Italian Houzz: Traditional Woodcarving Brings a Castle to Life
Two brothers, master craftsmen both, create a decorative work of art in this home in the Italian Alps
This baroque chalet is a monument to time, patience and craft. An intimate and cosy space in which to take refuge during the winter, Little Castle, as it’s called, is a sort of laboratory for what can be made with wood when entrusted to skilled hands.
The living room receives light from a window and the decorative panel in the ceiling. Light blue velvet curtains provide privacy and avoid any hint of minimalistic empty space.
“We were born among planers and chisels, breathing the scent of wood, in a small village surrounded by the beautiful valleys of the Dolomites,” says Gianpaolo Zandegiacomo, who with his brother Davide owns Bottega d’Arte, a company specialising in the production of wooden interiors and hand-carved furniture.
It was in the village of Auronzo di Cadore, not far from Little Castle, that the brothers learned the carpentry trade in the workshop founded by their father, Bruno, in the mid-1960s. The boys began to discover the joy of woodworking while making the traditional Carnival masks of Sappada, the hometown of their mother, Emma.
“We were born among planers and chisels, breathing the scent of wood, in a small village surrounded by the beautiful valleys of the Dolomites,” says Gianpaolo Zandegiacomo, who with his brother Davide owns Bottega d’Arte, a company specialising in the production of wooden interiors and hand-carved furniture.
It was in the village of Auronzo di Cadore, not far from Little Castle, that the brothers learned the carpentry trade in the workshop founded by their father, Bruno, in the mid-1960s. The boys began to discover the joy of woodworking while making the traditional Carnival masks of Sappada, the hometown of their mother, Emma.
The Zandegiacomos start every project in close dialogue with the client. “It’s important to spend a lot of time together, to see where he first looks when he comes home, to understand how he intends to use the space, and of course to discover what his taste is and what suits him,” Gianpaolo says.
In the case of Little Castle, the client had expressed a precise desire to bring the opulence and stylistic features of Venetian interior design to this house in the mountains. From this decision sprung one of the most original and surprising decorative elements of the home: the oil painting on the ceiling that mimics the iconography of Tiepolo.
In the case of Little Castle, the client had expressed a precise desire to bring the opulence and stylistic features of Venetian interior design to this house in the mountains. From this decision sprung one of the most original and surprising decorative elements of the home: the oil painting on the ceiling that mimics the iconography of Tiepolo.
Here’s a look at the cosy and richly decorated dining area, with its drapery and many decorative objects. One of the most notable is an antler chandelier that sprouts a completely unexpected mermaid. A full-height stove lends a statuary touch and emphasises the symmetry of the room.
The oil painting on the ceiling isn’t the only unusual pairing. Wood mixes splendidly with many other materials, as demonstrated by the onyx benchtop in the kitchen.
The line of lighting over the bench makes the stone shine, heightening its splendour, while in the skylight, a small heart in Tyrolean style brings us back to the spirit of the place and its traditions.
The line of lighting over the bench makes the stone shine, heightening its splendour, while in the skylight, a small heart in Tyrolean style brings us back to the spirit of the place and its traditions.
No corner of the apartment is lacking in details or personality. The decorative elements like the wooden wall clock with gold leaf and the formella (a traditional carved wood piece, often painted) were fashioned by hand, thanks to specialised skilled workers, who were able to give them a realistic antiqued effect.
In the hallway, a Venetian chandelier with floral decorations shares space with rustic touches typical of mountain homes, especially the wrought-iron hinges and latch on the door.
The curvy bedheads recall the carved walls throughout the house. All details, including the paintings, reflect the luxurious traditional style of the Venetian aristocracy, translated for a mountain location.
Bottega d’Arte projects begin on the computer. After a laser scan of the entire space, the house is virtually reconstructed via a 3D simulation, and the furnishings take shape. No project can begin without an accurate rendering and the creation of a database of pieces that are digitally cataloged, created by hand and assembled on-site. This procedure keeps the phases of the project under control, ensures that errors are avoided and keeps the cost of the work in check.
Bottega d’Arte projects begin on the computer. After a laser scan of the entire space, the house is virtually reconstructed via a 3D simulation, and the furnishings take shape. No project can begin without an accurate rendering and the creation of a database of pieces that are digitally cataloged, created by hand and assembled on-site. This procedure keeps the phases of the project under control, ensures that errors are avoided and keeps the cost of the work in check.
The cosy sleeping area under the pitched roof has the same jewel-box charm as the rest of the house. Here, twin carved cherubs rise above custom recessed bedside tables.
Marble inserts support shelves in the bathroom, but even here, wood is everywhere. “Most clients usually hesitate when it comes to using wood panelling in the bathroom,” Gianpaolo says. “But if the wood is properly treated in a way that allows it to breathe, wood can be in contact with water without undergoing any modifications in colour or appearance and without deteriorating.
“Wood and water can live together perfectly,” he adds. “If this were not true, boats wouldn’t float, and Venice, a city kept above water by wooden poles, would have sunk long ago.”
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“Wood and water can live together perfectly,” he adds. “If this were not true, boats wouldn’t float, and Venice, a city kept above water by wooden poles, would have sunk long ago.”
TELL US
What do you think of the carved decorations in this opulent Italian home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Where: Cortina d’Ampezzo, in the province of Belluno, Veneto, northern Italy
Who lives here: A professional couple
Designers: Gianpaolo and Davide Zandegiacomo of Bottega d’Arte
Year renovated: 2010
Size: 75 square metres; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a living-dining room and a small kitchen
Starting from the entrance, wood – specifically, spruce – is used on every surface of Little Castle, the English nickname the owners half-jokingly gave their mountain home. The material isn’t reserved just for the classic flooring; it’s also on the walls, ceilings, mouldings, front door and Corinthian-style columns. The columns, more than any other element, give the home an elegant and regal touch.