#villaterminus

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A DESIGN BOLTHOLE IN BERGEN

In Norway’s second city a former refugee shelter and care home has been lovingly re-imagined as a boutique hotel filled with fabulous mid-century and contemporary furniture and accessories. From Josef Frank to Konstantin Grcic, over 36 designers have pieces featured including the Bouroullec brothers and their pioneering Serif TV. We can’t wait to check-in.

Villa Terminus with its distinctive steeply pitched roofline was originally built in 1770 in the Late Baroque architectural style. The project to restore it is the work of architecture and design practice Claesson Koivisto Rune who’ve worked their magic on everything from art galleries and spas, to fashion stores and log cabins. They’re no slouches at product design either.

The starting point for the interior scheme was the art of Danish painter Vilhelm Hammershøi. The influence of the artist’s scenes of serene, almost empty rooms in muted tones, and a limited palette can be seen throughout the spaces from the breakfast room to the whisky bar.

Collaborating with design dealer Thomas Ekström of Stockholmmodern, helped to create a meaningful meld of new and old. Architect Eero Koivisto said “the mix-up of time fitted us well since we were neither recreating the antiquarian nor building a contemporary statement. By choosing elements of furniture, fittings and colours from different eras – an ancient finish, a mid-century modern vintage accessory here, a contemporary piece of furniture there – the concept of time has surprisingly vanished”.

Leather chairs add a rich hit of colour to the library. No lending ticket required.

The literary theme continues in the cosy 18 bedrooms. Each room is dedicated to a West Norwegian author and features a selection of books specially selected by Bergen Public Library.

That’s our next weekend break sorted.

https://www.villaterminus.no