Designers from the MAB Arquitectura studio have restored a 20th-century aristocratic mansion located on Mondello Bay. Large windows, intricately decorated ceilings and terraces lined with majolica create an impressive Liberty-style arrangement.
The villa is located on Mondello Bay
Photo by Benedetto Tarantino
Italian Art Nouveau
The building originally served officers, then was converted into a two-story villa by Count Tasca d'Almerita. The property is more than 400 square meters. The architects preserved its original layout centered around a stair turret with a wooden coffered ceiling and colorful stained glass windows by Pietro Bevilacqua. The decorations depict two peacocks - a symbol of eternity and beauty. This motif is characteristic of the Liberty style, which originated in Sicily. The design combined original elements with modern solutions that highlighted the unusual layout, materials and details of the property.
The peacock motif was often used in Liberty style arrangements
Photo by Benedetto Tarantino
- Mediterranean cities have a rich history, culture and tradition. In our projects, we aim to preserve and enrich this heritage, reinterpreting spaces to meet contemporary needs. We use local materials, traditional architectural forms and create surrounding greenery, inspired by the natural beauty of the region," say Floriana Marotta and Massimo Basile, architects from the MAB Arquitectura studio.
Maintaining authenticity
Villa Liberty, with its design reminiscent of the architecture of holiday homes in Palermo, has been renovated to emphasize its relationship with its surroundings, the garden and the sea. Simple lines and large windows were complemented with colorful but sophisticated furniture and accessories. Replacing damaged elements, the architects chose to use period materials, but set in a more contemporary context. For example, instead of terrazzo tiles on the floors you will find a marble floor. Its surface has been decorated with a double-frame motif, which refers to the building's facade.
The property is more than 400 sq m
Photo by Benedetto Tarantino
A new dimension of history
The original Carrara marble flooring with Bardiglio rhomboidal in lays in the lobby and living room has been restored, and in the bedrooms, oak parquet laid in a Hungarian herringbone pattern has been laid instead of tiles. Sicilian tiles, which had been removed, were reused in the bathrooms and the third floor annex.
- Our goal was to preserve the atmosphere of the house while giving it a modern twist. We introduced bold elements that remain in dialogue with the villa's historic character. The modern additions do not clash with the original period elements, but rather highlight them and add to their charm," the architects explain.
Among other things, the architects restored the original flooring in the living room
Photo by Benedetto Tarantino
Reclaimed finishing materials
The main entrance is located on the first floor. Right next to a marble staircase with a wrought iron balustrade. From the spacious lobby and dining room, we can walk to a large terrace overlooking the garden and the sea. On the other side of the building, meanwhile, bedrooms and a kitchen have been arranged. On the second floor, symmetrical terraces surround the master bedroom and two other bedrooms. Of note are the blue and white majolica tiles, which were restored, becoming the main decoration of the arrangement.
During the renovation it was possible to restore, among other things, the majolica tiles
Photo by Benedetto Tarantino
Asian influences
In the living room, restored paneling, a wood and marble bar and an ornate ceiling were complemented by modern elements. The fireplace has been placed between two shutters facing the terrace while a large, custom-made bookcase extends along the back wall. It also serves as a sort of divider separating the living room from the dining room. It is worth noting the two large Chinese porcelain vases standing on the bookcase, which beautifully match the color scheme of the Mediterranean arrangement.
In the interior you will also find elements of Chinese art
Photo by Benedetto Tarantino
Kitchen with aged wood
The kitchen island has a marble top and a wooden surface for dining at it. However, this is not the last element made of this natural material. There is also restored wooden paneling. The floor was replaced with a reinterpretation of the hexagonal cement tiles used in the annex of the house and the white Carrara marble used in the living room. The result was flooring in two finishes.
The kitchen island was finished with a marble countertop
Photo by Benedetto Tarantino
A meal with a view
The dining room, located on the old veranda, was fitted with new wooden windows. Their frames were painted white on the inside and blue on the outside. The blue shade of majolica tiles was also transferred to the windows and wrought iron sills decorated with floral motifs typical of the liberty style.
The shutters were painted white on the inside and blue on the outside
Photo by Benedetto Tarantino
In Sicilian style
The facade is distinguished by the use of cornices and openings typical of Italian architecture from the Palermo region. Under a layer of yellow-beige acrylic paint, traces of light-colored plaster were discovered, which the architects decided to recover according to the canons of conservative restoration, using a natural lime-based Marmorino lining. MAB Arquitectura also preserved the ceramic decorations of Moroccan majolica, representing the then fashionable "exotic" style.
On the façade you will find, among other things, cornices and majolica
Photo by Benedetto Tarantino
Mediterranean nature
The geometric layout of the Italian garden and the English-style lawn have also been preserved. Surrounding the building are majestic Washingtonia palms, centuries-old fig trees and coastal pines. The garden also features an infinity pool, finished in white Modica stone.
The infinity pool is surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation
Photo by Benedetto Tarantino
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Compiled by:KATARZYNA SZOSTAK
