DESIGN TIP
‘For added interest, try creating some contrast in a room – simply pair elegant fittings with some rougher textures’
Rut Káradóttir was won over by the charm of this period house in northern Iceland. Not only was it in a small, friendly community with a thriving arts scene, but it was also set in the midst of beautiful countryside. The twist, however, was that Rut did not own the property – as an interior designer, she had been asked to renovate it.
‘The owners were keen to have a modern interior with a hint of sophistication, and I immediately felt I could create the kind of home I’d live in myself,’ says Rut. ‘It made the whole process so much easier.’
One major change was opening up the downstairs. The existing layout was a collection of small rooms with a lack of natural light. Removing walls and introducing glazed interior doors created a largely open-plan space, where light flows from one area to another, and views of the countryside can be enjoyed from every room.
The fact that the property is the family’s holiday home gave Rut a degree of freedom. ‘A second home doesn’t have to be practical in every respect,’ she says. ‘Colours can be darker and you can incorporate more pattern and texture.’ Complementing the outdoor surroundings was a factor, too, and the resulting scheme is every bit as dramatic as the landscape. In the sitting room, dark walls contrast with the glamour of an exuberant central chandelier while the choice of furniture is designed to create a homely, restful air. Wooden flooring also helped to create a link with nature and a practical surface.
For consistency, the same flooring and colour scheme carry through to the kitchen-diner, a space of interesting contrasts. The working end of the room is minimalist in its use of materials – clean-lined cabinetry, a modest sink and sleek marble worktops – while the dining area is plush and moody. This richness of texture is particularly evident upstairs, where a softer mood is achieved in the bedrooms through colours and textiles that provide a touch of romance. In terms of looks and usability, this house works well on many levels and more than meets Rut’s expectations. ‘When it was finished, I loved it so much, I could happily have moved in myself.’