On the hills overlooking Turin, not far from the Basilica of Superga, there is a villa built in the 1970s and recently renovated to better adapt to the needs of a contemporary family.
The owner, an entrepreneur in the food and wine industry with a passion for cooking, decided to return to live here, together with his wife and two young children, in the house built by his father, where he had spent his youth.
The villa enjoys a privileged position. In fact, from its garden, there is a spectacular view that embraces the Po River, the Mole Antonelliana, Piazza Castello and, in the background, the snow-covered amphitheatre of the Alps.
His desire was to create a large open living area, where everyone can enjoy the daily life of the house together. So, in agreement with his architect, he had all the partition walls on the ground floor demolished, so as to create a large open-space. A very bright environment with large French doors opening onto the garden, for constant eye contact with the outside. A sort of ‘natural frame’ that changes constantly, not only with the changing seasons, but also throughout the day and night.
The large living room is therefore the beating heart of everyday life, a space to share family moments, welcome friends, or even host great parties with the children’s schoolmates.
To give this space a more modern and functional character, the old solid wood kitchen was removed. Instead, an open design kitchen, from the Ego line by Abimis,was designed, entirely made of stainless steel with a hand-orbitally polished finish.
This choice gives the surfaces a warm and velvety tone, which blends perfectly with the dove grey walls, the light wood parquet and the lush green of the garden, which peeps out from the large windows.
The dining-kitchen area is arranged around a central island that, with the integrated breakfast table, serves as both a functional and sociable space. The island is equipped with ovens and drawers; on the top, there is an induction hob with a retractable hood. A second wall element, also from the Ego line, houses the washing area and containers.
The high steel backrest is the backdrop to a wooden shelf – which integrates a glass holder and tool bar – and a row of coordinated cabinets – the latest addition to the Abimis catalogue. Like all the elements in the Ego line, the cabinets have soft and rounded shapes inspired by the 1950s and are characterized by the flush doors with concealed hinges and the iconic ring handles, which the owners chose in the brushed brass version, coordinated with the taps. Under the cupboards, a retractable LED strip lights up the worktop.
To complete the furnishing, a sideboard has been installed in the dining area from the AlterEgo line, also a new product by Abimis, designed to act as a link between the kitchen and the dining area.
The structure is also made of stainless steel with an orbitally polished finish, while the doors have been covered with rosewood, a precious essence with spectacular dark veins.
Today the family enjoys the island kitchen in an intense and dynamic way. During the week, it is the heart of the daily routine. The parents make healthy and tasty dishes, while the children do their homework at the breakfast table. At weekends, however, its ‘convivial’ nature is highlighted. In fact, the owner of the house, loves to cook for friends and colleagues; and on these occasions the island with the integrated table becomes a gathering place. While he works in the kitchen, he can easily chat with guests while enjoying an aperitif with them. The children’s parties are also held in the kitchen. The large top on the island and integrated table are perfect for setting up colourful and tempting buffets before the children run out into the garden where they can play freely. And if it’s raining or cold, no problem – the large living room has space for everyone!
“We chose an Abimis kitchen,” the owners confess, “not only for its quality or functionality, but also for two other reasons. Because we were able to configure it just the way we wanted, according to our needs, and because their design integrates so naturally into an open living space. And then, when we discovered the new alter-Ego sideboards, there was no question about it!”