cutoutforher.‘Itwasa reallyuglyhousewithtiny
windowsanda jungleinfrontthatblockedtheview
ofthebeautifullake,’Hannereveals.‘Butthisis my
speciality– theuglierthehouse,thehappierI am!’
Hanne,whoestablishedherinteriordesignfirminHolland 23 yearsago,setabouttransformingthe
property,communicatingherideasthroughdetailed
sketchesemailedbackandforthoverthecourseofa
year.Whiletheoriginalwallswereretaineddueto
planningrestrictions,virtuallyeveryotheraspect
ofthevillawaschanged.‘I wantedtogiveit more
ofa contextualconnectiontoitsItalianlakeside
surroundings,’ says Hanne. Windows were enlarged
andwallsreplacedwithhugefoldingglassdoors
toenhancetheviewsandopenupthegroundfloor.
‘InfluencedbyhousesinAustraliaandBali,wewanted
a homewherethetransitionbetweenindoorsand
outdoorswasseamless,’saysMo.Travertinestoneslabs
wereusedinboththeinteriorandonthepatiotohelp
achievethis.‘Thestoneis consistentthroughout,the
onlydifferencebeingthatinsidethehouse,it is sealedto
preventstaining,’Moexplains.A free-flowingfloorplan
downstairswasattainedbyopeningupwallsand
enhancedwiththeuseofspace-savingpocketdoors.
FlyingouttoHongKongbeforetheprojectbegan,
Hanne was able to view the couple’s extensive art→inspiRation