were painted white. The more modern furniture and rustic accessories further extend the balance between old and new aesthetics.
The white interior plays well with the light to create a cheerful and spacious environment in the living area. The twine rug and wooden beams in the ceiling give the home an earthy, country look. Another modern addition worth noting is the inbuilt shelving unit, which provides necessary storage without taking away from the overall simplicity of the space.
Perhaps the most distinct example of the way the old, traditional look of the home is met with reminders that we are now in the 21st century. The neon coloured lettering in the wall hanging of the dining room adds a dose of vivacity. The plaster light fixture is another means of refurbishing an old aesthetic in a contemporary way. of course, the table and chairs help to hold down the rustic trend in a fundamental way.
The added walls surrounding the home add the benefit of creating a backdrop for pleasant little setups like this one, perfect for visiting, reading the newspaper, and enjoying a cup of coffee in the sun. The built in bench can be an accommodating spot for those wishing to bask in the sun or retreat to the shade depending on the time of day.
The concrete floors and weathered wooden ceiling are the creators of definition in this space as they sandwich a predominantly white midsection. The shape of the bedroom is modern. The room narrows into a corridor at the end of which is a mirror and washbasin for dressing. Each of the bedrooms has its own private patio.
Within the walls, which are surrounded by fruit trees, lies this intimate alcove that contains a heated pool. The pool itself stands as the most distinctly modern, luxury addition to the original structure. The home provides a picturesque aesthetic that will facilitate relaxation as a getaway for vacationers. In addition to this, the home comes with all the modern amenities afforded to us in modern time to ensure the visitors’ comfort.
If you enjoyed this tour, check out this sultry abode in Mérida. Happy decorating!
