British design studio These White Walls, best known for the interiors of HIDE restaurant in Mayfair, London, has redesigned the independent boutique hotel Nordelaia, situated in the UNESCO world heritage site of Montferrat.
With easy access from Milan, Genoa, and Turin, this 12-room hotel is set among five hectares of agricultural land. The hotel, built around a farmhouse dating back to the year 800.
“Our design for Nordelaia is centered around wellbeing and escapism; the aim being to create a holistic and nurturing environment in which guests can relax, switch off and connect – not only with each other – but also with the stunning landscape that surrounds them”, – says Rose Murray, Founder of These White Walls. “We define this design as ‘rustic-luxe, where rest and reconnection with nature go hand-in-hand with cultivated indulgence”.
The designers have carefully planned the concept of the rooms along with maintaining a balance between cultural history and modern luxury. Likewise, the thought process is also unique with some bedrooms having two wardrobes and two workspaces, symmetrically positioned opposite each other, as a reminder that we are all independent individuals connected by a common experience. It is also a place with digital detox since there are no TVs.
Even the materials and the design of the rooms have been done in keeping the atmosphere of the place. Surrounded by ornamental green spaces that extend from the guests’ own terraces, the ground floor ‘Garden’ rooms feature textured materials, including rustic woods, natural stone burnished metals, and wrought iron. These sit in contrast to the ‘Legacy’ rooms on the second floor that feature materials such as velvet and brass. Tucked away at the top of the building are the private ‘Attico’ rooms. Much of the furniture is bespoke, created by local artisans with some key pieces and fittings from notable Italian designers.
The design of the restaurants is also inspired by their surroundings: the ground floor reflects bonds between earth and nature, revealed in deep shades of green and a palette reminiscent of soil and roots. In contrast, the first-floor restaurant is a reference to a garden, in shades of pink and peach.
The kitchen counter is decorated with laser-cut brass detailed with the image of a dandelion blowing seeds into the wind. Designers also decided to add laser-cut insects to the light fitting as a reference to the emergence and spread of new ideas into the world. The Nordelaia’s dining concept has Michelin-starred Chef Andrea Ribaldone and the resident chef Charles Pearce mixing local culinary traditions with experimentations.
The hotel’s swimming pool also has a view of the Montferrat Valley. At the spa facilities, guests will be able to hammam, sauna, and Kneipp pool, as well as yoga and NOHrD, equipped gym spaces.
