Old-world charm: a majestic Art Nouveau villa near Zurich

A vast country estate with a Baroque garden
The work on the Art Nouveau villa, which was built in 1914, alongside a chauffeur’s house and a Baroque landscape garden, took four years to complete. It is now used for seminars and conferences, among other things. At the same time, young scholarship holders with artistic backgrounds are also given the opportunity to stay on the premises. The building has been listed since 1993, with every room having been carefully restored and remodelled under strict historical guidelines. Many of the original wallpapers, upholstered walls and floors have been preserved, along with some of the woodwork and historic light fittings.

Classic aesthetics, a modern attitude to life
Guests are greeted in the stately entrance hall by a grand staircase and hand-painted linen wallpaper, made exclusively by British wallpaper manufacturer de Gournay. With their floral vines and birds, they recall the lush gardens and the beauty of the surrounding countryside. Dark wood and a custom-made carpet runner in a cream and raspberry pattern complete the elegant ambience. The majority of the rooms are characterised by light greys, creams and beiges, offset with soft, green tones. The organic colour palette lends lightness to the classic interior. Moreover, modern design elements set deliberate contrasts: the minimalist, ring-shaped pendant lights in the living rooms and bedrooms, for example. Another highlight is the spacious kitchen, where a custom-made, upholstered seating area guarantees a cosy atmosphere.

Transitional style with Vaia from Dornbracht
Each of the 13 bedrooms has its own bathroom. They have been carefully aligned to the surviving aesthetics: glazed Art Nouveau tiles on the walls complement concrete floor tiles, the size and shape of which are based on still-existing originals. Showers, baths, and washstands of wood and natural stone, form minimalist ensembles. These are completed by Vaia in Brushed Platinum. The delicate lines of the Dornbracht fitting combine traditional elegance with clarity and balance. A design principle that is notably present in the large wellness area in the basement: here the use of natural materials – including textured limestone – provides a calming atmosphere.