Here at homify, we have taken you all over the world to show you gorgeous homes created by some of the world's best architects. But have you ever wondered what some of those home renovation projects looked like before our architects got to work? Well today, we are going to show you an example of just that.
We are taking you to Italy to show you the amazing transformation of a single family home in Balestrate. This before and after project was executed by the architect at Giulia Pellegrino Studio di Progettazione, and before she got down to business, as you will soon see, this home was in desperate need of quite a lot of work. Giulia Pellegrino transformed this run down, paint chipped, mold and pest infested hole in the wall into a spectacular, clean, and functional home, outfitted in the modern and minimalist design. So without further ado, let's take a look at this amazing renovation project!
Right off the bat, we can see that this home was in some serious need of attention. The concrete exterior is peeling away and the colours in the foundation are completely warped.
We can see the small growth of vegetation creeping up the side of the structure near the the broken and rusted pipes, which does not bode well for the foundation of the home itself, as the roots of many types of vegetation affect the integrity of the overall structure and make it unsound.
The doors of the home are old, worn, and the varnish is chipped. Not only that, but the doors look as if they are about to fall right off of their hinges.
This after photo gives us just a taste of the remodeling we are about to experience. The once tattered and unkempt front entrance is now pristinely painted a flattering white with salmon accents. The doors have been replaced with newer, sturdier dark timber, and we can see that the original door design was maintained in the transformation. We still have the wooden shutters to let in that sunlight, but we also have the addition of two storm doors right behind the timber doors.
Above the entryway, we can see that the architect also redesigned the balcony. The old and rusted metal railing has been replaced with a sturdier rust-proof metal, and support beams have been added to the underbelly for stylish flair and added security. Another difference we can see in this exterior is the addition of a cooling system. Not only do the residents of this home get a world class aesthetic makeover, but they also get the added luxury of climate control.
In the top part of this photo, we see the old structure of the upper terrace. The roof is overgrown with grass and moss, and there is just no telling what kinds of fungus, insects, or other pests are stuck up in the thatching and drainage systems. The exterior paint is chipping here, as well, and neglect has resulted in mould growth.
But in the bottom image, we can see a beautifully transformed space. The first thing we notice is the incredible cleanup and paint job on the exterior. A white exterior was a great choice by the architect, because it allows for a brighter space and it exhibits an overall classier look. Another difference we can see here is the addition of large glass doors that open up to the interior, allowing a great amount of natural light to circulate inside and open up the home.
From this image, we can see that the interior of the home was in no better condition than the exterior. We see the same chipping of the paint, yet here the pink colour of the walls is slightly more uniform, as the staircase and the interior of the home was not exposed to the elements the way the exterior is, and was therefore spared some of the harsh effects of time.
The stairs themselves are fashioned from concrete and give the home a dark and depressing feeling. We can see discolouration on the steps and stains from water from some of the leaky pipes. The top of the stairs provides no additional beauty, as it is just a segue to a miserable grey blue room.
And here we have the transformed staircase. So many changes have been made to this home to make it the minimalist beauty that it is today. It is a bright and amazing transformation from what we saw just moments ago. First of all, we can see that one of the walls of the staircase was removed completely. To the left of the stairwell lies the living room, and without that wall, the space is opened up, providing a breath of fresh air to a once stagnant and stuffy home.
The concrete steps were also replaced by lightly coloured timber. All of the walls of the interior were painted a pristine white, really driving home the idea of fresh, clean, and new. The light colours used in the interior make the space feel more open and much larger, which also contributes to an overall happier disposition of the residents.
Here we see another entry point of the home. The glass doors, framed in red painted wood, bring us into the living area. The doors themselves are tattered, the paint is chipped, and the glass on the doors have been etched and worn down by time. The doorway to the right has no door on its hinges and leads to the bathroom.
Farther to the right and outside the scope of this image, we have the old staircase. The floors here are nothing to marvel at, either. Coated in dust and dirt, this concrete tiled floor gives off an unfriendly and industrial vibe, and there are loose wires and cobwebs hanging every which way in the home.
And here we have the new space! Once again, everything has been transformed into something better. The walls remain white, but now we have a fresh and pristine coat, giving this living area new life. The glass doors have been replaced with solid wooden white doors. Leaving out the red trim was a smart architectural decision, as a bold or deep red would have impacted the minimalist interior, making it more vibrant, when here the goal was for calming and neutral.
Instead of the empty space between the entryway and the gateway to the bathroom, we now have a small flat screen television set atop a modern TV stand. To the right of the image is a moderately sized grey couch, positioned perfectly so that residents and guests can watch television and view the rest of the home with ease. The bathroom has now been equipped with a door, which is ideal for any home situation, and the floors have been replaced with a classier and sturdier tile.
If you liked this before and after, be sure to check out this incredible apartment renovation in Japan!