Vivid Colours
At the edge of the village of Göschweiler in the Black Forest, the schellisvier sits nestled within a spacious garden surrounded by mature trees.
This historical farmhouse dating from around 1650 was restored with respect for its original structure, using local wood and natural stone to modernise its design. Each of the five holiday apartments embraces the house’s traditional layout: the “Stube” features a bright green tiled stove and extends across two levels, while the “Stall” with its exposed wooden beams and old masonry exudes warmth and cosiness. Immersed in light, the “Schopf” and the “Tenne” open up to the outdoors, and the loft-style “Heustock” delights with an open sleeping gallery. Each apartment has a terrace and access to the garden. The sustainable concept combines tradition with modern aesthetics – demonstrating a fine feel for playing with colours.
Soft Pink and Canary Yellow
With its distinctive façade, Ca la Carolina, located in the hinterland of Spain’s rugged coastline, catches the eye from afar.
The traditional 18th-century stone house glows in soft pink and vibrant yellow, creating a striking contrast with the historical buildings of the small village. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the tiled façade on the upper floor allow sunlight to flood the living space, and the whitewashed brickwork gives the interior a bright, airy feel. While the bedrooms for up to six guests are situated on the north side, the kitchen and living area open up to south-facing outdoor spaces, offering views across the vineyards and olive groves of Catalonia.
Wrapped in Blue
With its unusual cladding, the former fire station Feuer & Flamme catches the eye from afar.
The original pitched roof was replaced by two striking black bonnets, the blue structure of which alludes to the half-timbering typical of the region and contrasts with the natural stone-masonry. The light-flooded interiors are designed with great attention to detail: comfortable leather sofas, red tables and mobile cooking stations allow for flexible use, while a large, custom-made piece of furniture and the skylights evoke the building’s history. Wooden surfaces and fixtures inspired by Japanese colour woodcuts add a cosy feel. The balcony on the top floor offers stunning views over the river landscape of the Saale Valley.
Colours in Glass
The architecture of the Klare Kante holiday home on the Baltic Sea island of Usedom is defined by clean lines and an open-plan layout.
Situated on the forest’s edge, the house opens up towards the surrounding greenery with tow loggias, blending indoor and outdoor spaces. The living area with a fireplace extends over one half of the house, while the kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms occupy the other. Every room has direct access to the garden, and window shutters made from coloured glass add striking accents. The house is a wonderful place to relax, and what’s best: it is just a ten-minute walk from the Baltic Sea and Achterwasser – ideal for a spontaneous swim or a moonlit stroll along the shore.
A Tribute to the 1970s
Designed by Alberto Salvati and Ambrogio Tresoldi in 1972, Casa Salvati sits on the western shore of Lake Garda as part of a holiday home ensemble.
Surrounded by cypress, pine and olive trees, the white cube welcomes guests with a vibrant yellow staircase and a blue, cube-shaped balcony that projects from the façade. Inside, blue tiles laid on the floors and walls in two different patterns lend the house its unique charm. The open layout creates a spacious ambiance: the living area spans both levels, and the gallery upstairs leads to three bedrooms accommodating up to five guests. Everything here is preserved in its original 1970s condition, from floors and windows to the kitchen, bathrooms, built-in units and furnishings – a true homage to 1970s (interior) architecture.
Bauhaus Style
Located in Brno, Czech Republic, Hotel Avion is a striking example of 1920s functionalist architecture.
Built in 1928 by architect Bohuslav Fuchs on a plot only eight metres wide, the ten-storey building fits in seamlessly with its surrounding urban context. The listed hotel has been completely refurbished, retaining original details such as the sash windows and furnishings – the 37 rooms still evoke the charm of the interwar years. Colourful walls, floors and furniture add vibrant accents in all rooms as well as in the restaurant, museum and café areas, while the terrace on the top floor offers panoramic views of the city. For architecture enthusiasts: nearby sites include Villa Tugendhat by Mies van der Rohe and additional works by Fuchs, which are definitely worth a visit.
Deep Black Outside, Sage Green Inside
Overlooking the Grisons mountain village of Vals, the Ariasana holiday home blends modern design with traditional charm.
The façade is finished in a deep black colour; the beams – charred using the Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique – lend the house a unique aesthetic. This contrasts with the soft colours used inside: the wooden panelling, tiles and fixtures in Victorian-era French Grey complement the natural wooden floors and clay-rendered walls. The upper floor houses the kitchen, dining and living rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows affording views of the church spire and Peter Zumthor’s thermal baths. There are two bedrooms and a library at the rear of the house, complemented by an additional bedroom downstairs. Vintage farmhouse furniture and design classics add elegance and authenticity.
Red Tiled Façade
In the midst of ancient olive, fig and lemon trees, architect Cherubino Gambardella has breathed new life into a building ruin above the Gulf of Gaeta: Casa Capriccio Alto showcases a bold and modern take on Mediterranean architecture
Rising from a base of red tiles, the white main building features a rooftop designed as a sun terrace with a pool. Inside, colourful elements contrast with exposed concrete structures, with the colour scheme ranging from lime and olive to lemon shades, while bright red dominates the exterior. Sand-coloured terrazzo floors and white walls create an airy ambience that culminates on the rooftop terrace, complete with three semi-circular pergolas and spectacular views as far as the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Bold Yellow Details
In the Southern Black Forest, the Bleibe Menzenschwand combines modern timber construction with traditional details and vivid colours.
Set atop a tiered concrete slab, the roof that is rotated through 45 degrees and extends down at the sides recalls the sheltering roof designs of classic Black Forest houses. The entrance door and window frames in bright yellow provide lively colour accents, while shades of pink and green dominate the interior. With six levels, large panoramic windows and a balcony, the holiday home affords expansive views of the surrounding landscape. The flowing sequence of rooms and the architects’ customised, harmonious interior design create a generous, inviting sense of space with plenty of light and individuality.
Clean Lines and Colours
The Paramount Alma above Sexten bring modern alpine architecture to the Dolomites, combining clean lines and colours with bold geometry.
Part of the building is embedded in the steep hillside, while the main structure seems to float above the parking level. Larch wood slats wrap around the exterior and extend into the entrance area as ceiling panelling. Large windows open up the apartments to the outside – the bright interiors featuring red, green and grey shades are characterised by innovative layouts, streamlined design and natural materials. The spacious balconies offer sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. An underground passage connects the building to Hotel Rainer, where guests can enjoy additional amenities.
Text / Compilation: Tina Barankay & Anne-Birga Niepelt
Photos: © Boo Yeah, Tuulikki Jäger (Cover picture: Casa Capriccio Alto), © Bernhard Strauss Fotografie (schellisvier), © Pol Viladoms (Ca la Carolina), © Iona Dutz (Feuer & Flamme), © Svenja Bockhop (Klare Kante), © Simone u. Ulrich Grau (Casa Salvati), © Stanislav Berousek (Avion Hotel), © Martin Hemmi (Ariasana), © Boo Yeah, Tuulikki Jäger (Casa Capriccio Alto), © Matthias Schmid (Bleibe Menzenschwand), Andrea Zanchi Photography (Paramount Alma)
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