< Previous60 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Autumn 2020 Among arcades of Victorian-style residences, Alessia Mainardi’s recently renovated Pembridge Villa offers a bolder take on family life, writes Iman Vakil An outside view of the Pembridge Villa revamped by Alessia Mainardi HBI_047_60-63_FEATURE_Notting hill_11374972.indd 6004/10/2020 06:24:02 PM The FEATURE 61 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Autumn 2020 In the charming Notting Hill neighbourhood of London, Italian interior designer Alessia Mainardi was tasked with completely redesigning a dynamic 240 square-metre family home, spread out across four levels. She responded by installing a double-height ceiling to open the inaugural receiving space of the villa, a made- to-measure kitchen by Boffi and a modern fl oating glass and wooden staircase to separate private and entertaining spaces, with a laminated crystal parapet leading up to the fl oor. For the lower levels, the designer implemented an eclectic palette of large bronze blocks, ash black, black marble and textured wood panelling, alongside wooden fl oors and chiseled cabinetry across the halls and living rooms. While not shying away from bringing together varied patterns and materials, the furniture was largely sourced from B&B Italia, clean-cut and classic, with the occasional splash of royal purple and vase of fl owers. Mainardi prides herself on the manufacturing and design heritage of her country of origin, often turning to Minotti’s living rooms, fabrics from Hermès and Dedar, and the lamps of the Venetian craftsman Carlo Moretti as her go-tos. “We only work with the best artisans, especially from Italy, who are committed to exquisite workmanship in time-honoured fashion, allowing us to create truly unique artistic spaces for each individual client,” says Mainardi. “Being Milanese, and spending most of my life in Milan, my designs and inspirations very much refl ect my heritage and upbringing. I am inspired by the timeless Milanese design styles from the era of Gio Ponti to the ‘80s with Gae Aulenti, Luigi Caccia Dominioni and the Castiglioni brothers, to name a few.” Filled with rhythmically-placed, small but mighty statement accessories that are often gold, it’s easy to recognise Mainardi’s background in jewellery design. While the lower fl oors are loud and characterised by a decisive linearity of contrasting structure, in the upper fl oors, where the bedrooms and more private spaces are Interior views of the Pembridge Villa “I L O V E T O S A Y M Y A P P R O A C H T O D E S I G N I S FO CUS E D O N P R O B L E M - S O L V I N G . I L O O K A T T H E S P A C E , I S T U D Y M Y C L I E N T A N D I P R O V I D E T H E M W I T H TH E BE S T S O L U TION F O R TH E I R HOM E ” HBI_047_60-63_FEATURE_Notting hill_11374972.indd 6104/10/2020 06:24:08 PMCREDIT HERE The FEATURE 62 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Autumn 2020 The stairway area of the Pembridge Villa features bronze tones and clean lines, and a glass and wooden staircase “B E I N G M I L A N E S E , A N D S P E N D I N G M O S T O F M Y L I F E I N M I L A N , M Y D E S I G N S A N D IN S P IR A T I O N S V E R Y M U CH RE F L E C T M Y H E RI T A G E AN D U P B R I N G I N G ” HBI_047_60-63_FEATURE_Notting hill_11374972.indd 6204/10/2020 06:24:16 PM The FEATURE 63 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Autumn 2020 held, the interiors dramatically soften, with monochromes, sparser fi ttings and the occasional nostalgic dark wood armoire. In the large windows, light is subdued with the warmth of the wenge parquet, and circular mirrors lend a more feminine interpretation of the space. When asked about her approach to design, Mainardi answers, “I love to say my approach to design is focused on problem-solving. I look at the space, I study my client and I provide them with the best solution for their home, combining their desires and my design skills. They respect our direct approach, we inform them of what works and what will not.” ■ alessiamainardi.com Interior views of the bedroom and living space of the villa, renovated by Alessia Mainardi PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK SMITH HBI_047_60-63_FEATURE_Notting hill_11374972.indd 6304/10/2020 06:24:27 PM64 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Autumn 2020 64 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Interiors Spring 2019 The FEATURE Amid 70 hectares of Southern Italian olive groves, founder of the eponymous Alexander Waterworth Interiors talks us through the renovation of Masseria Petrarolo, from a 17th century farmhouse into a contemporary private guesthouse Reviving OLD LAND Words by IMAN VAKIL HBI_047_64-67_FEATURE_Alexander Waterworth_11374369.indd 6404/10/2020 06:25:21 PM65 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Autumn 2020 In the heart of Puglia, the farmhouse Masseria Petrarolo once stood as a fortifi ed stronghold against Saracen invaders from as early as 1689. After laying untouched for several years, the owners called on the mindful design studio Alexander Waterworth Interiors to transform the space into a dreamy private getaway, that still played true to the all-white building’s origins. With exposed brick walls, white-wood fl oors, vaulted ceilings and terraces that look out onto Mediterranean gardens and the Adriatic Sea, Masseria Petrarolo is an honest, homely and luxurious escape, which doesn’t need to resort to fl amboyant displays of opulence or excessive modernism. Better still, the estate uses renewable energy sources for all house and pool heating, air conditioning and electricity generation. “It was important to create a timeless space that felt it had been there for many years and was considerate to the environment and location,” notes Alexander, summarising the guiding design principles behind the project. Able to hold parties up to twenty, nine distinct monochrome bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms in a range of pastels spread out across the property, modestly fi tted with an assortment of antiques and clean-cut, contemporary and customised furniture. The rooms connect to the main house holding three open- plan kitchens, a dining area and a pool house on one level, forming an engaging structure that seamlessly wraps around the grounds and creates several hidden courtyard and romantic garden spaces, incorporating the building’s surrounding land. For the estate’s furniture, Alexander patiently mixed found and customised pieces in a labour of love. “Acquiring the antiques took around six to eight months,” he says. “And many early visits to markets and antique dealers - Lille road in Fulham provided many of the pieces.” Sitting on an optimal vantage point, the entire all-white property is surrounded by walled gardens, and is punctuated with fi replaces and candlelight for warmth. Wanting to maintain many of the farmhouse’s original features, Alexander initially dedicated his time to researching the local area, studying and reinterpreting the structure. “The fi rst thing we did was understand how this building would be used as a home,” he recalls. “And it was critical that we retained as many of the existing wall arrangement, staircases and fi nishes in the building as possible to ensure a natural evolution of the property.” He found that bringing An interior view of a bedroom at Masseria Petrarolo revamped by Alexander Waterworth Interiors An exterior view of Masseria Petrarolo by Alexander Waterworth Interiors HBI_047_64-67_FEATURE_Alexander Waterworth_11374369.indd 6504/10/2020 06:25:28 PM66 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Autumn 2020 ALL IMAGES COUR TESY OF ALEXANDER W ATER WOR TH INTERIORS The FEATURE out, rather than changing existing features could play into the experience. “Exposing and regenerating fi nishes that have been there since the property was formed was extremely satisfying and incredibly enjoyable, although time-consuming,” he explains, demonstrating the studio’s dedication to delivering longevity in a fast-moving society. The farmhouse’s original drawbridge is now a stone bridge that creates a dramatic entrance. Three trapdoors enable visitors to retreat from the ground fl oor spaces up into the core of the house, and the ancient bell, formerly used to warn inhabitants of an attack, still stands proudly on the rooftop. “Uncompromising and maintaining the history of the building was a key factor to the design authenticity,” Alexander adds. With miles of lavender fi elds and walkways to enjoy, it’s diffi cult to pinpoint a focal point in the rich property. Alexander’s personal favourite? “The orange orchard located just outside the living room. It is a place that can be appreciated both internal and externally, that provides serenity and unlocks the experiences of the property.” ■ A view of the living space An interior view of Masseria Petrarolo An interior view of the bedroom HBI_047_64-67_FEATURE_Alexander Waterworth_11374369.indd 6604/10/2020 06:25:38 PMCREDIT HERE The FEATURE 67 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Autumn 2020 A pool view of Masseria Petrarolo “ U NC OM P R OM I S I N G A N D M A IN T A IN IN G T H E HI S T O R Y O F T H E B U I L D I N G W A S A K E Y F A C T O R T O TH E DE SIG N A U TH E N TIC IT Y ” HBI_047_64-67_FEATURE_Alexander Waterworth_11374369.indd 6704/10/2020 06:25:50 PMCREDIT HERE 68 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Autumn 2020 YOUR LIFE A L U X U R Y MAR V E L Written by AYESHA S. SHEHMIR Photography by BRANDON BARRÉ A contemporary classic masterpiece rooted in the fi ner details, world-renowned interior designer Ferris Rafauli’s Toronto home is a timeless fusion of fashion, art, design and luxury HBI_047_68-75_AFL_Ferris_11383657.indd 6804/10/2020 06:27:12 PMCREDIT HERE Your LIFE 69 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Autumn 2020 Facing page: Ferris Rafauli. This page: Sitting area of an in-house library with furniture designed by Rafauli HBI_047_68-75_AFL_Ferris_11383657.indd 6904/10/2020 06:27:21 PMNext >